bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating Continuous Training Programmes by Using the Generalized Propensity Score
Authors: Kluve Jochen , Schneider Hilmar , Uhlendorff Arne , Zhao Zhong 
Published: October 2011

SummaryThe paper assesses the heterogeneity of treatment effects arising from variation in the duration of training. We use German administrative data that have the extraordinary feature that the amount of treatment varies continuously from 10 days to 395 days (i.e. 13 months). This feature allows us to estimate a continuous dose–response function that relates each value of the dose, i.e. days of training, to the individual post-treatment probability of employment (the response). The dose–response function is estimated after adjusting for covariate imbalance by using the generalized propensity score, which is a recently developed method for covariate adjustment under continuous treatment regimes. Our data have the advantage that we can consider both the actual and the planned durations of training as treatment variables: if only actual durations are observed, treatment effect estimates may be biased because of endogenous exits. Our results indicate an increasing dose–response function for treatments of up to 120 days, which then flattens out, i.e. longer training programmes do not seem to add an additional treatment effect.
Analysing Intensive Longitudinal Data After Summarization at Landmarks: An Application to Daily Pain Evaluation in a Clinical Trial
Authors: Bunouf P. , Grouin J.-M. , Molenberghs G. , Koch G. 
Published: October 2011

SummaryThe paper addresses some of the key issues to be considered in analysing intensive longitudinal data after summarization at scheduled landmarks (i.e. prespecified times). In this context, the derivation of outcomes requires rigorous rules and the selection of covariates should be based on a thorough data exploration. To guide the choice of statistical approaches for inferences, we study the missingness mechanism by using a specific dropout model. Then, we compare and contrast statistical approaches based on direct modelling and on multiple imputation applied either to the raw data or to the derived outcomes. The results are interpreted in the light of the model constraints and the missingness mechanism assumption. We show that some statistical approaches based on multiple imputation applied to the raw data are particularly well adapted to our context as they avoid any loss of available information for missing data imputation. We also show that the influence of subjects with incomplete profiles can be described by using individual estimations given by appropriate statistical models. The motivating data set was collected in a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess the effect on pain of a new compound in subjects suffering from fibromyalgia.
Potential carbon stock in Japanese forest soils – simulated impact of forest management and climate change using the CENTURY model
Authors: Hashimoto S. , Ugawa S. , Morisada K. , Wattenbach M. , Smith P. , Matsuura Y. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractForest management and climate change may have a substantial impact on future soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks at the country scale. Potential SOC in Japanese forest soils was regionally estimated under nine forest managements and a climate change scenario using the CENTURY ecosystem model. Three rotations (30, 50, 100 yr) and three thinning regimes were tested: no‐thinning; 30% of the trees cut in the middle of the rotation (e.g. 15 year in a 30‐yr rotation) and thinned trees all left as litter or slash (ThinLef) and the trees from thinning removed from the forest (ThinRem). A climate change scenario was tested (ca. 3 °C increase in air temperature and 9% increase in precipitation). The model was run at 1 km resolution using climate, vegetation and soil databases. The estimated SOC stock ranged from 1600 to 1830 TgC (from 6800 to 7800 gC/m2), and the SOC stock was largest with the longest rotation and was largest under ThinLef with all three rotations. Despite an increase in net primary production, the SOC stock decreased by 5% under the climate change scenario.
