bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonal variations of snow chemistry at NEEM, Greenland
Authors: Kuramoto Takayuki , Goto-Azuma Kumiko , Hirabayashi Motohiro , Miyake Takayuki , Motoyama Hideaki , Dahl-Jensen Dorthe , Steffensen Jørgen Peder 
Published: September 2011

AbstarctWe conducted a pit study in July 2009 at the NEEM (North Greenland Eemian Ice Drilling) deep ice-coring site in northwest Greenland. To examine the seasonal variations of snow chemistry and characteristics of the drill site, we collected snow/firn samples from the wall of a 2 m deep pit at intervals of 0.03 m and analyzed them for electric conductivity, pH, Cl–, NO3–, SO42–, CH3SO3– (MSA), Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+ and stable isotopes of water (δ18O and δD). Pronounced seasonal variations in the stable isotopes of water were observed, which indicated that the snow had accumulated regularly during the past 4 years. Concentrations of Na+, Cl– and Mg2+, which largely originate from sea salt, peaked in winter to early spring, while Ca2+, which mainly originates from mineral dust, peaked in late winter to spring, slightly later than Na+, Cl– and Mg2+. Concentrations of NO3– showed double peaks, one in summer and the other in winter to spring, whereas those of SO42– peaked in winter to spring. The winter-to-spring concentrations of NO3– and SO42– seem to have been strongly influenced by anthropogenic inputs. Concentrations of MSA showed double peaks, one in spring and the other in late summer to autumn. Our study confirms that the NEEM deep ice core can be absolutely dated to a certain depth by counting annual layers, using the seasonal variations of stable isotopes of water and those of ions. We calculated the annual surface mass balance for the years 2006–08. The mean annual balance was 176 mm w.e., and the balances for winter-to-summer and summer-to-winter halves of the year were 98 and 78 mm, respectively. Snow deposition during the winter-to-summer half of the year was greater than that during the summer-to-winter half by 10–20mm for all three years covered by this study.
On Various Ways of Measuring Pro-Poor Growth
Authors: Deutsch Joseph , Silber Jacques 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThis paper examines three possible approaches to pro-poor growth. The first one assumes that the poverty line remains constant in real terms over time. The second perspective examines the case where the poverty line is equal to half the median of the income distribution but assumes that such a poverty line is determined exogenously. Finally we also propose a third type of decomposition of the change in poverty, one which is obtained when the poverty line is assumed to be endogenous.In addition, whatever the assumption made concerning the poverty line, we take both a relative and an absolute approach to inequality measurement when defining pro-poor growth. With a relative approach to pro-poor growth it is assumed that inequality does not to vary when all incomes are multiplied by a constant whereas, with an absolute approach to pro-poor growth, inequality is supposed not to vary when an equal sum is added to all incomes. The empirical illustration covers the period 1990–2006 in Israel and the analysis is based on the use of the FGT poverty index. It turns out that the assumptions made concerning the way the poverty line is defined and the choice between a relative and an absolute approach to pro-poor growth greatly affect the results. As a whole however growth was pro-rich in Israel during the 1990–2006 period.
