bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Airborne‐Particle Abrasion and Aqueous Storage on Flexural Properties of Fiber‐Reinforced Dowels
Authors: Petrie Cynthia S. , Walker Mary P. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractPurpose: A great range of clinical failures have been observed with fiber‐reinforced dowels, often attributed to fracture or bending of the dowels. This study investigated flexural properties of fiber‐reinforced dowels, with and without airborne‐particle abrasion, after storage in aqueous environments over time. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to analyze the mode of failure of dowels.Materials and Methods: Two dowel systems (ParaPost Fiber Lux and FibreKor) were evaluated. Ten dowels of each system were randomly assigned to one of six experimental groups: 1 – control, dry condition; 2 – dowels airborne‐particle abraded and then stored dry; 3 – dowels stored for 24 hours in aqueous solution at 37°C; 4 – dowels airborne‐particle abraded followed by 24‐hour aqueous storage at 37°C; 5 – dowels stored for 30 days in aqueous solution at 37°C; 6 – dowels airborne‐particle abraded followed by 30‐day aqueous storage at 37°C. Flexural strength and flexural modulus were tested for all groups according to American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard D4476. One failed dowel from each group was randomly selected to be evaluated with SEM equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) to characterize the failure pattern. One intact dowel of each system was also analyzed with SEM and EDS for baseline information.Results: Mean flexural modulus and strength of ParaPost Fiber Lux dowels across all conditions were 29.59 ± 2.89 GPa and 789.11 ± 89.88 MPa, respectively. Mean flexural modulus and strength of FibreKor dowels across all conditions were 25.58 ± 1.48 GPa and 742.68 ± 89.81 MPa, respectively. One‐way ANOVA and a post hoc Dunnett's t‐test showed a statistically significant decrease in flexural strength as compared to the dry control group for all experimental groups stored in water, for both dowel systems (p < 0.05). Flexural modulus for both dowel systems showed a statistically significant decrease only for dowels stored in aqueous solutions for 30 days (p < 0.05). Airborne‐particle abrasion did not have an effect on flexural properties for either dowel system (p > 0.05). SEM and EDS analyses revealed differences in composition and failure mode of the two dowel systems. Failed dowels of each system revealed similar failure patterns, irrespective of the experimental group.Conclusions: Aqueous storage had a negative effect on flexural properties of fiber‐reinforced dowels, and this negative effect appeared to increase with longer storage times. The fiber/resin matrix interface was the weak structure for the dowel systems tested.
Continuous versus Intermittent Monitoring of Ventricular Rate in Patients with Permanent Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: ZIEGLER PAUL D. , KOEHLER JODI L. , VERMA ATUL 
Published: March 2012

Background:

Ventricular rate control (VRC) is an important treatment strategy for patients with permanent atrial fibrillation (AF). We assessed the prevalence of poor VRC and the adequacy of various intermittent monitoring regimens to accurately characterize VRC during permanent AF.
Methods:

We retrospectively analyzed data from dual chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT‐D) patients in the Medtronic Discovery™ Link having permanent AF (AF burden >23 hours/day) and ≥365 consecutive days of device data. Poor VRC was defined as a day with the mean ventricular rate during AF >100 beats/minute (bpm) for ICD patients and >90 bpm for CRT‐D patients. Intermittent monitoring regimens were simulated from continuous device data by randomly selecting subsets of days in which data were available for analysis. Assessments of poor VRC were computed after replicating 1,000 simulations.
Results:

ICD (n = 1,902, age = 71 ± 10) and CRT‐D (n = 3,397, age = 72 ± 9) patients were included and followed for 365 days. The prevalence of poor VRC was 24.8% among ICD patients and 28.6% among CRT‐D patients. Significantly more patients were identified as having poor VRC with continuous monitoring compared to all intermittent monitoring regimens (sensitivity range = 8%–31%). Furthermore, 11.6% of ICD patients and 17.9% of CRT‐D patients experienced ≥7 days with poor VRC, to which the sensitivities of annual 7‐ and 21‐day recordings were <7% and <20%, respectively.
Conclusions:

