bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variation in the Cervical Cancer Screening Compliance among Women with Disability
Authors: Chen Long-Sheng , Chou Yiing-Jenq , Tsay Jen-Huoy , Lee Cheng-Hua , Chou Pesus , Huang Nicole 
Published: June 2009

Objective To investigate the relationship between the level of disability and regular Pap smear testing among women in Taiwan and explore how this relationship may vary with the various levels of physician availability. Methods This population-based cohort study followed a total of 5,469,581 women from Taiwan, who were 30 years old or older in 2001 and covered the period January 2001 to December 2003. Of the total study population, 184,701 individuals were women with disability. Gynecologist-obstetrician/general practitioner to female population ratio was used as an indicator of physician availability. Multiple logistical regression models were used. Results After adjusting for age, socioeconomic status, racial group, residence area and physician availability, women with severe disability (OR = 0.38; 95% CI: 0.38, 0.39) were the least likely to undergo Pap smear testing. Women with moderate disability (OR = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.58, 0.60) and mild disability (OR = 0.88; 95% CI: 0.86, 0.89) were also significantly less likely to undergo a routine test than women without disability. Women residing in the areas with the greatest physician availability (OR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.93, 0.94) were significantly less likely to undergo a Pap test than those in the areas with the lowest level of resource availability. The disparity in routine screening between women with and without disability remained across the different levels of physician availability. Conclusions In Taiwan, women with disability were found to be at higher risk of lower compliance than women without disability. The gap between women with and without disability persisted across different levels of physician availability.
Validity of Self-reported Pap Smear History in Norwegian Women
Authors: Klungsøyr Ole , Nygård Mari , Skare Gry , Eriksen Tormod , Nygård Jan F 
Published: June 2009

Objectives To assess the validity of self-reported Papanicolau (Pap) smear history in Norwegian women and to identify characteristics that influence the validity. Methods Interview data from a sample of 16,574 Norwegian women, aged 18–45, in 2004–2005, was compared with information from the population-based cytology register. Crude validity in the self-reports with respect to ever/never having taken a Pap smear was summarized. The validity of the reported interval since last Pap smear was assessed by a smoothed distribution of the reported interval, stratified by the registered interval. Characteristics of influence on validity were identified by logistic regression for true positives (sensitivity and positive predictive value), true negatives (specificity and negative predictive value) and for more than one year discrepancy in time since last Pap smear, between reported and registered interval. Results Overall validity was summarized by: concordance = 0.9, sensitivity = 0.97, positive predictive value = 0.92, specificity = 0.55, negative predictive value = 0.78 and report-to-records ratio = 1.51. The variance in the reported interval increased proportionally with the registered interval, and women tended to underestimate the interval (telescoping). Age and registered number of years since last Pap smear had the strongest influence on ever/never and time interval validity, respectively. Conclusions Estimated screening rates, based on self-reporting without organized screening, are biased. Telescoping leads to increased risk for developing invasive disease, because women will postpone their next Pap smear.
League Tables of Breast Cancer Screening Units: Worst-case and Best-case Scenario Ratings Helped in Exposing Real Differences between Performance Ratings
Authors: Lemmers Oscar , Broeders Mireille , Verbeek André , Den Heeten Gerard , Holland Roland , Borm George F 
Published: June 2009

Objectives Data on the performance of health boards, hospitals and medical specialists, etc., are being collected at various levels in the health-care system and are often presented as league tables. These tables ignore natural variation and/or confounders, and this introduces uncertainty about their interpretation. The purpose of this study was to devise and illustrate a method to expose the real difference between the ratings in league tables. Methods Two values per rating were added to the league tables: the best-case scenario and the worst-case scenario. True performance will lie somewhere between these two values. The method is illustrated using data from the Dutch breast cancer screening programme. Results By focusing on one performance indicator and one confounder, it was possible to show shifts in the rating order of breast cancer screening units and thus expose the uncertainty about the true performance of each screening unit. Conclusions The worst-case and best-case scenario ratings demonstrated the uncertainty within the ratings of a league table. League tables should therefore only be used with great caution and after providing the public with sufficient information.