Changes in uranium and thorium contents in topsoil after long‐term phosphorus fertilizer application
Authors: Wetterlind J. , Richer De Forges A. C. , Nicoullaud B. , Arrouays D. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractArchived soil samples from the beginning and end of three long‐term field trials conducted in central France were analysed for total uranium (U) and thorium (Th) contents to evaluate the effect of 15–30 yr of phosphorus (P) fertilizer treatments on the accumulation of these elements in the topsoil. For comparison, the soil samples were also analysed for total P. Three treatments were compared: no P application (P0), 26 kg P/ha/yr (P26) and 52 kg P/ha/yr (P52). Significant effects of P fertilizer were observed on U content and, to a lesser extent, on Th content as a result of the P52 treatment at two of the field trials. This effect was demonstrated both in the analyses at the end of the field trials [P52–P0: +0.25 and +0.44 mg U/kg soil, +0.58 (not significant) and +1.03 mg Th/kg soil] and when considering the changes in U and Th contents between the beginning and the end of the field trials (end–start: +0.18 and +034 mg U/kg soil, +0.35 and +0.45 mg Th/kg soil). The P fertilizer effect was also supported by the correlations of U and Th with total levels of P in the soil. However, in one of the three trials, no significant accumulation of U or Th because of fertilizer could be seen, suggesting either that less U and Th were applied using a different P fertilizer and/or that soil heterogeneity masked significant effects.
Relationship Between Liver Function and Brain Shrinkage in Patients with Alcohol Dependence
Authors: Chen Chun‐Hsin , Walker Jonathan , Momenan Reza , Rawlings Robert , Heilig Markus , Hommer Daniel W. 
Published: October 2011

Background:  Oxidative stress has been proposed as one of the mechanisms of alcohol‐induced brain shrinkage and alcohol‐induced hepatotoxicity. The aim of this study was to assess the correlations between liver function and brain volume (BV) measurements in patients with alcohol dependence.Methods:  We recruited 124 patients with alcohol dependence and 111 healthy control subjects from National Institute of Health, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism inpatient alcohol treatment program. Gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), as well as hematocrit (Hct) and albumin were assayed shortly after admission. Magnetic resonance imaging examination was conducted in both groups (after 3‐week abstinence in the patient group). We used stepwise linear regression analyses to determine the variables most strongly correlated with brain shrinkage.Results:  Patients with alcohol dependence had lower BV, and greater brain shrinkage as measured by gray matter ratio (GMR), white matter ratio (WMR), brain ratio (BR), and higher cerebrospinal fluid ratio ratio (CSFR) compared with their healthy counterparts. Age and sex were significantly correlated with some BV measurements in both patient and control groups. Body mass index (BMI) was significantly correlated with CSFR, BR, GMR, and WMR; Hct with CSFR and BR; serum GGT level with BV, CSFR, BR, GMR, and WMF in the patient group. No biological variables were correlated with BV indices in the control group. In gender‐stratified analysis, age was significantly correlated with brain shrinkage in male patients but not in female patients. Serum GGT level in male and female patients, Hct in male patients, and AST levels in female patients were significantly correlated with brain shrinkage.Conclusions:  Our results showed that the higher levels of liver function indices, especially GGT, correlated with BV shrinkage as measured using CSFR, BR, GMR, and WMR in patients with alcohol dependence but not in controls. Serum GGT level outweighed aging effect on brain shrinkage in female patients.
Managerial Ties and Firm Innovation: Is Knowledge Creation a Missing Link?
Authors: Shu Chengli , Page Albert L. , Gao Shanxing , Jiang Xu 
Published: October 2011

Managerial ties, the personal networks of senior managers, have been found to be facilitators of firm performance because of their network benefits. However, social network theory suggests that managerial ties only play a “conduit” role by providing possibilities and opportunities to approach external resources. How can firms turn these possibilities and opportunities into internal knowledge assets and further transform them into firm innovation? Extant research constructs a direct mechanism for the managerial ties–firm innovation link. The research reported here, however, provides and investigates an indirect ties‐innovation argument where organizational knowledge creation processes, including knowledge exchange and knowledge combination, are mediators. And managerial ties are examined through two traditional dimensions, business ties and political ties. This study employs empirical data from 270 firms inChina and uses structural equation modeling techniques to reveal interesting findings. First, the results support the key argument that the influence of managerial ties on firm innovation is indirect. Second, knowledge exchange and knowledge combination are different constructs and the former positively influences the latter. More interestingly, business ties can exert a significant direct impact on both knowledge exchange and knowledge combination, while political ties can only influence knowledge exchange directly. Although both knowledge exchange and knowledge combination impact product innovation directly, only knowledge combination can directly influence process innovation. These findings indicate that the role of political ties is declining, but business ties still have substantial influence on firm innovation in transitionalChina. Different processes of organizational knowledge creation, such as knowledge exchange and knowledge combination, make distinct contributions to firm innovation. Product innovation, as opposed to process innovation, is more externally oriented and needs more organizational level knowledge creation activities.This article extends the understanding of the ties–innovation link, organizational knowledge creation theory, and firm innovation in a transitional economy by providing a more complete understanding of how firms can access and internalize external resources and then transform them into product innovation and process innovation.
