bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Solitary, isolated metastatic disease to the kidney: Memorial Sloan‐Kettering Cancer Center experience
Authors: Adamy Ari , Von Bodman Christian , Ghoneim Tarek , Favaretto Ricardo L. , Bernstein Melanie , Russo Paul 
Published: November 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4 What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Usually malignant disease involving the kidneys is characterized by bilateral and multiple lesions in association with widespread dissemination of the primary tumour. Metastasis to the kidney as a solitary, isolated renal mass is an extremely rare event and little is known about its characteristics and outcomes.Our study shows that kidney involvement by other tumours can occur as isolated solitary lesions and the kidney can be the first and only site of metastatic involvement. Of the 14 patients included in the study, 8 were alive at the last follow‐up and 4 without evidence of disease after nephrectomy. In this highly selected group of patients nephrectomy can be offered as a therapeutic option.OBJECTIVE• To analyse the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients who underwent nephrectomy for solitary, isolated metastatic disease to the kidney.PATIENTS AND METHODS• From July 1989 to July 2009, we identified 13 patients who underwent nephrectomy for solitary metastasis to the kidney. Patients’ demographics, intra‐operative variables and outcomes are reported.RESULTS• The median age at nephrectomy was 52 years (range 33–79). Eleven patients (85%) had an incidentally discovered renal mass, whereas two patients (15%) presented with gross haematuria.• Median time from initial surgery at the primary site to development of metastatic disease to the kidney was 63 months (range 9–136). No patient had evidence of disease at other sites at the time of nephrectomy. In seven patients (54%), the kidney was the first site of recurrence.• The most common primary site was the lung in five patients (38%), followed by the colon in two (15%), chest wall in two (15%) and bone, brain, breast and salivary gland in one patient each (8%).• Of the 14 procedures performed, eight (57%) were partial nephrectomy (PN) and six (43%) were radical nephrectomy (RN).• Four patients died after progression from the primary tumour, all within 2 years of nephrectomy. One patient with a primary chondrosarcoma had no evidence of disease at last follow‐up and died from other causes 50 months after nephrectomy. The median follow‐up for the eight patients who were alive at last follow‐up was 30 months after nephrectomy. Four of these patients had no evidence of disease and four patients were alive with metastatic disease.CONCLUSION• Kidney involvement by metastatic disease can occur as isolated solitary lesions. Some patients will also have the kidney as the first and only site of metastatic involvement. The presence of an isolated renal metastasis should not be considered an end‐stage disease, and nephrectomy can be offered for highly selected patients as a therapeutic option.
Volar onlay urethroplasty for reconstruction of female urethra in recurrent stricture disease
Authors: Gozzi Christian , Roosen Alexander , Bastian Patrick J. , Karl Alexander , Stief Christian , Tritschler Stefan 
Published: November 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4 What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? In spite of several suggestions that have been published recently, there is no standard procedure for therapy of recurrent female urethral stricture disease. Most of the published procedures are characterized by the time‐consuming use of an oral mucosal graft.In the current study we present an effective and simple new technique for reconstruction of strictured female urethra, using a free labium minus graft.OBJECTIVE• To report our experience with a new and simple method of urethral repair with a volar onlay of free labium minus graft. Strictures of the female urethra are rare, and it is well accepted that the therapeutic options of dilation and urethrotomy are not lasting solutions as a result of their high recurrence rates. However, there is no consensus regarding the best way to reconstruct the female urethra in the case of stricture disease.PATIENTS AND METHODS• Four consecutive female patients with a long lasting history of recurrent urethral strictures underwent open urethroplasty with a volar situated free split thickness epidermal graft from the labium minus.• The surgical technique is described and a short‐term follow‐up is presented.RESULTS• Operating time was 40–140 min (mean 105 min), and the graft measured between 2 × 1.5 cm and 3 × 2.5 cm. Follow‐up time was 11–19 months. Maximum urinary flow rate could be improved from a baseline of 9.4–11.2 mL/s (preoperatively, after intermittent use of dilation) to 19–23 mL/s.• Postvoid residual urine volume was 0–50 mL preoperatively and no postvoid residual urine volume postoperatively.• Urinary catheters were removed after 21 days. Urinary stress incontinence did not occur postoperatively. No complications related to the graft donor site were found.CONCLUSIONS• The reported data concerning a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of recurrent female urethral stricture show that a volar onlay urethroplasty represents a feasible, safe and simple surgical method.• Larger series with long‐term follow‐up are needed for further evaluation.