Differences in Endpoints between the Swedish W-E (Two County) Trial of Mammographic Screening and the Swedish Overview: Methodological Consequences
Authors: Holmberg L , Duffy S W , Yen A M F , Tabár L , Vitak B , Nyström L , Frisell J 
Published: June 2009

Objectives To characterize and quantify the differences in the number of cases and breast cancer deaths in the Swedish W-E Trial compared with the Swedish Overview Committee (OVC) summaries and to study methodological issues related to trials in secondary prevention. Setting The study population of the W-E Trial of mammography screening was included in the first (W and E county) and the second (E-county) OVC summary of all Swedish randomized mammography screening trials. The OVC and the W-E Trial used different criteria for case definition and causes of death determination. Method A Review Committee compared the original data files from Wand E county and the first and second OVC. The reason for a discrepancy was determined individually for all non-concordant cases or breast cancer deaths. Results Of the 2615 cases included by the W-E Trial or the OVC, there were 478 (18%) disagreements. Of the disagreements 82% were due to inclusion/exclusion criteria, and 18% to disagreement with respect to cause of death or vital status at ascertainment. For E-County, the OVC inclusion rules and register based determination of cause of death (second OVC) rather than individual case review (W-E Trial and 1st OVC) resulted in a reduction of the estimate of the effect of screening, but for W-County the difference between the original trial and the OVC was modest. Conclusions The conclusion that invitation to mammography screening reduces breast cancer mortality remains robust. Disagreements were mainly due to study design issues, while disagreements about cause of death were a minority. When secondary research does not adhere to the protocols of the primary research projects, the consequences of such design differences should be investigated and reported. Register linkage of trials can add follow-up information. The precision of trials with modest size is enhanced by individual monitoring of case status and outcome status such as determination of cause of death.
The Ability of the Quadruple Test to Predict Adverse Perinatal Outcomes in a High-risk Obstetric Population
Authors: Lao Michael R , Calhoun Byron C , Bracero Luis A , Wang Ying , Seybold Dara J , Broce Mike , Hatjis Christos G 
Published: June 2009

Objective To determine the ability of the quadruple Down's syndrome screening test (quad screen) to predict other adverse perinatal outcomes (APO) in a high-risk obstetric population. Setting A tertiary medical centre in West Virginia. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 342 obstetric patients with quad screen data from a single clinic. The quad screen included maternal serum levels of alphafetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), uncongjugated oestriol (uE3), and inhibin A. The risk of APO was compared between patients with at least one abnormal marker versus no abnormal markers and ≥2 abnormal markers versus <2 abnormal markers. Abnormal markers were determined by cut-off values produced by Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curves and the FASTER trial. Unadjusted and adjusted effects were estimated using logistic regression analysis. Results The risk of having an APO increased significantly for patients with abnormal markers by about three-fold using ROC and two-fold using FASTER trial thresholds. Conclusions The quad screen shows value in predicting risk of APO in high-risk patients.
Catalytic hydrogenolysis of ethanol organosolv lignin
Authors: Nagy Máté , David Kasi , Britovsek George J.P. , Ragauskas Arthur J. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
The production of ethanol based on lignocellulosic materials will bring about the coproduction of significant amounts of under-utilized lignin. This study examines the potential of conventional heterogeneous and novel homogeneous catalysts for the selective cleavage of the aryl-O-aryl and aryl-O-aliphatic linkages of ethanol organosolv lignin to convert it from a low grade fuel to potential fuel precursors or other value added chemicals. The development of hydrogenolysis conditions that effectively increase the solubility of lignin were initially examined with Ru(Cl)2(PPh3)3 and demonstrated the ability to decrease the molecular weight and enhance the solubility of the lignin polymer. Later studies examined several heterogeneous and homogeneous hydrogenation catalysts at optimized reaction conditions resulting in 96.4% solubility with Ru(Cl)2(PPh3)3, increase in H/C ratio with Raney-Ni, Pt/C and extensive monomer formation with NaBH4/I2. The changes in molecular structure of lignin were followed by size exclusion chromatography, qualitative and quantitative NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. These studies demonstrated that aryl-O-aryl and aryl-O-aliphatic linkages could be cleaved and the hydrogenated lignin had a decrease in oxygen functionality and the formation of products with lower oxygen content.
