bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Temporal Trends in Survival to Adulthood Among Patients Born With Congenital Heart Disease From 1970 to 1992 in Belgium
Authors: Moons Philip , Bovijn Lore , Budts Werner , Belmans Ann , Gewillig Marc 
Published: November 2010

Background—
Over the past decades, the life expectancy of individuals with congenital heart disease (CHD) has increased significantly. However, precise estimates for survival to adulthood are scarce for patients with CHD. We investigated the proportion of CHD patients born between 1990 and 1992 who survived into adulthood. We also compared their survival with that of CHD patients born in earlier eras and evaluated survival as a function of the type of heart defect.

Methods and Results—

We reviewed the CHD program administrative and clinical database at the University Hospitals Leuven (Leuven, Belgium) and analyzed the records of 7497 CHD patients born from 1970 to 1992. Survival to 18 years of age in patients born between 1990 and 1992 was 88.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 86.3% to 90.5%), which was significantly greater than that of patients born in previous decades (
P
<0.0001). For patients born between 1990 and 1992, survival into adulthood for those with mild heart defects was 98.0% (95% CI, 95.8% to 99.1%), whereas survival for those with moderate- and severe-complexity heart defects was 90.0% (95% CI, 86.8% to 92.5%) and 56.4% (95% CI, 47.4% to 64.5%), respectively. Analysis per heart defect confirmed these findings, demonstrating that patients with univentricular heart (49.1% [95% CI, 30.8% to 65.1%]) and hypoplastic left heart syndrome (7.5% [95% CI, 0.6% to 26.6%]) had the poorest survival rate.

Conclusion—
This study demonstrates that almost 90% of children with CHD have the prospect of surviving into adulthood.
Long-Term Results of Catheter Ablation in Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Ouyang Feifan , Tilz Roland , Chun Julian , Schmidt Boris , Wissner Erik , Zerm Thomas , Neven Kars , Köktürk Bulent , Konstantinidou Melanie , Metzner Andreas , Fuernkranz Alexander , Kuck Karl-Heinz 
Published: November 2010

Background—
Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) naturally progresses toward chronic AF at an estimated rate of 15% to 30% over a 1- to 3-year period. Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation is increasingly performed for the treatment of drug-refractory paroxysmal AF. The long-term data on clinical outcome after circumferential PV isolation are limited.

Methods and Results—
From 2003 to late 2004, 161 patients (121 men; age, 59.8±9.7 years) with symptomatic paroxysmal AF and normal left ventricular function underwent circumferential PV isolation guided by 3-dimensional mapping and double Lasso technique. Right-sided and left-sided continuous circular lesions encircling the ipsilateral PVs were placed with irrigated radiofrequency energy. The procedure end point was the absence of all PV spikes for at least 30 minutes after PV isolation verified by 2 Lasso catheters placed within the ipsilateral PVs. Sinus rhythm was present in 75 patients (46.6%) after the initial procedure during a median follow-up period of 4.8 years (0.33 to 5.5 years). A second procedure was performed in 66 and a third procedure in 12 patients. Recovered PV isolation conduction was observed in 62 of 66 patients (94.0%) during the second and in 8 of 12 patients (66.7%) during the third procedure. After a median of 1 (1 to 3) procedure, stable sinus rhythm was achieved in 128 of 161 patients (79.5%), whereas clinical improvement occurred in an additional 21 of 161 patients (13.0%) during a median follow-up of 4.6 years (0.33 to 5.5 years). Four patients in stable sinus rhythm died during follow-up. Progression toward chronic AF was observed in 4 patients (2.4%); however, only 2 patients reported symptoms.

Conclusion—
In patients with paroxysmal AF and normal left ventricular function, circumferential PV isolation results in stable sinus rhythm in the majority of patients, and low incidence of chronic AF was observed after ablation during up to 5 years of follow-up.
Mortality Resulting From Congenital Heart Disease Among Children and Adults in the United States, 1999 to 2006
Authors: Gilboa Suzanne M. , Salemi Jason L. , Nembhard Wendy N. , Fixler David E. , Correa Adolfo 
Published: November 2010

Background—
Previous reports suggest that mortality resulting from congenital heart disease (CHD) among infants and young children has been decreasing. There is little population-based information on CHD mortality trends and patterns among older children and adults.