A significant proportion of permanent AF patients experience poor VRC that would be missed with random intermittent monitoring. Whether improved knowledge of VRC with continuous monitoring will lead to improved outcomes compared to intermittent monitoring requires further study. (PACE 2012;1–7)
Reversible paraneoplastic encephalitis in three patients with ovarian neoplasms
Authors: TANYI JANOS L. , MARSH EVELYN B. , DALMAU JOSEP , CHU CHRISTINA S. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract Anti‐N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis is a recently described potentially lethal but treatable disorder that often occurs as a paraneoplastic manifestation of ovarian teratomas. We report three women with this disorder who presented with subacute onset of delirium, seizures and autonomic instability. Anti‐NMDA receptor antibodies were detectable in the serum or cerebrospinal fluid of each patient. Ovarian masses were detected in two patients, and subsequently excised. In the third patient, an empirical bilateral salpingo‐oophorectomy was performed and revealed a microscopic neoplasm. All patients experienced slow reversal of the neurological symptoms following surgery and immunotherapy. Our experience suggests that prompt syndrome recognition followed by tumor removal and immunotherapy usually results in neurological recovery.
Association betweenCYP1A2gene single nucleotide polymorphisms and clinical responses to clozapine in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia
Authors: Rajkumar Anto P. , Poonkuzhali B. , Kuruvilla Anju , Srivastava Alok , Jacob Molly , Jacob K. S. 
Published: March 2012