Work Pressure and Patient Flow Management in the Emergency Department: Findings From an Ethnographic Study
Authors: Nugus Peter , Holdgate Anna , Fry Margaret , Forero Roberto , McCarthy Sally , Braithwaite Jeffrey 
Published: October 2011

Academic Emergency Medicine 2011; 18:1045–1052 © 2011 by the Society for Academic Emergency MedicineAbstractObjectives:  In this hypothesis‐generating study, we observe, identify, and analyze how emergency clinicians seek to manage work pressure to maximize patient flow in an environment characterized by delayed patient admissions (access block) and emergency department (ED) crowding.Methods:  An ethnographic approach was used, which involved direct observation of on‐the‐ground behaviors, when and where they happened. More than 1,600 hours over a 12‐month period were spent observing approximately 4,500 interactions across approximately 260 emergency physicians and nurses, emergency clinicians, and clinicians from other hospital departments. The authors content analyzed and thematically analyzed more than 800 pages of field notes to identify indicators of and responses to pressure in the day‐to‐day ED work environment.Results:  In response to the inability to control inflow, and the reactions of inpatient departments to whom patients might be transferred, emergency clinicians: reconciled urgency and acuity of conditions; negotiated and determined patients’ admission–discharge status early in their trajectories; pursued predetermined but coevolving pathways in response to micro‐ and macroflow problems; and exercised flexibility to reduce work pressure by managing scarce time and space in the ED.Conclusions:  To redress the linearity of most literature on patient flow, this study adopts a systems perspective and ethnographic methods to bring to light the dynamic role that individuals play, interacting with their work contexts, to maintain patient flow. The study provides an empirical foundation, uniquely discernible through qualitative research, about aspects of ED work that previously have been the subject only of discussion or commentary articles. This study provides empirical documentation of the moment‐to‐moment responses of emergency clinicians to work pressure brought about by factors outside much of their control, establishing the relationship between patient flow and work pressure. We conceptualize the ED as a dynamic system, combining socioprofessional influences to reduce and control work pressure in the ED. Interventions in education, practice, policy, and organizational performance evaluations will be supported by this systematic documentation of the complexity of emergency clinical work. Future research involves testing the five findings using systems dynamic modeling techniques.
The plaque protein myozap identified as a novel major component of adhering junctions in endothelia of the blood and the lymph vascular systems
Authors: Pieperhoff Sebastian , Rickelt Steffen , Heid Hans , Claycomb William C. , Zimbelmann Ralf , Kuhn Caecilia , Winter‐Simanowski Stefanie , Kuhn Christian , Frey Norbert , Franke Werner W. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractRecently the protein myozap, a 54‐kD polypeptide which is not a member of any of the known cytoskeletal and junctional protein multigene families, has been identified as a constituent of the plaques of the composite junctions in the intercalated disks connecting the cardiomyocytes of mammalian hearts. Using a set of novel, highly sensitive and specific antibodies we now report that myozap is also a major constituent of the cytoplasmic plaques of the adherens junctions (AJs) connecting the endothelial cells of the mammalian blood and lymph vascular systems, including the desmoplakin‐containing complexus adhaerentes of the virgultar cells of lymph node sinus. In light and electron microscopic immunolocalization experiments we show that myozap colocalizes with several proteins of desmosomal plaques as well as with AJ‐specific transmembrane molecules, including VE‐cadherin. In biochemical analyses, rigorous immunoprecipitation experiments have revealed N‐cadherin, desmoplakin, desmoglein‐2, plakophilin‐2, plakoglobin and plectin as very stably bound complex partners. We conclude that myozap is a general component of cell–cell junctions not only in the myocardium but also in diverse endothelia of the blood and lymph vascular systems of adult mammals, suggesting that this protein not only serves a specific role in the heart but also a broader set of functions in the vessel systems. We also propose to use myozap as an endothelial cell type marker in diagnoses.