Effect of surface modification of beech wood flour on mechanical and thermal properties of poly (3-hydroxybutyrate)/wood flour composites
Authors: Gregorova Adriana , Wimmer Rupert , Hrabalova Marta , Koller Martin , Ters Thomas , Mundigler Norbert 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), a biodegradable polymer from the polyhydroxyalkanoate biopolyester class, was filled with 20% beech wood flour (WF) to form completely biodegradable films. In the present study, the influence of surface modification of wood flour was investigated on the interfacial adhesion of PHB/WF composites. In addition to a hydrothermal pretreatment, sodium hydroxide and stearic acid were used as surface modifiers. Direct measurement of interfacial adhesion was carried out by mechanical testing and dynamic mechanical analysis. Thermal properties, degree of crystallinity of PHB/WF composites were determined by differential scanning calorimetry. Effects of sodium hydroxide and stearic acid treatment on the adhesion of PHB/WF interface were feeble when no hydrothermal pretreatment was applied. Nevertheless, surface modifiers applied on hydrothermally pretreated WF significantly improved the WF/PHB interface adhesion.
Primary and secondary decay fungi on exposed pine tree logs in the forest
Authors: Kim Gyu-Hyeok , Lim Young Woon , Choi Yong-Seok , Kim Min-Ji , Kim Jae-Jin 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
The successional diversity of basidiomycetous fungi was studied on Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) and pitch pine (Pinus rigida) logs that were left exposed on the forest floor based on fungal surveys conducted after 18, 42, and 54 months of exposure. A total of 131 basidiomycetous isolates were recovered from the logs and grouped by their cultural morphology. Fungal identification was achieved by a BLAST search of partial nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA sequences in GenBank. The results of the 18 month survey revealed that the isolation frequency and fungal diversity were higher for pitch pine than Korean pine. The dominant species found on Korean and pitch pine logs during the first survey were Hypochnicium karstenii and Phlebiopsis gigantea, respectively. In the 42 and 54 month surveys, the primary species were replaced by Hypochnicium eichleri, Phanerochaete
velutina, Phlebia radiata, Rhizochaete sp., and Trametes versicolor. These results showed that decay fungi have host preference for woody materials that vary according to the species of tree being colonized.
Microwave radar for detection of resin defects in Pinus elliottii Engelm var elliottii
Authors: Hislop Greg , Hellicar Andrew D. , Li Li , Greene Kieran , Lewis Chris , Meder Roger 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Surface penetrating microwave radar is identified as a low-cost, reliable, portable, and safe means of detecting resin defects in plantation-grown pine logs. This new method of non-destructively testing logs has the potential to be applied at several intervention points in the value chain, including on standing trees, fallen stems, and merchandised logs either in the forest or in the mill. Results clearly distinguish resin-affected logs from unaffected logs, even in logs of high moisture content.
The Effect of Adjuvants, Pesticide Formulation, and Spray Nozzle Tips on Spray Droplet Size
Authors: Klein Robert N. , Golus Jeffrey A. , Nelms Kelli L. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Many factors, including adjuvants, pesticide formulations, and nozzle tips, affect spray droplet size. It is important to understand these factors as spray droplet size affects both drift and efficacy of pesticides, which is a main concern with pesticide application. A laser particle analyzer was used to determine the spray droplet size and distributions of a range of formulations sprayed through several types of nozzle tips. Nozzles included were extended range flat fan sizes 11003 and 11005 (Spraying Systems XR), air induction flat fan sizes 11005 and 11004 (AI), air induction extended range flat fan size 11005 (AIXR), preorifice flat fan size 11005 (TT), and a second preorifice flat fan size 2.5 (TF). Several deposition/retention adjuvants were studied, including Array, Interlock, In-Place, and Thrust. Another study looked at diflufenzopyr + dicamba (Status, BASF) in combination with several adjuvants. Also, three fungicides were evaluated at differing spray volumes. Results indicated that the droplet size of some nozzle tips is more affected than others by changes in the contents of the spray solution.