ObjectivesDespite clozapine's superior clinical efficacy in treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS), its adverse effects, need for periodic leukocyte monitoring, cost and variable clinical outcomes mandate a clinical need to predict its treatment response. Although cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) is the principal determinant of metabolism of clozapine, the role ofCYP1A2gene in the clinical response to clozapine is uncertain. Hence, we investigated its association with treatment responses and adverse events of clozapine in TRS.MethodsWe evaluated four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in theCYP1A2gene, clinical responses and serum clozapine levels in 101 consecutive patients with TRS on stable doses of clozapine. We defined clozapine responsea prioriand investigated allelic and genotypic associations. We assessed the socio-demographic and clinical profiles, premorbid adjustment, traumatic life events, cognition and disability of the participants, using standard assessment schedules for appropriate multivariate analyses.ResultsOur results revealed thatCYP1A2gene SNP (*1C, *1D, *1Eand*1F) were not associated with clozapine treatment response, adverse effects, serum clozapine levels or with disability (pvalues > 0.10).ConclusionAsCYP1A2gene SNP do not help to predict the clinical response to clozapine, routine screening for them prior to start clozapine is currently unwarranted. We suggest future longitudinal genome-wide association studies investigating clinical and pharmacogenetic variables together.
Doing Building Work: Methods at the Interface of Geography and Architecture
Authors: JACOBS JANE M. , CAIRNS STEPHEN , STREBEL IGNAZ 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThis paper summarises the methodological approach taken in an interdisciplinary project involving geographers and architects. The project charted the diverse afterlives of the modernist‐inspired, state‐sponsored, residential high‐rise, and did so drawing on two cases: Red Road Estate in Glasgow and Bukit Ho Swee Estate in Singapore. In offering a specific account of, and reflection upon, the methodologies used in the High‐rise Project, we hope to advance the methodological repertoire of human geography generally and contribute further to the new wave of scholarship on geography and architecture.
Psychological Traumas of War: Training School Counselors as Home‐Front Responders
Authors: Waliski Angie , Kirchner JoAnn E. , Shue Valorie M. , Bokony Patti A. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractPurpose: With nearly 3 million US troops having deployed for Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) since the conflicts began, an estimated 2 million children have been separated from a parent. This manuscript describes a collaborative project between a state's Veterans Healthcare System, a branch of the American Counseling Association, and a medical university on the OEF/OIF/OND deployment experience.Methods: The project sought to educate school counselors about experiences of OEF/OIF/OND families and learn from their observations as home‐front responders in public schools during a 2‐day summer workshop. This manuscript describes the framework of the workshop, pre/post evaluation results, and implications for counselors, educators, and supervisors.Findings: School counselors identified childcare and parenting, emotions and behaviors, finances, and barriers to counseling services as challenges for military children and families. Following the workshop, school counselors reported a greater knowledge concerning understanding aspects of outreach for schools and communities in working with veterans and their families. They also reported a better understanding of the impact of war on military families and knowledge of local and state resources for this population. Specifically, attendees felt they could better identify issues and needs of OEF/OIF/OND families with young children, recommend parenting skills to assist these families, and recognize their psychiatric or medical issues.Conclusion: In addressing the mental health disparities of military children experiencing combat‐related parental separation, it is important to identify protective environments that could provide prevention interventions for this population. Collaboration between the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and Department of Education could help support military families and a society facing continued conflicts abroad.
Factors Affecting the Methanol Content and Yield of Plum Brandy
Authors: Zhang Hui , Woodams Edward E. , Hang Yong D. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract:  This study was conducted to determine the influence of plum cultivar, harvest year, and plum component on the methanol content and the yield of plum brandy. Seven plum cultivars (Geneva Mirabelle, French Damson, Pozegaca, Oblinaya, Early Golden, Lohr, and Rosy Gage) grown in the Finger Lakes fruit region of New York State were processed into mash and juice. The samples of plum mash or juice were fermented with commercial Red Star wine yeast Montrachet (Sachharomyces cerevisiae Davis 522) for 12 d. The fermented samples were distilled, and the distillates were analyzed for methanol, ethanol, and higher alcohols by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Duncan's multiple range tests show significant differences in the methanol content and the yield of plum brandy made from 7 plum cultivars. The harvest year also had a significant effect on the methanol content and the yield of plum brandy. Student's t‐test results indicate that plum juices gave a lower methanol content of brandy than plum mashes without significantly reducing the brandy yield. The results of the current research can be used by the industry to select the better plum cultivar and to adopt the process to improve the product yield and quality.Practical Application:  The brandy industry can apply the results of the current research to improve product yield and to reduce the methanol content of plum brandy. The economic benefits to the brandy producers adopting the brandy production process will be significant due to the sales of new products with an acceptable level of methanol.
Modulation of Optical Properties of Dissolved Humic Substances by their Molecular Complexity†
Authors: Mignone Ricardo A. , Martin Marcela V. , Morán Vieyra Faustino E. , Palazzi Valeria I. , López de Mishima Beatriz , Mártire Daniel O. , Borsarelli Claudio D. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractIn this study, we show that several UV–Vis absorbance, steady‐state and time‐resolved fluorescence parameters of a series of dissolved humic substances (DHS) from different sources (e.g. terrestrial fulvic and humic acids, and humic acid‐like molecules extracted from composted and vermicomposted wastes) correlate with the molar absorptivity at 280 nm per mole of organic carbon (ε280), which in turn is proportional to the molecular complexity (e.g. molecular size, aromaticity and oxidation degree) of the DHS. Both absorbance and fluorescence spectral responses were sensitive to the molecular complexity associated with the maturation degree of the DHS. Depending on the DHS, different emitting responses by excitation at the UVA (340 nm) and VIS (460 nm) regions of the absorption spectra were observed. The results were explained in terms of the extent of intramolecular electronic interactions between electron donor groups, such as polyhydroxylated aromatics and indoles, and more oxidized acceptor groups (e.g. quinones or other oxidized aromatics) as the molecular complexity of the DHS increased.
Entrepreneurship – A Suitable Case for Sociological Treatment
Authors: Watson Tony J. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractEntrepreneurs are of great interest inside and outside the academic world. But there are considerable ambiguities and confusions about the nature of entrepreneurship among members of the public and entrepreneurship scholars alike, with the latter typically failing to locate entrepreneurial activities fully in their historical and societal contexts. Even work in the sociology of entrepreneurship is achieving less than might be expected in this respect. To overcome these problems it is helpful to return to basic sociological principles associated with Durkheim, Weber and Wright Mills and work with two newer sociological concepts; those of ‘institutional logics’ and ‘situated creativity’. Working in this way encourages us to drop entirely the analytical concept of ‘entrepreneur’ and to study, instead, ‘entrepreneurial action’– a concept which enables us to appreciate the relationship between the making of adventurous, creative or innovative exchanges in societies and both the organisational and the societal/institutional/historical settings in which these comes about – for better or worse.
Reactions to a Partner‐Assisted Emotional Disclosure Intervention: Direct Observation and Self‐Report of Patient and Partner Communication
Authors: Porter Laura S. , Baucom Donald H. , Keefe Francis J. , Patterson Emily S. 
Published: March 2012

