bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Depressive symptoms and pragmatic rehabilitation for chronic
fatigue syndrome
Authors: Wearden A. J. , Dunn G. , Dowrick C. , Morriss R. K. 
Published: July 2012

BackgroundPrevious research has suggested that depressed mood may predict outcome
and moderate response to treatment in chronic fatigue syndrome, although
findings have differed between studies.AimsTo examine potential moderators of response to pragmatic rehabilitation
v. general practitioner treatment as usual in a
recent randomised trial for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome in
primary care (IRCTN74156610).MethodSimple regressions, with weighting adjustments to allow for missing data,
were calculated. Demographic, medical and psychological variables, and
treatment arm, were entered separately and as an interaction term. The
outcome variable in each case was change in Chalder Fatigue Scale scores,
from baseline to 1-year follow-up, our primary outcome point.ResultsLonger illness durations predicted poorer outcome across the two
treatment arms. For patients allocated to pragmatic rehabilitation
compared with those allocated to treatment as usual, higher levels of
depressive symptoms at baseline were associated with smaller improvements
in fatigue (P = 0.022).ConclusionsFor patients in primary care with higher levels of depressive symptoms,
either more intensive or longer pragmatic rehabilitation, or
cognitive–behavioural therapy, may be required in order to show a
significant improvement in fatigue.
Laser Control of Chemical Reactions by Phase Space Structures
Authors: Kawai Shinnosuke , Komatsuzaki Tamiki 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
The question of what initial conditions or what kinds of laser fields can effectively carry a system to the desired products is one of the most intriguing subjects in chemistry. In this paper, a scheme for designing a laser field to guide a chemical reaction system into the product is presented on the basis of the phase space structure of the reaction with an illustrative simple example. The method exploits recent findings [Kawai et al., J. Chem. Phys.2011, 134, 024317] that have revealed the existence of a rigorous reactivity boundary separating the reactive and nonreactive trajectories in the phase space (more precisely, the semiclassical phase space representation of the quantum system). Referring to the time propagation of the system, the method designs an electric field that actively shifts this reactivity boundary so that it catches more the system in the reactant and releases the system in the product. The success of this scheme for designing of the field gives a further support to the interpretation for the laser control of chemical reactions.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Adherence in Diabetes Questionnaire
Authors: Kristensen Lene J. , Thastum Mikael , Mose Anne H. , Birkebaek Niels H. ,   the Danish Society for Diabetes in Childhood and Adolescence
Published: July 2012

OBJECTIVETo assess the psychometric properties of a short, new, self-administered questionnaire (17–19 items) for evaluating the adherence behavior of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes and their caregivers. This instrument has separate versions depending on the means of insulin administration, i.e., continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (Adherence in Diabetes Questionnaire [ADQ]-I), or conventional insulin injection (ADQ-C).RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSA total of 1,028 caregivers and 766 children and adolescents 2–17 years of age were recruited through the Danish Registry of Childhood Diabetes and completed the national web survey, including the ADQ and psychosocial measures of self-efficacy, parental support, family conflict, and aspects of diabetes-related quality of life. Blood samples were obtained for central HbA1c analysis. The psychometric properties of the ADQ were evaluated, and the association with glycemic control was assessed.RESULTSThere was good internal consistency for both the youth and caregiver reports and strong agreement between the caregiver and youth reports. Higher ADQ scores, indicating better adherence, were associated with better self-efficacy, more parental support, less diabetes-related conflict, and less experience with treatment barriers. Factor analysis supported maintaining the one-factor structure of the ADQ. Higher ADQ scores were associated with lower HbA1c levels.CONCLUSIONSThe ADQ showed good psychometric properties. Although the test-retest reliability and sensitivity to change of the instrument still need to be established, the ADQ appears to be a valuable tool for assessing adherence in families with children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes in both clinical and research settings.
Plasma COOH-Terminal Proendothelin-1
Authors: Drion Iefke , Kleefstra Nanne , Landman Gijs W.D. , Alkhalaf Alaa , Struck Joachim , Groenier Klaas H. , Bakker Stephan J.L. , Bilo Henk J.G. 
Published: July 2012

OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the association between plasma COOH-terminal proendothelin-1 (CT-proET-1) and fatal cardiovascular events, all-cause mortality, and new-onset albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
A total of 1,225 patients with type 2 diabetes participated in this prospective observational study of two combined cohorts. Three clinical end points were studied: fatal cardiovascular events, all-cause mortality, and new-onset albuminuria. After a median follow-up of 3 or 10 years, Cox proportional hazard modeling was used to investigate the association between CT-proET-1 and the end points. Harrell C statistic, the Groennesby and Borgan test, the integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), and the net reclassification improvement (NRI) were used to evaluate whether CT-proET-1 is of additional value compared with classic cardiovascular and renal risk factors.

RESULTS
During follow-up, 364 (30%) patients died, 150 (42%) of whom died of cardiovascular disease; 182 (26.7%) of 688 patients with normoalbuminuria at baseline developed albuminuria. CT-proET-1 was associated with fatal cardiovascular events, all-cause mortality, and new-onset albuminuria with hazard ratios of 1.59 (95% CI 1.15–2.20), 1.41 (95% CI 1.14–1.74), and 1.48 (95% CI 1.10–2.01), respectively. Addition of CT-proET-1 to a model containing traditional risk factors leads only to improved prediction of fatal cardiovascular events. The IDI appeared significant for fatal cardiovascular events (0.82 [0.1–1.54]) and all-cause mortality (0.4 [0.05–0.92]), but not for new-onset albuminuria.

CONCLUSIONS
CT-proET-1 has additional value for the prediction of fatal cardiovascular events and new-onset albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes, compared with conventional risk factors, but not for all-cause mortality.
Business Cycle Synchronization in Croatia
Authors: Šergo Zdravko , Poropat Amorino , Gržinić Jasmina 
Published: July 2012

Business Cycle Synchronization in CroatiaThe purpose of this paper is to analyze business cycle synchronization in the Croatian economy using various annualized growth rate variables over a period of eighteen years (1992-2010), de-trended by a Hodrick-Prescott filter, and following the Harding and Pagan methodological procedure in the determination of its turning points. Our conceptual analysis of synchronization is based on the technique of concordance indexes and correlation coefficients obtained by the HAC estimators. The main result of the research shows that there is a high degree of probability that dismissal of employees in the Croatian economy will coincide with the contraction phase in industry. The cyclic phase of growth in job creation in great measure coincides with the cyclic phase of growth in exports and the construction sector, as well as with tourist arrivals. There is an almost perfect synchronization between the cyclic phases of the construction sector and imports. The central conclusion of the paper is that this study can establish stylized facts about the dynamics of Croatian business cycles.
Evaluating the Impact of the Informal Economy on Businesses in South East Europe: Some Lessons from the 2009 World Bank Enterprise Survey
Authors: Hudson John , Williams Colin , Orviska Marta , Nadin Sara 
Published: July 2012

Evaluating the Impact of the Informal Economy on Businesses in South East Europe: Some Lessons from the 2009 World Bank Enterprise SurveyThe aim of this paper is to evaluate the variable impacts of the informal economy on businesses and employment relations in South East Europe. Evidence is reported from the 2009 World Bank Enterprise Survey which interviewed 4,720 businesses located in South East Europe. The finding is not only that a large informal sector reduces wage levels but also that there are significant spatial variations in the adverse impacts of the informal economy across this European region. Small, rural and domestic businesses producing for the home market and the transport, construction, garment and wholesale sectors are most likely to be adversely affected by the informal economy. The paper concludes by calling for similar research in other global regions and for a more targeted approach towards tackling the informal economy.
Attitudes Toward Workplace Mobbing in Slovenian Research Organisations
Authors: Horvat Brigita , Pagon Milan 
Published: July 2012