Modellgestützte Vorsteuerung für messbare StörungenModel Based Feed Forward Control for Measurable Disturbances
Authors: Wurmthaler Christoph , Kühnlein Alexander 
Published: June 2009

Zusammenfassung
Modellgestützte Vorsteuerungen wurden bisher nur zur Einstellung des Führungsverhaltens vorgeschlagen. Der Kurzbeitrag zeigt, dass diese Methode bei allen messbaren Eingangsgrößen, insbesondere bei messbaren Störgrößen anwendbar ist. Damit wird das Regelkreisverhalten für jede messbare Eingangsgröße unabhängig von den anderen einstellbar.
Gedanken zur Zukunft des Automobils
Authors: Guzzella Lino 
Published: June 2009

Zusammenfassung
Eine intensive individuelle Mobilität ist ein typisches Merkmal einer wohlhabenden Gesellschaft. Den vielen Vorteilen dieser Mobilität stehen jedoch leider auch relevante Nachteile gegenüber. In diesem Aufsatz werden zwei daraus erwachsende zentrale Probleme, nämlich der Verbrauch an fossilen Energieträgern und der CO2-Ausstoß, näher betrachtet. In allen Überlegungen wird versucht, ein möglichst ganzheitliches Bild zu skizzieren und technisch realistische Optionen für die Zukunft aufzuzeigen, wobei insbesondere die Rolle der Automatisierungstechnik hervorgehoben wird.
What first principles molecular dynamics can tell us about EXAFS spectroscopy of radioactive heavy metal cations in water
Authors: Duvail Magali , D'Angelo Paola , Gaigeot Marie-Pierre , Vitorge Pierre , Spezia Riccardo 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
In this paper we show how molecular dynamics simulation can improve comprehension of structure and dynamics of water solvent around heavy cations. In particular, metal-water radial distribution function obtained from molecular dynamics can be used into EXAFS equation to improve the experimental signal fitting. Here we show results on structure and dynamics of Co2+, that is a radiocontaminant cation in its isotopic form 60Co, and lanthanoids(III) that are the chemical analogues of actinides(III) in aqueous solution.
Speciation of protactinium(V) at tracer scale
Authors: Le Naour Claire , Di Giandomenico M. V. , Zhao Y. , Mendes M. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Solvent extraction in the conditions of tracer scale chemistry was used to study protactinium(V) complexation with sulphate, chloride, oxalate and diethylene-triamine-pentaacetate. Extraction experiments were conducted using the chelating agent thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTA) in toluene at constant ionic strength and temperature. Information on the species involved in partition equilibria relative to protactinium(V) complexation were deduced from a systematic study of the variations of distribution coefficient of Pa(V) as function of ligands, protons and TTA concentration.
In vivo screening of proteins likely to bind uranium in exposed rat kidney
Authors: Frelon Sandrine , Guipaud Olivier , Mounicou Sandra , Lobinski Ryszard , Delissen Olivia , Paquet F. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Uranium is a naturally abundant element which has been used in several industries. Internal exposure could occur via three main pathways that are ingestion, inhalation and wounds. It has been recently shown that chronic ingestion of uranium in drinking water induces an important uranium accumulation in kidney with a perturbation of iron metabolism in this organ.
Whereas uranium speciation is a key parameter to elucidate the chemical reactivity and the mobility of an element, it remains poorly documented in most of environmental and biological media. A few examples of uranium complexation with biomolecules have been published recently but most of them are in vitro studies whereas in vivo experiments remain poorly investigated.
In order to better understand possible competition of uranium towards metals involved in the metal-protein binding, i.e. iron, copper, calcium, a study on uranium speciation was investigated by doing an in vivo screening of target proteins likely to bind it in kidneys of exposed rats. Rats were chronically exposed via contaminated drinking water at 40 mg L-1 and killed 9 months after the beginning of exposure. Kidneys were dissected out and protein extract was prepared. Then, separation of renal proteins by isoelectric focusing gel electrophoresis (IEF) and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) followed by LA-ICPMS analysis were performed.