Methods and Results—
We used data from death certificates filed in the United States from 1999 to 2006 to calculate annual CHD mortality by age at death, race-ethnicity, and sex. To calculate mortality rates for individuals ≥1 year of age, population counts from the US Census were used in the denominator; for infant mortality, live birth counts were used. From 1999 to 2006, there were 41 494 CHD-related deaths and 27 960 deaths resulting from CHD (age-standardized mortality rates, 1.78 and 1.20 per 100 000, respectively). During this period, mortality resulting from CHD declined 24.1% overall. Mortality resulting from CHD significantly declined among all race-ethnicities studied. However, disparities persisted; overall and among infants, mortality resulting from CHD was consistently higher among non-Hispanic blacks compared with non-Hispanic whites. Infant mortality accounted for 48.1% of all mortality resulting from CHD; among those who survived the first year of life, 76.1% of deaths occurred during adulthood (≥18 years of age).

Conclusions—
CHD mortality continued to decline among both children and adults; however, differences between race-ethnicities persisted. A large proportion of CHD-related mortality occurred during infancy, although significant CHD mortality occurred during adulthood, indicating the need for adult CHD specialty management.
The sPLA2Inhibition to Decrease Enzyme Release After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (SPIDER-PCI) Trial
Authors: Džavík Vladimír , Lavi Shahar , Thorpe Kevin , Yip Paul M. , Plante Sylvain , Ing Douglas , Overgaard Christopher B. , Osten Mark D. , Lan Julie , Robbins Kim , Miner Steven E. , Horlick Eric M. , Cantor Warren J. 
Published: November 2010

Background—Secretory phospholipase A2(sPLA2) may play a role in myonecrosis after elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Inhibition of this enzyme may have a beneficial effect. The central hypothesis of this study was that treatment with varespladib, a small-molecule inhibitor of sPLA2would reduce postprocedural release of cardiac biomarkers after elective percutaneous coronary intervention.Methods and Results—Between October 2007 and June 2009, 144 stable patients were randomized in a phase II trial to receive varespladib 500 mg PO BID or placebo 3 to 5 days before and for 5 days after elective percutaneous coronary intervention. The primary end point was elevation of troponin I or creatine kinase-MB above the upper limit of normal at 6 to 8 or 18 to 24 hours after percutaneous coronary intervention. Mean age was 63±10 and 64±10 years, with 38% and 42% with diabetes mellitus and 29% and 28% with prior myocardial infarction for the varespladib and placebo groups, respectively. The primary end point occurred in 75% of varespladib and 63% of placebo patients (P=0.14). Troponin I 3 times the upper limit of normal was observed in 57% and 50% (P=0.39) and creatine kinase-MB 2 times the upper limit of normal in 14% and 3% (P=0.018). Median (first and third quartiles) change in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in these 2 groups was 0.65 mg/L (−0.18 and 1.48) and 0.70 mg/L (0.00 and 1.50) at 18 to 24 hours (P=0.81) and 0.20 mg/L (−0.70 and 1.40) and 0.60 mg/L (−0.12 and 1.72) at 3 to 5 days (P=0.23), whereas change in sPLA2activity at 3 to 5 days in a subset was −2.85 ng/ml (−3.40 and −1.85) and 0.25 ng/ml (−0.20 and 0.85) (P<0.001).Conclusions—Inhibition of sPLA2by varespladib administered for 3 to 5 days before the procedure does not reduce periprocedural myonecrosis associated with elective percutaneous coronary intervention.Clinical Trial Registration—URL:http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00533039.
Myocardial Infarction and Risk of Suicide
Authors: Larsen Karen Kjær , Agerbo Esben , Christensen Bo , Søndergaard Jens , Vestergaard Mogens 
Published: November 2010

Background—
Myocardial infarction (MI) is associated with an increased risk of anxiety, depression, low quality of life, and all-cause mortality. Whether MI is associated with an increased risk of suicide is unknown. We examined the association between MI and suicide.

