bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cluster‐based ensemble of classifiers
Authors: Rahman Ashfaqur , Verma Brijesh 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThis paper presents cluster‐based ensemble classifier – an approach toward generating ensemble of classifiers using multiple clusters within classified data. Clustering is incorporated to partition data set into multiple clusters of highly correlated data that are difficult to separate otherwise and different base classifiers are used to learn class boundaries within the clusters. As the different base classifiers engage on different difficult‐to‐classify subsets of the data, the learning of the base classifiers is more focussed and accurate. A selection rather than fusion approach achieves the final verdict on patterns of unknown classes. The impact of clustering on the learning parameters and accuracy of a number of learning algorithms including neural network, support vector machine, decision tree and k‐NN classifier is investigated. A number of benchmark data sets from the UCI machine learning repository were used to evaluate the cluster‐based ensemble classifier and the experimental results demonstrate its superiority over bagging and boosting.
Intervertebral disc degeneration: evidence for two distinct phenotypes
Authors: Adams Michael A. , Dolan Patricia 
Published: August 2012

AbstractWe review the evidence that there are two types of disc degeneration. ‘Endplate‐driven’ disc degeneration involves endplate defects and inwards collapse of the annulus, has a high heritability, mostly affects discs in the upper lumbar and thoracic spine, often starts to develop before age 30 years, usually leads to moderate back pain, and is associated with compressive injuries such as a fall on the buttocks. ‘Annulus‐driven’ disc degeneration involves a radial fissure and/or a disc prolapse, has a low heritability, mostly affects discs in the lower lumbar spine, develops progressively after age 30 years, usually leads to severe back pain and sciatica, and is associated with repetitive bending and lifting. The structural defects which initiate the two processes both act to decompress the disc nucleus, making it less likely that the other defect could occur subsequently, and in this sense the two disc degeneration phenotypes can be viewed as distinct.
Patterns and processes in crop domestication: an historical review and quantitative analysis of 203 global food crops
Authors: Meyer Rachel S. , DuVal Ashley E. , Jensen Helen R. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryDomesticated food crops are derived from a phylogenetically diverse assemblage of wild ancestors through artificial selection for different traits. Our understanding of domestication, however, is based upon a subset of well‐studied ‘model’ crops, many of them from the Poaceae family. Here, we investigate domestication traits and theories using a broader range of crops. We reviewed domestication information (e.g. center of domestication, plant traits, wild ancestors, domestication dates, domestication traits, early and current uses) for 203 major and minor food crops. Compiled data were used to test classic and contemporary theories in crop domestication. Many typical features of domestication associated with model crops, including changes in ploidy level, loss of shattering, multiple origins, and domestication outside the native range, are less common within this broader dataset. In addition, there are strong spatial and temporal trends in our dataset. The overall time required to domesticate a species has decreased since the earliest domestication events. The frequencies of some domestication syndrome traits (e.g. nonshattering) have decreased over time, while others (e.g. changes to secondary metabolites) have increased. We discuss the influences of the ecological, evolutionary, cultural and technological factors that make domestication a dynamic and ongoing process.

Contents

Summary
29

I.
Introduction
30

II.
Key concepts and definitions
30

III.
Methods of review and analysis
35

IV.
Trends identified from the review of 203 crops
37

V.
Life cycle
38

VI.
Ploidy level
40

VII.
Reproductive strategies
42

VIII.
The domestication syndrome
42

IX.
Spatial and temporal trends
42

X.
Utilization of plant parts
44

XI.
Conclusions
44

Acknowledgements
45

References
45
Do family members agree on family purchase decision? – an empirical study among families in Hong Kong
Authors: Wut Tai Ming , Chou Ting‐Jui 
Published: August 2012

AbstractFamily decision making is one of the most important consumer decisions. It is complicated because all family members can be involved in the decision‐making process. The current study examined the impact of perceived buying preferences of individual family member on perceived family buying preferences. A new family decision‐making model with family members’ buying preference is proposed based on resources theory, social learning theory and family system theory. It is found that there is a synergy effect in a family decision‐making process. The synergy effect is expressed as positive correlations between individual family members buying preferences. Quota sampling was adopted to collect primary data in Hong Kong using triadic approach. Managerial implications and future research directions are suggested.
Effect of obstetric team training on team performance and medical technical skills: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Fransen AF , van de Ven J , Merién AER , de Wit‐Zuurendonk LD , Houterman S , Mol BW , Oei SG 
Published: August 2012