How Sure Can You Be? A Framework for Considering Delivery Uncertainty in Benefit Assessments Based on Stated Preference Methods
Authors: Glenk Klaus , Colombo Sergio 
Published: November 2010

Abstract The economic valuation of benefits resulting from environmental policies and interventions often assumes that environmental outcomes are certain. In fact, these outcomes are typically uncertain. This article proposes a methodological approach to incorporate delivery uncertainty into benefit estimation based on stated preference methods. In the study design of a choice experiment survey on land‐based climate change mitigation, we explicitly include delivery uncertainty as the risk that a proposed mitigation project fails to deliver emission savings. We find that respondents’ preferences do not change significantly after being confronted with choices that included risk of failure. However, failure risk itself does have an important impact on the preferences for delivering emission reductions. We show that delivery uncertainty can have a large impact on stated preference estimation of benefits of public programmes. This result should condition conclusions drawn from ex‐ante environmental cost‐benefit analyses that make use of such benefit estimates.
Women’s Experiences of Empowerment in a Planned Home Birth: A Swedish Population‐based Study
Authors: Lindgren Helena , Erlandsson Kerstin 
Published: November 2010

Abstract:  Background:  Childbirth can be an empowering event in a woman’s life. However, little is known about women’s own perceptions of power and empowering sources during childbirth. This study aimed to describe the factors experienced as empowering during a planned home birth.Methods:  The inclusion criteria were women in Sweden who had a planned home birth between 1992 and 2005. All the women (n = 735) who agreed to participate received one questionnaire for each planned home birth. A total of 1,038 questionnaires were sent to the women. The written birth stories were analyzed using content analysis and descriptive statistics.Results:  In the analysis of the participants’ birth experience four categories and one overall theme emerged from the stories. The categories identified were sensations, guidance, tacit support, and identification of needs. Greater emphasis was put on guidance among first‐time mothers than among multiparas, for whom tacit support was identified as the most empowering factor. The overall theme was identified as “resting in acceptance of the process.” The empowerment women expressed by achieving and maintaining a sense of control allowed them to rest in acceptance of the efforts that are part of a normal birth.Conclusion:  Women who choose to give birth at home find empowering sources within themselves from their environment and from the active and passive support of persons they have chosen to be present at the birth. (BIRTH 37:4 December 2010)
Asymmetric Information, Long‐Term Care Insurance, and Annuities: The Case for Bundled Contracts
Authors: Webb David C. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThis article examines the markets for long‐term care insurance and annuities when there is asymmetric information and there are costs of administering contracts. Individuals differ in terms of their risk aversion. Risk‐averse individuals take more care of their health and are relatively high risk in the annuities market and relatively low risk in the long‐term care insurance market. In the long‐term care insurance market, both separating and partial‐pooling equilibria are possible. However, in the stand‐alone annuity market, only separating equilibria are possible. We show, consistent with the extant empirical research, that in the presence of administration costs the more risk‐averse individuals may buy relatively more long‐term care insurance and more annuity coverage. Under the same assumptions, we show that equilibria exist with bundled contracts that Pareto dominate the outcomes with stand‐alone contracts and are robust to competition from stand‐alone contracts. The remaining empirical puzzle is to explain why bundled contracts are such a small share of the voluntary annuity market.