Methods and Results—
We conducted a population-based case-control study by retrieving data from 5 nationwide longitudinal registers in Denmark. As cases, we selected all persons aged 40 to 89 years who died by suicide from 1981 to 2006. As controls, we randomly selected up to 10 persons per case matched by sex, day of birth, and calendar time. We identified 19 857 persons who committed suicide and 190 058 controls. MI was associated with a marked increased risk of suicide. The risk of suicide was highest during the first month after discharge for MI for patients with no history of psychiatric illness (adjusted rate ratio, 3.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.61 to 6.56) and for patients with a history of psychiatric illness (adjusted rate ratio, 64.05; 95% confidence interval, 13.36 to 307.06) compared with those with no history of MI or psychiatric illness. However, the risk remained high for at least 5 years after MI.

Conclusions—
MI is followed by an increased risk of suicide for persons with and without psychiatric illness. Our results suggest the importance of screening patients with MI for depression and suicidal ideation.
Variation of abundance and density of Puma concolor in zones of high and low concentration of camera traps in Central Mexico
Authors: Soria-Díaz Leroy , Monroy-Vilchis Octavio , Rodríguez-Soto Clarita , Zarco-González Martha , Urios Vicente 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
Little is known about the status of Puma concolor populations in Central and South America. Due to this reason, the present study contributes to the knowledge on puma populations providing information on abundance and density in Sierra Nanchititla, Mexico, as well as comparing recorded values against those obtained from zones of high and low concentration of camera traps. The sampling was carried out during a period of 30 months, which were divided into 3-month independent blocks. For the 8 first blocks, ten camera traps were set in an area where the separation among cameras was 1.6 km, and in the 2 last blocks 17 camera traps were set in an area where the separation was 4.6 km. The abundance was estimated between 2 and 5 individuals for the area with the highest concentration of cameras, lower than the abundance obtained in the area with the lowest concentration of cameras, i.e., 6 individuals. The density of the area with the highest camera concentration had a variation between 2.74 and 6.86 individuals/100 km2 in an effective survey area of 72.8 km2 and for the area of lowest concentration it was 1.21 individual/100 km2 in an effective survey area of 492.6 km2.
Seasonal variation of prey consumption by Liolaemus barbarae, a highland lizard endemic to Northern Chile
Authors: Mella Jorge , Tirado Carlos , Cortés Arturo , Carretero Miguel 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
Liolaemus barbarae is a small liolaemid lizard (SVL: 56 mm) endemic to the high Andes of northern Chile. Diet and prey availability were assessed during three seasons of activity (spring 2003, summer 2004, autumn 2004) in order to determine patterns of prey consumption and eventual selection. Liolaemus barbarae was strictly insectivorous preying on flying and epigeous insects, mainly chinch bugs (Lygaeidae) and ants. Prey types were consumed in different proportions than available in the environment. The selection for Lygaeidae, the most frequent prey consumed, was inversely correlated with their availability suggesting a nutrient-optimization strategy. Ants acted as complementary prey but they were less consumed than available. Despite the harsh environmental conditions, this Andean lizard seems able to fulfil its trophic requirements, its annual diet being less variable than the seasonal fluctuations of insects in the environment.
A skeletochronological estimation of age and body size by the Sichuan torrent frog (Amolops mantzorum) between two populations at different altitudes
Authors: Liao Wen Bo , Lu Xin 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
The age and body size of Amolops mantzorum between two populations distributed in western China were estimated using skeletochronology. The age at sexual mature of individuals was be estimated 2 yrs old in males for both populations while females reached sexual maturity at 2 yrs old at the low-altitude site and 3 yrs old at the high-altitude site. The oldest males and females from the high-altitude site were 7 yrs and 10 yrs old while longevity of males reached 6 yrs and 7 yrs in females at the low-altitude site. Average age between males and females differed significantly at the high-altitude site, but it did no differ significantly at the low-altitude site. For both sexes, average age did not differ significantly between the populations. On average, adult females had significantly larger body sizes than adult males for both populations. Sexual size dimorphism from the low-altitude site and the high-altitude site was 0.280 and 0.282, respectively. Body size between the populations differed significantly within each sex. Positive correlations were found between age and body size for both sexes within each site. The growth coefficient did not differ significantly within a population both sexes or in a sex between the populations. Our findings suggest that inter-population difference in body size of the frogs seems to be related to longevity of individuals, ambient temperature and construction of dams for electricity.
Contracts of Carriage: Legislation and Case Law in Estonia
Authors: Sein Karin , Uusen-Nacke Triin 
Published: November 2010