Attitudes Toward Workplace Mobbing in Slovenian Research Organisations
Creating a "mobbing-safe" working environment can be a real challenge; to achieve it, a better understanding of related constructs is necessary. To obtain insight into researchers' attitudes toward workplace mobbing and behavioural intentions, we used a case scenario method. The results show that respondents, on average, consider the mobbing cases presented in a questionnaire to be very serious. Their attitudes and behavioural intentions depend more on their opinion about colleagues' attitudes and related intentions and less on their own, which shows a lower integrity than desired. Low willingness to report the violator, lenient discipline sanctions and the absence of proper organisational rules create favourable conditions for workplace mobbing in Slovenian public research organisations. This paper also proposes measures based on the research findings of various authors and identifies new questions that could be addressed in further research.
Influence of Demographic Factors on Employee Satisfaction and Motivation
Authors: Urošević Snežana , Milijić Nenad 
Published: July 2012

Influence of Demographic Factors on Employee Satisfaction and Motivation
Nowadays, human resource management and development is becoming more significant due to the fact that a man has gained a new place and a new role in all social processes and in their management. The sheer employees' characteristics, i.e., demographic factors, besides the organisational factors, have a certain influence in this area. By adequate understanding of both demographic factors and their influence, it is possible to apply measures to make the employees satisfied and motivated. This paper points out such influences on the employees' satisfaction and motivation. Also, the interaction of certain demographic factors is presented, such as the professional qualification, years of working experience and age, onto employees perceiving satisfaction and motivation and onto respective consequences. In order to determine the employee satisfaction and motivation, the responses from the employees to questions divided into six groups (material conditions, security, acceptance and social component, respect and status, self-confirmation and loyalty), were used. The research was done on a set of 328 employees in the telecommunications sector in Serbia.
Contact Area Determination of Agricultural Tractor Wheel with Soil
Authors: Taghavifar H. , Mardani A. 
Published: July 2012

Contact Area Determination of Agricultural Tractor Wheel with SoilThe study is established based on contact area determination of tractor wheel. The significance of contact area in domain of wheel-soil interactions is considerable. Requirement for contact area estimations has prompted the researchers to determine numerous theoretical models. In this study, an experimental test was conducted inside a soil bin facility providing entirely reliable and controlled condition for the test. The soil bin included a carriage, a single wheel-tester and a frame. The utilized tire was a towed Good year 9.5L-14, 6 radial ply agricultural tractor tire which is used in John Deere tractors This test has the advantage of utilizing images taken of the contact areas and subsequently, using a plantimeter to obtain the values of contact area precisely. Test variables were the two most prominent and influential parameters i.e. tire inflation pressure in three levels (i.e. 100, 150, and 290 kPa) and vertical load applied on wheel in three levels (i.e. 1962, 2943, and 3924 N). The acquired results revealed that there is an increase in contact area induced by increase of vertical load and decrease of contact pressure. Contact area is shown to be highly influenced by vertical load in reduced tire inflation pressures.
Long-Term Effect of Fertilizer and Crop Residue on Soil Fertility in the Moldavian Plateau
Authors: Ailincăi C. , Jităreanu G. , Bucur D. , Ailincăi Despina 
Published: July 2012

Long-Term Effect of Fertilizer and Crop Residue on Soil Fertility in the Moldavian Plateau
Since 1965, at the Agricultural Research Station of Podu-Iloaiei, Iaşi County, Romania (47°12' N latitude, 27°16' E longitude), investigations were conducted on the influence of different fertilizer systems on production and soil fertility. For wheat and maize crops, placed in a three-year rotation (pea - wheat - maize), three fertilization systems were experienced: (1) mineral fertilization with nitrogen and phosphorus rates until N140P100; (2) manure fertilization (20, 40, and 60 t/ha), with and without mineral fertilization and (3) mineral fertilizers + hashed residue applied in autumn under the base ploughing. The paper presented the results of investigations concerning the influence of long-term fertilization (46 years) on some chemical characteristics of Cambic Chernozem from the Moldavian Plateau. The climatic conditions in the Moldavian Plain were characterized by annual mean temperature of 9.6°C and a mean rainfall amount, on 50 years, of 553.5 mm, of which 141.5 mm during September-December and 412.0 mm during January-August. After 46 years of experiences, in pea-wheat-maize crop rotation, the content of organic carbon from soil has decreased by 22.3% (4.2 g/kg soil) at the unfertilized control and by 14.4% (2.7 g/kg soil) at the rate of N120P80. In wheat and maize, nitrogen uptake by weeds was between 7 and 9.5 kg/ha from all the plots. Applying moderate rates of mineral fertilizers (N80P60), together with 6 t/ha wheat straw or 40 t/ha manure, has determined the increase in organic carbon content from soil by 0.5 and, respectively, 2.8 g/kg.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Fall Risk Assessment Tools in People With Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Authors: Jernigan Stephen D. , Pohl Patricia S. , Mahnken Jonathan D. , Kluding Patricia M. 
Published: July 2012

Background
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy affects nearly half of individuals with diabetes and leads to increased fall risk. Evidence addressing fall risk assessment for these individuals is lacking.