Time Deductibles as Screening Devices: Competitive Markets
Authors: Spreeuw Jaap , Karlsson Martin 
Published: November 2010

AbstractSeminal papers on asymmetric information in competitive insurance markets, analyzing the monetary deductible as a screening device, show that any existing equilibrium is of a separating type. High risks buy complete insurance, whereas low risks buy partial insurance—and this result holds for the Nash behavior as well as for the Wilson foresight. In this article, we analyze the strength of screening based on limitations to the period of coverage of the contract. We show that in this case (1) the Nash equilibrium may entail low risks not purchasing any insurance at all, and (2) under the Wilson foresight, a pooling equilibrium may exist.
Adverse Selection and the Opaqueness of Insurers
Authors: Zhang Tao , Cox Larry A. , Van Ness Robert A. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractWhile adverse selection problems between insureds and insurers are well known to insurance researchers, few explore adverse selection in the insurance industry from a capital markets perspective. This study examines adverse selection in the quoted prices of insurers' common stocks with a particular focus on the opacity of both asset portfolios and underwriting liabilities. We find that more opaque underwriting lines result in greater adverse selection costs for property‐casualty (P‐C) insurers. A similar effect is not apparent for life‐health (L‐H) insurers and we find no effect of asset opaqueness on adverse selection for either L‐H or P‐C insurers.
On the Role of Patience in an Insurance Market With Asymmetric Information
Authors: Sonnenholzner Michael , Wambach Achim 
Published: November 2010

AbstractWe analyze a two‐period competitive insurance market that is characterized by the simultaneous presence of moral hazard and adverse selection with regard to consumer time preferences. It is shown that there exists an equilibrium in which patient consumers use high effort and buy an insurance contract with high coverage, whereas impatient consumers use low effort and buy a contract with low coverage or even remain uninsured. This finding may help to explain why the opposite of adverse selection with regard to risk types can sometimes be observed empirically.
A Comparison of Gray Matter Density in Restless Legs Syndrome Patients and Matched Controls Using Voxel‐Based Morphometry
Authors: Comley Robert A. , Cervenka Simon , Palhagen Sven E. , Panagiotidis Georgios , Matthews Julian C. , Lai Robert Y. , Halldin Christer , Farde Lars , Nichols Thomas E. , Whitcher Brandon J. 
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDRestless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological disorder the pathophysiology of which is incompletely understood. Four studies have examined structural differences between the brains of RLS patients and healthy controls, using voxel‐based morphometry (VBM). All 4 studies have provided different results.METHODSOptimized VBM was used to search for structural differences in gray matter density. Sixteen RLS patients naïve to dopaminergic drugs and 16 age‐ and sex‐matched controls received structural T1‐weighted MR scans. Structural data were analyzed using FSL‐VBM.RESULTSNo difference in gray matter density was detected between the two groups (voxel‐wise significance: no significant voxels at P= .89 (whole brain Family Wise Error (FWE) corrected); no significant voxels at P < .05 (whole brain False Discovery Rate (FDR) corrected; smallest achievable FDR threshold .99).CONCLUSION/DISCUSSIONThe present study did not replicate (confirm) previous findings of structural brain changes in RLS, but instead supported the findings of a recent study showing a lack of gray matter alteration in an elderly RLS population. More specifically, the results do not support neuronal loss as an underlying disease mechanism in RLS. Potential limitations in the application of VBM are also discussed.
Effects of casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate paste on white spot lesions and dental plaque after orthodontic treatment: a 3‐month follow‐up
Authors: Beerens M. W. , Van Der Veen M. H. , Van Beek H. , Ten Cate J. M. 