AbstractOn 1 July 2002, the new Law of Obligations Act (LOA) entered into force in Estonia regulating inter alia contracts for the carriage of goods and contracts for the carriage of passengers. This article highlights these new regulations as well as relevant Estonian case law.The article demonstrates that, in respect of contracts for the carriage of goods, German legislation and case law have exerted considerable influence on the drafting of relevant provisions in the 2001 LOA as well as Estonian case law in this field. In addition, the importance of the the 1956 Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road (CMR Convention) cannot be overlooked: it serves as a model for drafting domestic legislation and, also, has a role in case law and national practice.That part of the 2001 LOA regulating contracts for the carriage of passengers has been drafted on the basis of Book 8 "Vehicles and Carriage" of the 1991 Dutch Civil Code; but, contrary to the Dutch Code, the LOA does not distinguish among types of carriers. In particular, with regard to carriers' liability for the carriage of passengers, the provisions have been modeled, to a large degree, upon the 1929 Warsaw Convention, the 1961 Guadalajara Convention, the 1974 Athens Convention and the 1990 German Law on the Carriage of Passengers (Personenbeförderungsgesetz). The authors consider the choice of statutory models for contracts for the carriage of goods and passengers to be fully justified as they ensure the compliance of relevant Estonian legislation with modern standards.
Volume, Freshwater, and Heat Fluxes through Davis Strait, 2004–05*
Authors: Curry B. , Lee C. M. , Petrie B. 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
Davis Strait volume [−2.3 ± 0.7 Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1); negative sign indicates southward transport], freshwater (−116 ± 41 mSv), and heat (20 ± 9 TW) fluxes estimated from objectively mapped 2004–05 moored array data do not differ significantly from values based on a 1987–90 array but are distributed differently across the strait. The 2004–05 array provided the first year-long measurements in the upper 100 m and over the shelves. The upper 100 m accounts for 39% (−0.9 Sv) of the net volume and 59% (−69 mSv) of the net freshwater fluxes. Shelf contributions are small: 0.4 Sv (volume), 15 mSv (freshwater), and 3 TW (heat) from the West Greenland shelf and −0.1 Sv, −7 mSv, and 1 TW from the Baffin Island shelf. Contemporaneous measurements of the Baffin Bay inflows and outflows indicate that volume and freshwater budgets balance to within 26% and 4%, respectively, of the net Davis Strait outflow. Davis Strait volume and freshwater fluxes nearly equal those from Fram Strait, indicating that both are significant Arctic freshwater pathways.
Levels and functions of HIV/AIDS stigma within the Iranian community living in the Sydney metropolitan area
Authors: Hosseinzadeh Hassan , Hossain Syeda Zakia , Niknami Shamsaddin 
Published: November 2010

Objective: This study examines the levels of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) related stigma among the Iranian population and the factors that contribute to the formation of stigma within the study population. Design: A quantitative research design was used in this research whereby participants completed a self-administrated questionnaire. A sample of 236 adults aged 20–65 were collected using non-probability sampling techniques. Setting: The study was carried out in the Sydney (Australia) metropolitan area and data were collected in 2007. Method: To obtain a desirable sample size, multivariate techniques including snowball were used. Herek’s (1986) functional approach to attitudes was used to analyze HIV/AIDS stigma in the study population. Results: The findings illustrate that HIV/AIDS-related stigma was dominant among the study population. Overall, participants had negative feelings toward people with HIV/AIDS (PWHA); they were in favour of punitive policies against them and were more likely to avoid having contact with people who had contracted HIV/AIDS. Multiple regression analysis revealed that both instrumental (fear of contamination) and symbolic factors (attitudes towards homosexuals and injecting drug user) independently contributed to HIV/AIDS stigma. Conclusion: The findings suggest that HIV/AIDS stigma has instrumental and symbolic function, and concentrating solely on instrumental (HIV/AIDS transmission routes) factors is less likely to address it properly. Therefore, educational campaigns to reduce HIV/AIDS stigma should also focus on symbolic factors. The findings contribute to the knowledge area of better understanding of HIV/AIDS stigma among ethnic minorities of similar characteristics. The results are valuable for the Iranian community, health service providers, health educators and policy makers.
A new approach to improve the bulkiness of worsted grade wool yarn
Authors: Ali Akbar Merati  
Published: November 2010