Please cite this paper as: Fransen A, van de Ven J, Merién A, de Wit‐Zuurendonk L, Houterman S, Mol B, Oei S. Effect of obstetric team training on team performance and medical technical skills: a randomised controlled trial. BJOG 2012;119:1387–1393.Objective  To determine whether obstetric team training in a medical simulation centre improves the team performance and utilisation of appropriate medical technical skills of healthcare professionals.Design  Cluster randomised controlled trial.Setting  The Netherlands.Sample  The obstetric departments of 24 Dutch hospitals.Methods  The obstetric departments were randomly assigned to a 1‐day session of multiprofessional team training in a medical simulation centre or to no such training. Team training was given with high‐fidelity mannequins by an obstetrician and a communication expert. More than 6 months following training, two unannounced simulated scenarios were carried out in the delivery rooms of all 24 obstetric departments. The scenarios, comprising a case of shoulder dystocia and a case of amniotic fluid embolism, were videotaped. The team performance and utilisation of appropriate medical skills were evaluated by two independent experts.Main outcome measures  Team performance evaluated with the validated Clinical Teamwork Scale (CTS) and the employment of two specific obstetric procedures for the two clinical scenarios in the simulation (delivery of the baby with shoulder dystocia in the maternal all‐fours position and conducting a perimortem caesarean section within 5 minutes for the scenario of amniotic fluid embolism).Results  Seventy‐four obstetric teams from 12 hospitals in the intervention group underwent teamwork training between November 2009 and July 2010. The teamwork performance in the training group was significantly better in comparison to the nontraining group (median CTS score: 7.5 versus 6.0, respectively; P = 0.014). The use of the predefined obstetric procedures for the two clinical scenarios was also significantly more frequent in the training group compared with the nontraining group (83 versus 46%, respectively; P = 0.009).Conclusions  Team performance and medical technical skills may be significantly improved after multiprofessional obstetric team training in a medical simulation centre.
Uterine balloon tamponade for the treatment of postpartum haemorrhage in resource‐poor settings: a systematic review
Authors: Tindell K , Garfinkel R , Abu‐Haydar E , Ahn R , Burke TF , Conn K , Eckardt M 
Published: August 2012

Background  Effective interventions addressing postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) are critically needed to reduce maternal mortality worldwide. Uterine balloon tamponade (UBT) has been shown to be an effective technique to treat PPH in developed countries, but has not been examined in resource‐poor settings.Objectives  This literature review examines the effectiveness of UBT for the treatment and management of PPH in resource‐poor settings.Search strategy  Publications were sought through searches of five electronic databases: Medline, Cochrane Reference Libraries, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Embase and Popline.Selection criteria  Titles and abstracts were screened for eligibility by two independent reviewers. Each reviewer evaluated the full text of potentially eligible articles by defined inclusion criteria, including the presentation of empirical data and use of UBT in resource‐poor settings to treat PPH.Data collection and analysis  Full text of all eligible publications was collected and systematically coded.Main results  The search identified 13 studies that met the inclusion criteria: six case reports or case series, five prospective studies and two retrospective studies for a total of 241 women. No randomised controlled trials were identified. The studies used various types of UBT, including condom catheter (n = 193), Foley catheter (n = 5) and Sengstaken–Blakemore oesophageal tube (n = 1). In these studies, primarily conducted in tertiary‐care settings rather than lower‐level health facilities, UBT successfully treated PPH in 234 out of 241 women.Conclusions  UBT is an effective treatment for PPH in resource‐poor settings. Further study of UBT interventions is necessary to better understand the barriers to successful implementation and use in these settings.
On computing the 2‐diameter ‐constrained K ‐reliability of networks
Authors: Canale Eduardo , Cancela Héctor , Robledo Franco , Rubino Gerardo , Sartor Pablo 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThis article considers a communication network modeled by a graph and a distinguished set of terminal nodes . We assume that the nodes never fail, but the edges fail randomly and independently with known probabilities. The classical K ‐reliability problem computes the probability that the subnetwork is composed only by the surviving edges in such a way that all terminals communicate with each other. The d ‐diameter ‐constrained K ‐reliability generalization also imposes the constraint that each pair of terminals must be the extremes of a surviving path of approximately d length. It allows modeling communication network situations in which limits exist on the acceptable delay times or on the amount of hops that packets can undergo. Both problems have been shown to be NP ‐hard, yet the complexity of certain subproblems remains undetermined. In particular, when , it was an open question whether the instances with were solvable in polynomial time. In this paper, we prove that when and is a fixed parameter (i.e. not an input) the problem turns out to be polynomial in the number of nodes of the network (in fact linear). We also introduce an algorithm to compute these cases in such time and also provide two numerical examples.
Differential activation of the μ‐opioid receptor by oxycodone and morphine in pain‐related brain regions in a bone cancer pain model
Authors: Nakamura Atsushi , Hasegawa Minoru , Minami Kazuhisa , Kanbara Tomoe , Tomii Takako , Nishiyori Atsushi , Narita Minoru , Suzuki Tsutomu , Kato Akira 
Published: August 2012