2009 Influenza Pandemic Impact on Sick Leave Use in the Veterans Health Administration: Framework for a Health Care Provider–Based National Syndromic Surveillance System
Authors: Schult Tamara M. , Awosika Ebi R. , Hodgson Michael J. , Martinello Richard A. 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTObjective:To determine relations between sick leave use and the 2009 novel influenza A (H1N1) influenza pandemic among clinical and nonclinical staff in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).Methods:Aggregate sick leave use for all VHA employees was monitored in near-real time during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic and compared with historical data from 2004 to 2008. The ratio of sick leave use between clinical and nonclinical staff was examined. An autoregressive integrated moving average model was used to assess whether the pandemic had a significant effect on sick leave use.Results:The H1N1 influenza pandemic was associated with a significant effect on sick leave use in the VHA during the second wave of the pandemic. During this wave, the ratio of clinical to nonclinical sick leave use changed; clinical staff began taking more leave than nonclinical staff for 3 successive 2-week pay periods, with ratio measures of 1.004, 1.018, and 1.011, respectively. Using an autoregressive integrated moving average model with a pulse variable representing the pandemic, there was a significant effect on sick leave use. The average hours of sick leave used per full-time equivalent staff member per month increased by 0.3904 hours (P= .003) for clinical staff and 0.3898 hours (P= .01) for nonclinical staff over previous months during the first month of the second pandemic wave.Conclusions:Work loss associated with a pandemic is an important indicator of disease activity and may be a more sensitive indicator of emerging strains than deaths. Monitoring sick leave use in near real time in a large national health care system may be an important early indicator of pandemic severity with practical implications that should be considered in addition to more traditional measures of influenza epidemic and pandemic severity.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2011;5:S235-S241)
Impact of the Northridge Earthquake on the Mental Health of Veterans: Results From a Panel Study
Authors: Dobalian Aram , Stein Judith A. , Heslin Kevin C. , Riopelle Deborah , Venkatesh Brinda , Lanto Andrew B. , Simon Barbara , Yano Elizabeth M. , Rubenstein Lisa V. 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTObjective:The 1994 earthquake that struck Northridge, California, led to the closure of the Veterans Health Administration Medical Center at Sepulveda. This article examines the earthquake's impact on the mental health of an existing cohort of veterans who had previously used the Sepulveda Veterans Health Administration Medical Center.Methods:From 1 to 3 months after the disaster, trained interviewers made repeated attempts to contact participants by telephone to administer a repeated measures follow-up design survey based on a survey that had been done preearthquake. Postearthquake data were obtained on 1144 of 1800 (64%) male veterans for whom there were previous data. We tested a predictive latent variable path model of the relations between sociodemographic characteristics, predisaster physical and emotional health measures, and postdisaster emotional health and perceived earthquake impact.Results:Perceived earthquake impact was predicted by predisaster emotional distress, functional limitations, and number of health conditions. Postdisaster emotional distress was predicted by preexisting emotional distress and earthquake impact. The regression coefficient from earthquake impact to postearthquake emotional distress was larger than that of the stability coefficient from preearthquake emotional distress. Postearthquake emotional distress also was affected indirectly by preearthquake emotional distress, health conditions, younger age, and lower socioeconomic status.Conclusions:The postdisaster emotional health of veterans who experienced greater earthquake impact would have likely benefited from postdisaster intervention, regardless of their predisaster emotional health. Younger veterans and veterans with generally poor physical and emotional health were more vulnerable to greater postearthquake emotional distress. Veterans of lower socioeconomic status were disproportionately likely to experience more effects of the disaster because they had more predisaster emotional distress, more functional limitations, and a greater number of health conditions. Because many veterans use non–Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care providers for at least some of their health needs, future disaster planning for both VA and non-VA providers should incorporate interventions targeted at these groups.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2011;5:S220-S226)
Changes in hand bone mineral density and the association with the level of disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Bone mineral density measurements in a multicenter randomized clinical trial
Authors: Dirven L. , Güler‐Yüksel M. , de Beus W. M. , Ronday H. K. , Speyer I. , Huizinga T. W. J. , Dijkmans B. A. C. , Allaart C. F. , Lems W. F. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo determine if metacarpal bone mineral density (mBMD) gain occurs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). If mBMD loss is driven by inflammation, we expect to find mBMD gain in patients who are in remission.MethodsmBMD was measured by digital x‐ray radiogrammetry in consecutive radiographs of 145 patients with RA with either continuous high disease activity (HDA; Disease Activity Score [DAS] >2.4), low disease activity (LDA; 1.6 ≥ DAS ≤ 2.4), or continuous clinical remission (CR; DAS <1.6) during a 1‐year observation period. The association of mBMD changes with disease activity was investigated with multinomial regression analysis. Next, clinical variables associated with mBMD gain were identified.ResultsMean change in mBMD in CR patients was −0.03%, compared to −3.13% and −2.03% in HDA and LDA patients, respectively (overall, P < 0.001). Of the patients in CR, 32% had mBMD loss (less than or equal to −4.6 mg/cm2/year), compared to 62% and 66% of the patients with HDA or LDA, respectively, whereas 26% of the patients in CR had mBMD gain (≥4.6 mg/cm2/year), compared to 2% of the patients with HDA and 5% of the patients with LDA. Patients in CR had a higher chance of having mBMD gain, compared with LDA and HDA (relative risk [RR] 14.9, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 3.0–18.7 and RR 4.7, 95% CI 1.2–6.3, respectively). CR, hormone replacement therapy, and lower age were significant independent predictors of mBMD gain.ConclusionIn RA, mBMD gain occurs primarily in patients in continuous (≥1 year) CR and rarely in patients with continuous HDA or LDA. This suggests that mBMD loss is driven by inflammation.