In this research, attempts are made to apply an unconventional draft system to improve the bulkiness of worsted yarn made wholly from wool. The general concept of this research is focused on an uneven length distribution of wool fibers and on the principle of the roller drafting system. Modification of the drafting system as well as various roller gauge adjustments provides an appropriate condition to produce a yarn with different physical specifications. A traditional ungrooved and smooth roller is used instead of the traditional grooved roller in the middle top roller of the drafting system and the distance between the front and middle roller pairs of different gauges are adjusted to produce the samples. The results of this research show that the yarn diameter and bulkiness strongly depend on the roller gauge of the drafting system. The yarn produced with the ungrooved roller as the middle top roller of the drafting system shrinks more after immersing in hot water by comparison with the same yarn produced conventionally. The higher shrinkage of the yarns results in higher lateral expansion and higher increases of yarn diameter and bulkiness. Other results show that, the ungrooved roller does not alter the yarn strength and irregularity. According to the results, the highest volume of the yarn produced with the ungrooved roller can be achieved at a gauge adjustment of 12.2 cm in which the frequency of the fibers longer than the roller gauge in the staple diagram is about 8.4%. Consequently, the proper roller gauge of the drafting system should be determined from the staple diagram of the fibers and adjusted to obtain about 8.4% of fibers with a length of longer than the gauge.
Helping others or a rewarding career? Investigating student motivations to train as social workers in England
Authors: Stevens Martin , Moriarty Jo , Manthorpe Jill , Hussein Shereen , Sharpe Endellion , Orme Joan , Mcyntyre Gillian , Cavanagh Kate , Green-Lister Pam , Crisp Beth R 
Published: November 2010

• Summary: Understanding why people want to be social workers is important both for developing social work education and for the profession as a whole. This article presents evidence about the motivations of students enrolled on social work degree programmes in England and draws on data from 3000 responses of three successive intakes of students responding to six online surveys and 26 focus group interviews involving 168 students from nine different social work programmes in six case study sites. The article locates these data in the context of earlier studies of social workers’ motivations, the changing policy context and the changes introduced by the new degree. • Findings: Similar to previous studies, the current analysis shows that altruistic motivations dominated, but students were also influenced by career issues and the day-to-day aspects of social work. The data highlight continuities with the former qualification in social work in the UK (the DipSW) and provide evidence that the introduction of the social work degree has not dramatically changed the underlying motivations of social work students. • Applications: Understanding student motivations is important in terms of recruitment to social work qualifying programmes and subsequent retention within the profession. Social work educators and employers need to pay attention to the consequences of mismatches between motivations and expectations about what professional practice involves.
Work-related factors that impact social work practitioners’ subjective well-being: Well-being in the workplace
Authors: Shier Micheal L , Graham John R 
Published: November 2010

• Summary: This research is among the first to analyze social work practitioners’ workplace subjective well-being (SWB), the social scientific concept of happiness. From an initial survey of 646 social workers, 13 respondents with the highest SWB scores were interviewed: a cohort that can teach us much about creating and sustaining SWB. • Findings: The following reports on one aspect of those qualitative findings: the work related factors that impact overall SWB. Researchers found that the respondents’ overall SWB was impacted by characteristics of their work environment (i.e. physical, cultural, and systemic), interrelationships at work (i.e. with clients, colleagues, and supervisors), and specific aspects of the job (i.e. factors associated with both workload and type of work). • Applications: The findings are discussed in relation to social work administration, and future research. There are implications for direct social work practitioners, managers, and educators, and in particular with regard to workplace environments that support social worker SWB.