Objective
The purpose of this study was to identify which of 4 functional mobility fall risk assessment tools best discriminates, in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, between recurrent “fallers” and those who are not recurrent fallers.

Design
A cross-sectional study was conducted.

Setting
The study was conducted in a medical research university setting.

Participants
The participants were a convenience sample of 36 individuals between 40 and 65 years of age with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Measurements
Fall history was assessed retrospectively and was the criterion standard. Fall risk was assessed using the Functional Reach Test, the Timed “Up & Go” Test, the Berg Balance Scale, and the Dynamic Gait Index. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, and overall diagnostic accuracy were calculated for each fall risk assessment tool. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to estimate modified cutoff scores for each fall risk assessment tool; indexes then were recalculated.

Results
Ten of the 36 participants were classified as recurrent fallers. When traditional cutoff scores were used, the Dynamic Gait Index and Functional Reach Test demonstrated the highest sensitivity at only 30%; the Dynamic Gait Index also demonstrated the highest overall diagnostic accuracy. When modified cutoff scores were used, all tools demonstrated improved sensitivity (80% or 90%). Overall diagnostic accuracy improved for all tests except the Functional Reach Test; the Timed “Up & Go” Test demonstrated the highest diagnostic accuracy at 88.9%.

Limitations
The small sample size and retrospective fall history assessment were limitations of the study.

Conclusions
Modified cutoff scores improved diagnostic accuracy for 3 of 4 fall risk assessment tools when testing people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Characterization and systematic implications of the diversity in timing of programmed cell death of the suspensors in Leguminosae
Authors: Endo Yasuhiko 
Published: July 2012

• Premise of the study: In angiosperm seeds, the developing embryo acquires nutrients via a suspensor that typically undergoes programmed cell death (PCD) at the early cotyledon stage. However, in Leguminosae (the third largest angiosperm family), the suspensors can disappear at the heart‐shaped stage (i.e., prior to the cotyledon stage) or still persist at the cotyledon stage. Here, in a comprehensive survey of legume suspensors and embryos, the variation and the evolutionary direction of timing of suspensor PCD in Leguminosae were characterized, and systematic implications were evaluated.• Methods: Suspensor development and morphology for 66 leguminous species from 49 genera, 21 tribes, and 3 subfamilies were comparatively studied using standard paraffin sectioning and light microscopy.• Key results: Three patterns of suspensor PCD were observed at the early cotyledon stage. (A) The suspensor persisted. (B) The suspensor separated from the wall of the embryo sac and persisted as a vestige at the radicle apex. (C) The suspensor disappeared completely, and the absorption of nutrients by embryo was carried out via a “contact zone” between the embryo and the endosperm. Pattern C of early suspensor PCD was found only in the tribe Fabeae. An ancestral character reconstruction revealed that the long‐lived suspensors of pattern A represented a plesiomorphic condition in Leguminosae and that the suspensors of pattern C evolved only once in the common ancestor of Fabeae.• Conclusions: In Leguminosae, short‐lived suspensors have thus evolved multiple times from long‐lived suspensors. It remains largely unknown, however, how the embryo acquires nutrients after the early suspensor PCD.
Isolation and characteristics of eight novel polymorphic microsatellite loci in Lippia alba (Verbenaceae)
Authors: Santos Fernanda R. C. , Lima Paula F. , Priolli Regina H. G. , Siqueira Walter J. , Colombo Carlos A. 
Published: July 2012