Associations of knee extensor strength and standing balance with physical function in knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Pua Yong‐Hao , Liang Zhiqi , Ong Peck‐Hoon , Bryant Adam L. , Lo Ngai‐Nung , Clark Ross A. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractObjectiveKnee extensor strength is an important correlate of physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis; however, it remains unclear whether standing balance is also a correlate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cross‐sectional associations of knee extensor strength, standing balance, and their interaction with physical function.MethodsOne hundred four older adults with end‐stage knee osteoarthritis awaiting a total knee replacement (mean ± SD age 67 ± 8 years) participated. Isometric knee extensor strength was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer. Standing balance performance was measured by the center of pressure displacement during quiet standing on a balance board. Physical function was measured by the self‐report Short Form 36 (SF‐36) questionnaire and by the 10‐meter fast‐pace gait speed test.ResultsAfter adjustment for demographic and knee pain variables, we detected significant knee strength by standing balance interaction terms for both SF‐36 physical function and fast‐pace gait speed. Interrogation of the interaction revealed that standing balance in the anteroposterior plane was positively related to physical function among patients with lower knee extensor strength. Conversely, among patients with higher knee extensor strength, the standing balance–physical function associations were, or tended to be, negative.ConclusionThese findings suggest that although standing balance was related to physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis, this relationship was complex and dependent on knee extensor strength level. These results are of importance in developing intervention strategies and refining theoretical models, but they call for further study.
Relationship between beliefs, motivation, and worries about physical activity and physical activity participation in persons with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Ehrlich‐Jones Linda , Lee Jungwha , Semanik Pamela , Cox Cheryl , Dunlop Dorothy , Chang Rowland W. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the relationship between beliefs, motivation, and worries about physical activity and physical activity participation in persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsA cross‐sectional study used baseline data from 185 adults with RA enrolled in a randomized clinical trial assessing the effectiveness of an intervention to promote physical activity. Data included patients' self‐reported beliefs that physical activity can be beneficial for their disease, motivation for physical activity participation, worries about physical activity participation, and average daily accelerometer counts of activity over a week's time. Body mass index (BMI), sex, age, race, and disease activity were measured as potential statistical moderators of physical activity.ResultsPhysical activity participation was greater for those with higher scores on scales measuring beliefs that physical activity is beneficial for their disease (P for trend = 0.032) and motivation for physical activity participation (P for trend = 0.007) when adjusted for age, sex, BMI, race, and disease activity. There was a positive but nonsignificant trend in physical activity participation in relation to worries.ConclusionStronger beliefs that physical activity can be helpful for managing disease and increased motivation to engage in physical activity are related to higher levels of physical activity participation. These data provide a preliminary empirical rationale for why interventions targeting these concepts should lead to improved physical activity participation in adults with RA.