Background and PurposeBone cancer pain is chronic and often difficult to control with opioids. However, recent studies have shown that several opioids have distinct analgesic profiles in chronic pain.Experimental ApproachTo clarify the mechanisms underlying these distinct analgesic profiles, functional changes in the μ‐opioid receptor were examined using a mouse femur bone cancer (FBC) model.Key ResultsIn the FBC model, the Bmax of [3H]‐DAMGO binding was reduced by 15–45% in the periaqueductal grey matter (PAG), region ventral to the PAG (vPAG), mediodorsal thalamus (mTH), ventral thalamus and spinal cord. Oxycodone (10−8–10−5 M) and morphine (10−8–10−5 M) activated [35S]‐GTPγS binding, but the activation was significantly attenuated in the PAG, vPAG, mTH and spinal cord in the FBC model. Interestingly, the attenuation of oxycodone‐induced [35S]‐GTPγS binding was quite limited (9–26%) in comparison with that of morphine (46–65%) in the PAG, vPAG and mTH, but not in the spinal cord. Furthermore, i.c.v. oxycodone at doses of 0.02–1.0 μg per mouse clearly inhibited pain‐related behaviours, such as guarding, limb‐use abnormalities and allodynia‐like behaviour in the FBC model mice, while i.c.v. morphine (0.05–2.0 μg per mouse) had only partial or little analgesic effect on limb‐use abnormalities and allodynia‐like behaviour.Conclusion and ImplicationsThese results show that μ‐opioid receptor functions are attenuated in several pain‐related regions in bone cancer in an agonist‐dependent manner, and suggest that modification of the μ‐opioid receptor is responsible for the distinct analgesic effect of oxycodone and morphine.
Efficacy Comparison Between Simple Mixed‐Dilution and Simple Mid‐Dilution On‐Line Hemodiafiltration Techniques: A Crossover Study
Authors: Susantitaphong Paweena , Tiranathanagul Khajohn , Katavetin Pisut , Hanwiwatwong Orawadee , Wittayalertpanya Supeecha , Praditpornsilpa Kearkiat , Tungsanga Kriang , Eiam‐Ong Somchai 
Published: August 2012