Published: November 2010

Beerens MW, van der Veen MH, van Beek H, ten Cate JM. Effects of casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate paste on white spot lesions and dental plaque after orthodontic treatment: a 3‐month follow‐up. Eur J Oral Sci 2010; 118: 610–617. © 2010 Eur J Oral Sci The effects of casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate (CPP‐ACFP) paste vs. control paste on the remineralization of white spot caries lesions and on plaque composition were tested in a double‐blind prospective randomized clinical trial. Fifty‐four orthodontic patients, with multiple white spot lesions observed upon the removal of fixed appliances, were followed up for 3 months. Subjects were included and randomly assigned to either CPP‐ACFP paste or control paste, for use supplementary to their normal oral hygiene. Caries regression was assessed on quantitative light‐induced fluorescence (QLF) images captured directly after debonding and 6 and 12 wk thereafter. The total counts and proportions of aciduric bacteria, Streptococcus mutans, and Lactobacillus spp. were measured in plaque samples obtained just before debonding, and 6 and 12 wk afterwards. A significant decrease in fluorescence loss was found with respect to baseline for both groups and no difference was found between groups. The size of the lesion area did not change significantly over time or between the groups. The percentages of aciduric bacteria and of S. mutans decreased from 47.4 to 38.1% and from 9.6 to 6.6%, respectively. No differences were found between groups. We observed no clinical advantage for use of the CPP‐ACFP paste supplementary to normal oral hygiene over the time span of 12 wk.
Computational Characterization of Reaction Intermediates in the Photocycle of the Sensory Domain of the AppA Blue Light Photoreceptor†
Authors: Khrenova Maria G. , Domratcheva Tatiana , Schlichting Ilme , Grigorenko Bella L. , Nemukhin Alexander V. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThe AppA protein with the BLUF (blue light using flavin adenine dinucleotide) domain is a blue light photoreceptor that cycle between dark‐adapted and light‐induced functional states. We characterized possible reaction intermediates in the photocycle of AppA BLUF. Molecular dynamics (MD), quantum chemical and quantum mechanical–molecular mechanical (QM/MM) calculations were carried out to describe several stable structures of a molecular system modeling the protein. The coordinates of heavy atoms from the crystal structure (PDB code 2IYG) of the protein in the dark state served as starting point for 10 ns MD simulations. Representative MD frames were used in QM(B3LYP/cc‐pVDZ)/MM(AMBER) calculations to locate minimum energy configurations of the model system. Vertical electronic excitation energies were estimated for the molecular clusters comprising the quantum subsystems of the QM/MM optimized structures using the SOS‐CIS(D) quantum chemistry method. Computational results support the occurrence of photoreaction intermediates that are characterized by spectral absorption bands between those of the dark and light states. They agree with crystal structures of reaction intermediates (PDB code 2IYI) observed in the AppA BLUF domain. Transformations of the Gln63 side chain stimulated by photo‐excitation and performed with the assistance of the chromophore and the Met106 side chain are responsible for these intermediates.
Russia's oil and gas policy
Authors: Bahgat Gawdat 
Published: November 2010

AbstractRussia is a major oil and natural gas producer and exporter. In the last two decades the nation's energy policy has gone through fundamental changes. This study examines Russia's oil and natural gas sectors and Moscow's energy policy with Europe and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. An examination of the nation's energy strategy is provided. The analysis suggests that Russia is likely to maintain its status as a major energy player; however, there are serious limitations on its potential.
Energy-Based Model Reduction Methodology for Automated Modeling
Authors: Louca Loucas S. , Stein Jeffrey L. , Hulbert Gregory M. 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
In recent years, algorithms have been developed to help automate the production of dynamic system models. Part of this effort has been the development of algorithms that use modeling metrics for generating minimum complexity models with realization preserving structure and parameters. Existing algorithms, add or remove ideal compliant elements from a model, and consequently do not equally emphasize the contribution of the other fundamental physical phenomena, i.e., ideal inertial or resistive elements, to the overall system behavior. Furthermore, these algorithms have only been developed for linear or linearized models, leaving the automated production of models of nonlinear systems unresolved. Other model reduction techniques suffer from similar limitations due to linearity or the requirement that the reduced models be realization preserving. This paper presents a new modeling metric, activity, which is based on energy. This metric is used to order the importance of all energy elements in a system model. The ranking of the energy elements provides the relative importance of the model parameters and this information is used as a basis to reduce the size of the model and as a type of parameter sensitivity information for system design. The metric is implemented in an automated modeling algorithm called model order reduction algorithm (MORA) that can automatically generate a hierarchical series of reduced models that are realization preserving based on choosing the energy threshold below which energy elements are not included in the model. Finally, MORA is applied to a nonlinear quarter car model to illustrate that energy elements with low activity can be eliminated from the model resulting in a reduced order model, with physically meaningful parameters, which also accurately predicts the behavior of the full model. The activity metric appears to be a valuable metric for automating the reduction of nonlinear system models—providing in the process models that provide better insight and may be more numerically efficient.