Experimental knee joint pain during strength training and muscle strength gain in healthy subjects: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Sørensen T. J. , Langberg H. , Hodges P. W. , Bliddal H. , Henriksen M. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractObjectiveKnee joint pain and reduced quadriceps strength are cardinal symptoms in many knee pathologies. In people with painful knee pathologies, quadriceps exercise reduces pain, improves physical function, and increases muscle strength. A general assumption is that pain compromises muscle function and thus may prevent effective rehabilitation. This study evaluated the effects of experimental knee joint pain during quadriceps strength training on muscle strength gain in healthy individuals.MethodsTwenty‐seven healthy untrained volunteers participated in a randomized controlled trial of quadriceps strengthening (3 times per week for 8 weeks). Participants were randomized to perform resistance training either during pain induced by injections of painful hypertonic saline (pain group, n = 13) or during a nonpainful control condition with injection of isotonic saline (control group, n = 14) into the infrapatellar fat pad. The primary outcome measure was change in maximal isokinetic muscle strength in knee extension/flexion (60, 120, and 180 degrees/second).ResultsThe group who exercised with pain had a significantly larger improvement in isokinetic muscle strength at all angular velocities of knee extension compared to the control group. In knee flexion there were improvements in isokinetic muscle strength in both groups with no between‐group differences.ConclusionExperimental knee joint pain improved the training‐induced gain in muscle strength following 8 weeks of quadriceps training. It remains to be studied whether knee joint pain has a positive effect on strength gain in patients with knee pathology.
Vibratory perception threshold in young and middle‐aged patients at high risk of knee osteoarthritis compared to controls
Authors: Thorlund Jonas Bloch , Shakoor Najia , Ageberg Eva , Sandal Louise Fleng , Block Joel A. , Roos Ewa M. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractObjectiveVibratory perception threshold (VPT) is impaired in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). It is, however, not known if sensory deficits precede or follow as a consequence of OA. The aim of this study was to investigate VPT in 2 independent groups of patients with high risk of future OA (young anterior cruciate ligament [ACL]‐injured patients and middle‐aged meniscectomized patients) and compare them to age‐matched controls.MethodsVPT was assessed at the medial malleolus (MM) and medial femoral condyle (MFC) in 2 independent groups of patients and matched controls: ACL‐injured patients (n = 39, mean ± SD age 24.0 ± 5.2 years, mean ± SD BMI 24.0 ± 2.9 kg/m2, mean ± SD time since injury 21.9 ± 21.6 months) and controls (n = 28, mean ± SD age 25.6 ± 4.4 years, mean ± SD BMI 23.6 ± 2.2 kg/m2), and meniscectomized patients (n = 22, mean ± SD age 49.6 ± 4.8 years, mean ± SD BMI 24.7 ± 2.7 kg/m2, mean ± SD time since surgery 49.6 ± 5.0 months) and controls (n = 25, mean ± SD age 49.4 ± 5.2 years, mean ± SD BMI 25.2 ± 4.9 kg/m2).ResultsACL‐injured patients had a better VPT than controls at the MM (P = 0.030), which persisted after adjusting for age and sex (P = 0.034). At the MFC, there was a similar trend in favor of ACL injured patients (unadjusted P = 0.093, adjusted P = 0.122). No differences were seen in VPT at the MM between meniscectomized patients and controls, whereas there was a tendency for better VPT in meniscectomized patients at the MFC (unadjusted P = 0.085, adjusted P = 0.092).ConclusionImpaired vibratory sensation could not be confirmed in 2 independent groups of patients compared to age‐matched controls, suggesting that impaired vibratory sense is not present in knee‐injured patients at high risk or in the very early phase of knee OA.