AbstractMid‐dilution and mixed‐dilution on‐line hemodiafiltration (OL‐HDF) techniques are innovated to overcome the limitations of two standard techniques including predilution and postdilution. Unfortunately, the head‐to‐head comparisons between these two novel techniques in the same study are still limited. Moreover, the original mid‐dilution and mixed‐dilution OL‐HDF need special dialyzers and special machines. In the present study, simple mid‐dilution and simple mixed‐dilution OL‐HDF were settled with the aim for clinical use in general hemodialysis (HD) centers. The efficacies of uremic toxins removal between both modalities were measured and compared. This prospective randomized crossover study was conducted on 12 stable HD patients undergoing simple mixed‐dilution and simple mid‐dilution OL‐HDF techniques. HD prescriptions were similar in both techniques. The dialysis efficacies were determined by calculating small‐ (urea, creatinine, and phosphate) and middle‐molecule (beta‐2 microglobulin [β2M]) removal. Moreover, potential complications such as high transmembrane pressure (TMP) and protein loss were also observed. Simple mixed‐dilution OL‐HDF provided significantly greater clearances of urea, creatinine, and β2M when compared with the simple mid‐dilution OL‐HDF techniques. Phosphate clearances in both techniques were comparable. In addition, TMP and dialysate albumin loss were not different. There were no intradialytic complications in both techniques. Simple mixed‐dilution OL‐HDF could provide greater efficacy for small‐ and middle‐molecule clearances and acceptable potential risks, while phosphate removal is comparable.
A randomized controlled trial of flunarizine as add‐on therapy and effect on cognitive outcome in children with infantile spasms
Authors: Bitton Jonathan Y. , Sauerwein Hannelore C. , Weiss Shelly K. , Donner Elizabeth J. , Whiting Sharon , Dooley Joseph M. , Snead Carter , Farrell Kevin , Wirrell Elaine C. , Mohamed Ismail S. , Ronen Gabriel M. , Salas‐Prato Milagros , Amre Devendra , Lassonde Maryse , Carmant Lionel 
Published: August 2012

SummaryPurpose:  Cognitive impairment is observed commonly in children with a history of infantile spasms (IS). The goal of this study was to prospectively examine the effect on cognitive outcome of a neuroprotective agent used as adjunctive therapy during treatment of the spasms.Methods:  In a randomized controlled trial, patients received a standardized therapy plus flunarizine or placebo. The standardized treatment consisted of vigabatrin as first‐line therapy. Nonresponders were switched to intramuscular synthetic adrenocorticotropic hormone (sACTH depot) after 2 weeks and, if necessary, to topiramate after two additional weeks. The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (VABS) and Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID) were used as outcome measures 24 months after the intervention.Key Findings:  Sixty‐eight of 101 children diagnosed over 3 years in seven centers in Canada received either adjunctive flunarizine or placebo. Sixty‐five of the 68 children (96%) became spasm‐free within 8 weeks and no late relapse occurred. Bayley and Vineland results were available at baseline and at 24 months in 45 children. There was no significant difference in the BSID developmental quotient between the flunarizine‐ and placebo‐treated children at baseline (44.3 ± 35.5 vs. 30.9 ± 29.8; p = 0.18) or 24 months later (56.9 ± 33.3 vs. 46 ± 34.2; p = 0.29). However, the 10 flunarizine‐treated children with no identified etiology had a better outcome than the eight controls at 24 months on both the Vineland Scale (84.1 ± 11.3 vs. 72.3 ± 9.8; p = 0.03) and the Bayley Scale (87.6 ± 14.7 vs. 69.9 ± 25.3; p = 0.07).Significance:  Our study failed to demonstrate a protective effect of flunarizine on cognitive outcome in a cohort of children with IS. An analysis of subgroups suggested that flunarizine may further improve cognitive outcome in children with no identified etiology.
Electrocardiographic Abnormalities in Centenarians and Octogenarians: A Case‐Matched Study
Authors: Moubarak Ghassan , Algalarrondo Vincent , Badenco Nicolas , Guiot Aurélie , Guillausseau Pierre‐Jean , Bergmann Jean‐François , Bardin Thomas , Leenhardt Antoine , Solal Alain Cohen 
Published: August 2012