Does Pandemic A/H1N1 Virus Have the Potential To Become More Pathogenic?
Authors: Ilyushina Natalia A. , Ducatez Mariette F. , Rehg Jerold E. , Marathe Bindumadhav M. , Marjuki Henju , Bovin Nicolai V. , Webster Robert G. , Webby Richard J. 
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACT
Epidemiologic observations that have been made in the context of the current pandemic influenza virus include a stable virulence phenotype and a lack of propensity to reassort with seasonal strains. In an attempt to determine whether either of these observations could change in the future, we coinfected differentiated human airway cells with seasonal oseltamivir-resistant A/New Jersey/15/07 and pandemic A/Tennessee/1-560/09 (H1N1) viruses in three ratios (10:90, 50:50, and 90:10) and examined the resulting progeny viruses after 10 sequential passages. When the pandemic virus was initially present at multiplicities of infection equal to or greater than those for the seasonal virus, only pandemic virus genotypes were detected. These adapted pandemic strains did, however, contain two nonsynonymous mutations (hemagglutinin K154Q and polymerase acidic protein L295P) that conferred a more virulent phenotype, both in cell cultures and in ferrets, than their parental strains. The polymerase acidic protein mutation increased polymerase activity at 37°C, and the hemagglutinin change affected binding of the virus to α2,6-sialyl receptors. When the seasonal A/H1N1 virus was initially present in excess, the dominant progeny virus was a reassortant containing the hemagglutinin gene from the seasonal strain and the remaining genes from the pandemic virus. Our study demonstrates that the emergence of an A/H1N1 pandemic strain of higher virulence is possible and that, despite their lack of detection thus far in humans, viable seasonal/pandemic virus reassortants can be generated.

IMPORTANCE
This report supplies a key piece of information for investigating future evolution scenarios of pandemic A/H1N1 influenza in the human population. We report that the emergence of an A/H1N1 pandemic strain of higher virulence is possible and that, despite their lack of detection thus far in humans, viable seasonal/pandemic virus reassortants can be generated.
Automated external defibrillator use at NCAA Division II and III universities
Authors: Drezner J A , Rogers K J , Horneff J G 
Published: November 2010

ObjectiveThe placement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at collegiate sporting venues is a growing trend. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence, location and past utilisation of AEDs atNational Collegiate Athletic Association(NCAA) Division II and III universities.DesignCross-sectional survey.SettingNCAA Division II and III universities.ParticipantsQuestionnaires were mailed to the head athletic trainer at NCAA Division II and III (N=711) colleges and universities in the fall of 2003. Findings were compared to previously published results at Division I institutions.Main outcome measurePrevalence, location and past utilisation of AEDs.ResultsCompleted surveys were returned by 254 NCAA Division II and III institutions for a 35.7% response rate (254/711). 205 (81%) institutions had at least one AED in the university athletic setting, with a median of 2 AEDs per institution (range 1–9). Athletic training rooms (75%) were the most likely location to place an AED. Twelve cases of AED use for sudden cardiac arrest were reported with 67% (8/12) occurring in older non-students, 16% (2/12) in intercollegiate athletes and 16% (2/12) in students (non-intercollegiate athletes). The AED deployed a shock in eight cases. 8 of 12 (66%) victims were immediately resuscitated, but only 4 survived to hospital discharge (overall survival 33%). None of the intercollegiate athletes or students survived.ConclusionsMost NCAA Division II and III institutions that responded to the survey have implemented AEDs in their athletic programs, although they have a lower prevalence of AEDs than previously reported at Division I universities. Although no benefit was demonstrated in a small number of intercollegiate athletes, AEDs were successfully used in older individuals on campus with cardiac arrest.