Cardiovascular and other comorbidities in patients with psoriatic arthritis: A comparison with patients with psoriasis
Authors: Husted Janice A. , Thavaneswaran Arane , Chandran Vinod , Eder Lihi , Rosen Cheryl F. , Cook Richard J. , Gladman Dafna D. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether the presence of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is associated with greater comorbidity, in particular cardiovascular morbidity, compared to psoriasis without arthritis.MethodsSix hundred eleven patients with PsA were recruited from the University of Toronto Psoriatic Arthritis Clinic and 449 psoriasis without arthritis patients were recruited from the University of Toronto Psoriasis Cohort. The clinical database was used to identify the prevalence of cardiovascular and other comorbidities in both PsA and psoriasis without arthritis patients. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate odds ratios (ORs), comparing the odds of ever having a given comorbid disease in PsA patients with those in psoriasis without arthritis patients. Covariates included age, sex, education, smoking status, severity and duration of psoriasis, medication status, and other comorbidities.ResultsThe prevalence of hypertension, obesity, hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and at least 1 cardiovascular event in PsA patients was 37.1%, 30.0%, 20.7%, 12.0%, and 8.2%, respectively. This was significantly higher than in psoriasis without arthritis patients, with unadjusted ORs ranging from 1.54 to 2.59. In the multivariate analyses, hypertension remained significantly elevated (adjusted OR 2.17). PsA was also significantly associated with infections not treated with antibiotics (presumably viral), neurologic conditions, gastrointestinal disorders, and liver disease (adjusted ORs 2.83, 4.76, 21.53, and 7.74, respectively). Infections treated with antibiotics and depression/anxiety were relatively common in PsA, with a prevalence of 30.5% and 20.7%, respectively. However, this was not significantly different from psoriasis without arthritis after multivariate adjustments.ConclusionThe results suggest that inflammatory joint disease may play a role in both cardiovascular and noncardiovascular morbidity in PsA.
Merging Veterans Affairs rheumatoid arthritis registry and pharmacy data to assess methotrexate adherence and disease activity in clinical practice
Authors: Cannon Grant W. , Mikuls Ted R. , Hayden Candace L. , Ying Jian , Curtis Jeffrey R. , Reimold Andreas M. , Caplan Liron , Kerr Gail S. , Richards J. Steuart , Johnson Dannette S. , Sauer Brian C. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractObjectiveThe Veterans Affairs (VA) Rheumatoid Arthritis (VARA) registry and the VA Pharmacy Benefits Management database were linked to determine the association of methotrexate (MTX) adherence with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity.MethodsFor each patient, the medication possession ratio (MPR) was calculated for the first episode of MTX exposure of a duration of ≥12 weeks for both new and established MTX users. High MTX adherence was defined as an MPR ≥0.80 and low MTX adherence was defined as an MPR <0.80. For each patient, the mean Disease Activity Score with 28 joints (DAS28) score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C‐reaction protein (CRP) level observed during registry followup were compared in high‐ versus low‐adherence groups.ResultsIn 455 RA patients, the prescribed doses of MTX (mean ± SD 16 ± 4 mg versus 16 ± 4 mg; P = 0.6) were similar in high‐adherence patients (n = 370) in comparison to low‐adherence patients (n = 85). However, the actual observed MTX doses taken by patients were significantly higher in the high‐adherence group (mean ± SD 16 ± 5 mg versus 11 ± 3 mg; P < 0.001). DAS28 (mean ± SD 3.6 ± 1.2 versus 3.9 ± 1.5; P < 0.02), ESR (mean ± SD 24 ± 18 versus 29 ± 24 mm/hour; P = 0.05), and CRP level (mean ± SD 1.2 ± 1.3 versus 1.6 ± 1.5 mg/dl; P < 0.03) were lower in the high‐adherence group compared to those with low MTX adherence. These variances were not explained by differences in baseline demographic features, concurrent treatments, or whether MTX was initiated before or after VARA enrollment.ConclusionHigh MTX adherence was associated with improved clinical outcomes in RA patients treated with MTX. Adjustment for potential confounders did not alter the estimated effect of adherence. These results demonstrate the advantages of being able to merge clinical observations with pharmacy databases to evaluate antirheumatic drugs in clinical practice.
Unusual Photoluminescence of CaHfO3 and SrHfO3 Nanoparticles
Authors: Rauwel Erwan , Galeckas Augustinas , Rauwel Protima , Fjellvåg Helmer 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThis article reports on optical properties of SrHfO3 and CaHfO3 nanoparticles with sizes as small as 1.6 nm, synthesized via non aqueous sol–gel routs for the first time. An unexpectedly strong luminescence from the undoped nanoparticles was observed in the visible spectrum over a wide temperature range, also exhibiting sensitivity to temperature variation and surrounding ambient (vacuum/air) and exposure time to UV light. A tentative model is proposed to explain these phenomena in terms of luminescent centers located at the surface of the nanoparticles.