• Premise of the study: A set of eight microsatellite (simple sequence repeat [SSR]) markers for Lippia alba, an important medicinal and cosmetic plant, was developed to aid studies of genetic diversity and to define efficient strategies for breeding programs.• Methods and Results: Using a (CT)8‐ and (GT)8‐enriched library, a total of 11 SSR loci were developed and optimized in L. alba. Of the 11 loci, eight were found to be polymorphic after screening 61 accessions from two populations. The parameters used to characterize loci were expected heterozygosity (He) and number of alleles. A total of 44 alleles were identified, with an average of 5.5 alleles per loci, which were moderately to highly informative according to He.• Conclusions: These new SSR markers have potential for informing genetic diversity, allele mining, and mapping studies and will be used to generate information for breeding programs of L. alba.
Spatially variable natural selection and the divergence between parapatric subspecies of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta, Pinaceae)
Authors: Eckert Andrew J. , Shahi Hurshbir , Datwyler Shannon L. , Neale David B. 
Published: July 2012

• Premise of the study: Plant populations arrayed across sharp environmental gradients are ideal systems for identifying the genetic basis of ecologically relevant phenotypes. A series of five uplifted marine terraces along the northern coast of California represents one such system where morphologically distinct populations of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) are distributed across sharp soil gradients ranging from fertile soils near the coast to podzolic soils ca. 5 km inland.• Methods: A total of 92 trees was sampled across four coastal marine terraces (N = 10–46 trees/terrace) located in Mendocino County, California and sequenced for a set of 24 candidate genes for growth and responses to various soil chemistry variables. Statistical analyses relying on patterns of nucleotide diversity were employed to identify genes whose diversity patterns were inconsistent with three null models.• Key results: Most genes displayed patterns of nucleotide diversity that were consistent with null models (N = 19) or with the presence of paralogs (N = 3). Two genes, however, were exceptional: an aluminum responsive ABC‐transporter with FST = 0.664 and an inorganic phosphate transporter characterized by divergent haplotypes segregating at intermediate frequencies in most populations.• Conclusions: Spatially variable natural selection along gradients of aluminum and phosphate ion concentrations likely accounted for both outliers. These results shed light on some of the genetic components comprising the extended phenotype of this ecosystem, as well as highlight ecotones as fruitful study systems for the detection of adaptive genetic variants.
Glioma Big Potassium Channel Expression in Human Cancers and Possible T Cell Epitopes for Their Immunotherapy
Authors: Ge Lisheng , Hoa Neil T. , Cornforth Andrew N. , Bota Daniela A. , Mai Anthony , Kim Dong In , Chiou Shiun-Kwei , Hickey Michelle J. , Kruse Carol A. , Jadus Martin R. 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Big potassium (BK) ion channels have several spliced variants. One spliced variant initially described within human glioma cells is the glioma BK (gBK) channel. This isoform consists of 34 aa inserted into the intracellular region of the basic BK ion channel. PCR primers specific for this inserted region confirmed that human glioma cell lines and freshly resected surgical tissues from glioblastoma multiforme patients strongly expressed gBK mRNA. Normal human brain tissue very weakly expressed this transcript. An Ab specific for this gBK isoform confirmed that human glioma cells displayed this protein in the cell membrane, mitochondria, Golgi, and endoplasmic reticulum. Within the gBK region, two putative epitopes (gBK1 and gBK2) are predicted to bind to the HLA-A*0201 molecule. HLA-A*0201–restricted human CTLs were generated in vitro using gBK peptide-pulsed dendritic cells. Both gBK1 and gBK2 peptide-specific CTLs killed HLA-A2+/gBK+ gliomas, but they failed to kill non-HLA-A2–expressing but gBK+ target cells in cytolytic assays. T2 cells loaded with exogenous gBK peptides, but not with the influenza M1 control peptide, were only killed by their respective CTLs. The gBK-specific CTLs also killed a variety of other HLA-A*0201+ cancer cells that possess gBK, as well as HLA-A2+ HEK cells transfected with the gBK gene. Of clinical relevance, we found that T cells derived from glioblastoma multiforme patients that were sensitized to the gBK peptide could also kill target cells expressing gBK. This study shows that peptides derived from cancer-associated ion channels maybe useful targets for T cell-mediated immunotherapy.