Transversal maxillary dento‐alveolar changes in patients treated with active and passive self‐ligating brackets: a randomized clinical trial using CBCT‐scans and digital models
Authors: Cattaneo PM , Treccani M , Carlsson K , Thorgeirsson T , Myrda A , Cevidanes LHS , Melsen B 
Published: October 2011

To cite this article:
Cattaneo PM, Treccani M, Carlsson K, Thorgeirsson T, Myrda A, Cevidanes LHS, Melsen B: Transversal maxillary dento‐alveolar changes in patients treated with active and passive self‐ligating brackets: a randomized clinical trial using CBCT‐scans and digital models Orthod Craniofac Res 2011;14:222–233Structured AbstractAuthors –  Cattaneo PM, Treccani M, Carlsson K, Thorgeirsson T, Myrda A, Cevidanes LHS, Melsen BObjective –  To assess transversal tooth movements and buccal bone modeling of maxillary lateral segments achieved with active or passive self‐ligating bracket systems in a randomized clinical trial.Materials and Methods –  Sixty‐four patients, with Class I, II, and mild Class III malocclusions, were randomly assigned to treatment with passive (Damon 3 MX) or active (In‐Ovation R) SLBs. Impressions and cone‐beam CT‐scans were taken before (T0) and after treatment (T1). Displacement of maxillary canines, premolars and molars, and buccal alveolar bone modeling were blindly assessed.Results –  Twenty‐one patients in the Damon and 20 in the In‐Ovation group completed treatment according to the prescribed protocol. Eight Damon and 10 In‐Ovation patients were excluded as the treatment approach had to be changed because of deviation from the recommended initial plan, while three Damon and two In‐Ovation patients did not complete the treatment. Transversal expansion of the upper arch was achieved by buccal tipping in all but one patient in each group. No statistical significant difference in inter‐premolar bucco‐lingual inclination was found between the two groups from T0 to T1. The bone area buccal to the 2nd premolar decreased on average of 20% in the Damon and 14% in the In‐Ovation group. Only few patients exhibited widening of the alveolar process.Conclusion –  The anticipated translation and buccal bone modeling using active or passive SLBs could not be confirmed. Because of the large interindividual variation, a patient‐specific analysis seems to be mandatory as individual factors like pre‐treatment teeth inclination and occlusion influenced the treatment outcome of the individual patients.
Effect of cyclosporine‐A on orthodontic tooth movement in rats
Authors: Chen RY , Fu MM , Chih YK , Gau CH , Chiang CY , Nieh S , Hsieh YD , Fu E 
Published: October 2011

To cite this article:
Chen RY, Fu MM, Chih YK, Gau CH, Chiang CY, Nieh S, Hsieh YD, Fu E: Effect of cyclosporine‐A on orthodontic tooth movement in rats Orthod Craniofac Res 2011;14:234–242Structured AbstractAuthors –  Chen RY, Fu MM, Chih YK, Gau CH, Chiang CY, Nieh S, Hsieh YD, Fu EObjective –  The objective of this study is to examine the effect of cyclosporine‐A (CsA) on the rate of orthodontic tooth movement in rats.Setting and Sample Population –  This is a randomized controlled trial with a split‐mouth design in Sprague–Dawley rats.Material and Methods –  Eighteen rats, divided at random in two groups, were fed with 8 mg/kg CsA (experiment) or mineral oil (control) daily after initial healing of bilateral maxillary second molar removal. All rats received orthodontic coil springs (10 cN) secured to the maxillary incisors and first molars at the rights side, while no springs were placed at the left. Distances between first and third molars were measured on days 0, 3, 6, and 12. After sacrificing on day 12, the alveolar ridges of the maxillae were sectioned and blood samples were collected for serum tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)‐5b level detection and for histology, respectively.Results –  Significantly larger changes in intermolar distances were found after orthodontic force application in the CsA group at days 3 and 12 when compared with the control group. The inter‐radicular dental alveolus of CSA‐fed rats was osteopenic. Significantly increased TRAP‐5b serum level was noted in the CsA group when compared with the control group.Conclusions –  We suggest that CsA enhanced the rate of orthodontic tooth movement. The osteopenia and the increased osteoclastic activity could be the underlying factors.