Backround: Centenarians have been proposed as a model of successful aging but recent studies suggest a high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. Some findings on their electrocardiograms (ECGs) are simply age‐related and others mirror underlying diseases. We aimed to identify ECG features truly associated with extreme age.Methods: Retrospective analysis of 55 centenarians hospitalized between January 2000 and June 2010. Each centenarian was matched with three octogenarians according to gender, presence of hypertension, aortic stenosis, heart failure, and ischemic heart disease.Results: A history of hypertension was present in 32 (58%) centenarians, aortic stenosis in 6 (11%), heart failure in 8 (15%), and ischemic heart disease in 6 (11%). Centenarians had a higher heart rate than octogenarians (81 ± 15 bpm vs. 72 ± 15 bpm, respectively, P  <  0.001) but were less frequently on beta‐blockers (7% vs. 36%, respectively, P < 0.001). Centenarians displayed more frequently atrial premature beats than octogenarians (18% vs. 3%, respectively, P < 0.001) but tended to have less atrial fibrillation (15% vs. 22% respectively, P = 0.21). Centenarians had more frequently left QRS axis deviation (48% vs. 28%, P = 0.009) and Q waves (14% vs. 1%, P = 0.02). QT interval was more prolonged in centenarians (446 ± 42 ms vs. 429 ± 39 ms, P = 0.008). Two centenarians (4%) and 24 (15%) octogenarians had a strictly normal ECG (P = 0.02).Conclusions: Abnormal ECG is a common finding in centenarians, with different characteristics than in younger elderly individuals. These differences are unrelated to the presence of cardiac diseases.
Development and Validation of a Prognostic Index for Risk Stratification of Patients with Early Repolarization
Authors: Stavrakis Stavros , Patel Nishit , Te Charles , Golwala Harsh , George Augustine , Lozano Pedro , Lazzara Ralph 
Published: August 2012

Background: Early repolarization (ER) is associated with increased mortality in the general population. We sought to develop and validate a prognostic index (PI) of mortality in patients with ER.Methods: We identified 852 consecutive patients (mean age 49 ± 12 years) with ER (J‐point elevation ≥0.1 mV in inferior or lateral leads), from the VA electronic electrocardiogram (ECG) database. A random sample of age‐matched patients with normal ECG was used as control (n = 257). The initial cohort was randomly split into a derivation and a validation cohort (2/3 and 1/3 of patients, respectively). A PI was derived from the weighed sum of the regression coefficients of each independent risk factor in the final model using Cox regression analysis.Results: During a median follow‐up of 6.4 years, 170 patients died. ER was associated with increased mortality compared to control (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.05–2.12; P = 0.03). Older age, lower body mass index, non‐African American race, current use of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers or sulfonyureas, prolonged corrected QT (QTc), and higher ER amplitude independently predicted all‐cause mortality. Annualized mortality rates were 1.3%, 2.2%, and 3.7% in the low, intermediate, and high‐risk groups, respectively, in the derivation cohort (log rank P < 0.0001) and 0.8%, 1.9%, and 4.1% in the low, intermediate, and high‐risk groups, respectively, in the validation cohort (log rank P < 0.0001). Model discrimination was very good (c‐statistic = 0.85 and 0.80 for derivation and validation cohort, respectively).Conclusions: A PI derived from simple clinical and ECG characteristics predicts mortality in patients with ER and may be used clinically for risk stratification.
Magnetocardiography for the Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease—A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Agarwal Rajender , Saini Abhimanyu , Alyousef Tareq , Umscheid Craig A. 
Published: August 2012

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) has a significant disease burden making early diagnosis and management imperative. Magnetocardiography (MCG) is a relatively new noninvasive technique that allows diagnosis of CAD by recording the magnetic fields generated by the electrical activity of the heart.Methods: We searched MEDLINE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for prospective studies that evaluated the test characteristics (e.g., sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios) of MCG for detection of CAD. Studies were included if they evaluated either patients with stable CAD documented by angiogram or patients presenting initially with acute coronary syndrome and subsequently diagnosed with CAD. The quality of included studies was assessed using an adaptation of the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS) tool. We performed meta‐analyses of sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative likelihood ratios using Meta‐DiSc software.Results: Screening of titles and abstracts followed by full‐text review yielded seven studies that met our inclusion criteria. Meta‐analyses yielded a pooled sensitivity of 83% (95% confidence interval [CI] 80% to 86%) and a specificity of 77% (95% CI 73% to 81%). The pooled positive likelihood ratio was 3.92 (95% CI 2.30 to 6.66) and negative likelihood ratio was 0.20 (95% CI 0.12 to 0.35). Significant heterogeneity was present in all meta‐analyses.Conclusions: The pooled test characteristics for MCG are similar to those of existing noninvasive modalities for diagnosing CAD. Our results suggest that MCG is a potential complementary or alternative tool for noninvasive detection of CAD.