IEF-LA-ICP MS showed that uranium could specifically bind few proteins in kidney whereas 2-DE-LA-ICP MS could indicate that uranium is not covalently bound to proteins in this organ. The results suggested that even at moderate concentrations of exposure, uranium can be observed chelated with some renal proteins that is very encouraging to understand the entry, storage and elimination of this element in kidneys.
Structure of early actinides(V) in acidic solutions
Authors: Di Giandomenico M. V. , Naour C. Le , Simoni E. , Guillaumont D. , Moisy Philippe , Hennig Christoph , Conradson Steven D. , Den Auwer C. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Protactinium occupies a key position in the actinide series between thorium and uranium. In aqueous acidic solution, it is stable at oxidation state (V), occurring either as an oxocation or as a naked ion, depending on the media. Very few structural information on the hydration sphere of Pa(V) in acidic medium is available, in particular in hydrofluoric acid. Combined EXAFS and theoretical calculations have been used in this work to characterize the protactinium coordination sphere at various HF concentrations. The correlation of the XAFS data with quantum chemical calculations provides complementary structural and electronic models from ab initio techniques. At HF concentrations from 0.5 to 0.05 M, both theoretical calculations and EXAFS data suggest that the protactinium coordination sphere is mainly composed of fluoride ions. At the lowest HF concentration, the occurrence of a monooxo bond is observed with EXAFS, in agreement with the literature. A comparison of these data with related neptunium(V) and plutonium(V) diooxocations in perchloric acid is also presented.
Assessment of uranium and selenium speciation in human and bacterial biological models to probe changes in their structural environment
Authors: Avoscan L. , Milgram Sarah , Untereiner Guillaume , Collins Richard , Khodja H. , Covès Jacques , Hazemann Jean-Louis , Carrière M. , Gouget B. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
This study illustrates the potential of physicochemical techniques to speciate uranium (U) and selenium (Se) in biological samples. Speciation, defined here as the study of structural environment, of both toxic elements, was characterized at several levels in biological media and directly in human cells or bacteria once the metal(loid)s were internalized. External speciation that is extracellular speciation in culture media was predicted by thermodynamic equilibrium computer modelling using the JChess software and validated by spectroscopic measurements (XANES and EXAFS). Internal speciation that is intracellular speciation in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells was studied in vitro with a soil bacterium Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34 and ROS 17/2.8 osteoblasts, human cells responsible for bone formation. XANES, EXAFS, HPLC-ICP-MS and SDS-PAGE coupled to particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) permitted the identification and quantification of complexes formed with organic or inorganic molecules and/or larger proteins.
Jazz as Democracy? Dave Brubeck and Cold War Politics
Authors: Crist Stephen A. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
The Dave Brubeck Quartet's 1958 tour on behalf of the U.S. State Department, part of the grand Cold War project of propagating American-style democracy in opposition to communism, did not advance in an orderly and self-evident manner. Rather it was an extremely contingent enterprise enacted through countless individual actions and statements by a motley assortment of bureaucrats and businessmen, and frequently teetered on the brink of chaos. The story of Brubeck's tour, including its evolution and impact, is complex and multifaceted, involving overlapping and conflicting agendas, governmental secrecy, high-minded idealism, and hard-nosed business. The narrative also raises issues of race and race relations in the context of the Cold War struggle against communism and brings into focus the increasing cultural prestige of jazz and other popular genres worldwide during the period when the ideological premises of the Cold War were being formulated.
Thirty years later—in 1988, as the Cold War was waning—the Quartet performed in Moscow at the reciprocal state dinner hosted by President Ronald Reagan for General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev during their fourth summit meeting. The sequence of events leading up to this occasion, including the Quartet's long-anticipated tour of the Soviet Union during the previous year, reveals Brubeck to have been not only a talented musician but a canny entrepreneur as well. By the late 1980s the cultural and political landscape had shifted so dramatically as to be virtually unrecognizable to the Cold Warriors of the 1950s.
By all accounts, Brubeck's tours in the 1950s and 1980s were among the most successful of their kind. Though Brubeck attributes their efficacy primarily to the power of an influential idea that came into its own toward the beginning of the Cold War—namely, jazz as democracy—the documentary record makes clear that the impact of his travels involved a multifarious nexus of other factors as well, including reputation, personality, and marketability.