Reliability of Circumferential Bone Level Assessment around Single Implants in Healed Ridges and Extraction Sockets Using Cone Beam CT
Authors: Raes Filiep , Renckens Liesbet , Aps Johan , Cosyn Jan , De Bruyn Hugo 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACTPurpose: Cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) provides three‐dimensional information and could absolutely be useful for evaluating circumferential implant bone levels. However, the accuracy and precision of the technique has not been described. The aim of the study was to assess the accuracy and precision of CBCT (i‐CAT®, Imaging Sciences International®, Hatfield, PA, USA) using periapical radiographs (PA) as a reference and to evaluate the circumferential bone level on CBCT around immediately loaded single implants placed in healed ridges (CIT, conventional implant treatment) and extraction sockets (IIT, immediate implant placement).Materials and Methods: PA and CBCT radiographs were obtained from 26 single Astra Tech Osseospeed™ implants (Astra Tech AB, Mölndal, Sweden) 1 year after loading in respectively healed ridges (CIT) or extraction socket (IIT). For accuracy analysis, the three mesial and three distal interproximal levels obtained by CBCT were pooled to enable a comparison with PA. Precision was analyzed by intra‐ and interexaminer reliability calculation from mesial and distal sites on CBCT. The circumferential bone level considered all eight positions assessed on CBCT.Results: Accuracy of CBCT was low (R = 0.325/p = .019) given the fact that bone level of the total group was 0.70 mm (standard deviation [SD] 0.78, range 0.00–3.20) on PA and 0.23 mm (SD 0.27, 0.00–1.20) on CBCT (p < .001) with only 42% of the measurements showing deviation within 0.2 mm. However, intra‐ and interexaminer reliability were favorable (R ≥ 0.611/p < .001, ≥83%). The mean circumferential bone level on CBCT was 0.21 mm (SD 0.30) and 0.26 mm (SD 0.18) for IIT and CIT, respectively. The impact of the treatment strategy was not significant.Conclusion: PA should be the standard technique to assess interproximal bone level but correlates poorly with the CBCT measurements. However, the precision of CBCT was high. CBCT requires further improvements of hardware and/or software. Within the limitations of the study, there is an indication that the buccal bone 1 year after implant treatment is evenly preserved when implants are immediately loaded in extraction sockets or in healed bone.
Morphometric analysis of the brain vesicles during the human embryonic period by magnetic resonance microscopic imaging
Authors: Nakashima Takashi , Hirose Ayumi , Yamada Shigehito , Uwabe Chigako , Kose Katsumi , Takakuwa Tetsuya 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACTThe development of the brain vesicles between Carnegie stages (CS) 17 and 23 was analyzed morphometrically using 177 magnetic resonance image data derived from the Kyoto Collection of Human Embryos. Whole embryonic volume was 106.55 ± 21.08 mm3 at CS17, exponentially increasing to CS23 when it reached 1357.28 ± 392.20 mm3. Length of brain vesicles was 29.83 ± 2.52 mm at CS17, increased almost linearly and reached 49.31 ± 6.66 mm at CS23. The rate of increase was approximately 4.2 times higher on the dorsal side than on the ventral side. The increase in the length of the brain vesicles resulted mainly from that of the prosencephalon, and the rate of increase was three times higher on the dorsal side than on the ventral side of the prosencephalon.