Partner‐assisted emotional disclosure is a couple‐based intervention designed to help patients disclose cancer‐related concerns to their spouses–partners. We previously found that, compared with an education/support control condition, partner‐assisted emotional disclosure led to significant improvements in relationship quality and intimacy for couples in which the patient initially reported holding back from discussing cancer‐related concerns (Porter et al., 2009, Cancer, 115, 4326–4338). The purpose of this study was to examine the process data from couples who participated in the disclosure sessions including (a) observational ratings of couples’ communication during the sessions; (b) couples’ ratings of their communication during the sessions; and (c) associations between participants’ observed communication and their baseline psychological/relationship functioning. As rated by trained observers, couples’ communication was in the moderate range of adaptive skills. Self‐report data indicated that participants had positive perceptions of their communication. Observational and self‐report ratings were weakly associated. Patients reporting lower levels of relationship quality, higher levels of holding back, and higher partner avoidance at baseline were rated by observers as more expressive during the sessions. Overall, these findings suggest that the intervention was acceptable to couples and was particularly helpful for patients who had difficulty talking with their partners on their own without skills training.
Thrombocytosis: a retrospective study of 165 dogs
Authors: Neel Jennifer A. , Snyder Laura , Grindem Carol B. 
Published: March 2012

BackgroundThrombocytosis has been associated with various conditions, including inflammation, neoplasia, iron deficiency, splenectomy, and drug administration.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to characterize diseases and conditions associated with thrombocytosis in dogs.MethodsIn this retrospective study, dogs with thrombocytosis (platelet count > 600 × 103/μL) and complete medical records during a 1‐year period were included, and breed, sex, age,CBCresults, alkaline phosphatase and gamma‐glutamyltransferase activities in some dogs, administration of glucocorticoids or vincristine, and primary diagnosis were evaluated.ResultsThrombocytosis was found in 240 of 5342 dogs (4.6%), and 165 (3.1%) met inclusion criteria. Thrombocytosis was secondary in all dogs, and underlying diseases and conditions (n,%) were neoplasia (56, 33.9%), inflammation (55, 33.3%), miscellaneous disorders (26, 15.8%), neoplasia plus a second disease (13, 7.9%), endocrine diseases (8, 4.8%), and multiple diseases (7, 4.2%). In dogs with neoplasia, carcinomas (24) and round cell neoplasms (20), especially lymphoma and mast cell tumor, were the most frequent tumors. Inflammatory disorders consisted of immune‐mediated disorders (11), neurologic diseases (8), infectious diseases (6), allergic disease (5), orthopedic diseases (4), gastrointestinal diseases (4), and miscellaneous conditions (17). Of the 165 dogs, 73 (44.2%) had received glucocorticoids (55) or vincristine (18) Marked (850–969 × 103platelets/μL) or extreme ( ≥ 970 × 103platelets/μL) thrombocytosis occurred in 24 (14.5%) dogs; 12 (50.0%) had neoplasia. Thromboembolism occurred in 13 (7.9%) dogs.ConclusionsThrombocytosis in dogs occurred most frequently secondary to neoplastic and inflammatory diseases and was commonly associated with glucocorticoid and vincristine administration. Thromboembolic complications occurred in a small number of patients. Marked or extreme thrombocytosis was more likely to occur with neoplasia than with other conditions.
Involvement of heparan sulfate 3‐O‐sulfotransferase isoform‐1 in the insulin secretion pathway
Authors: Takahashi Iwao , Ohashi Kazuaki , Nata Koji 
Published: March 2012

AbstractAims/Introduction:  Heparan sulfate (HS) mediates a variety of molecular recognition events that are essential for differentiation, morphogenesis and homeostasis through various HS forms that result from differential sulfate modification. Recently, we found that HS is localized exclusively around βß‐cells in islets of adult mice and is required for insulin secretion. The aim of this study was to examine the contribution of HS sulfate groups to insulin secretion.Materials and Methods:  Glucose‐induced insulin secretion (GIIS) was examined in mouse pancreatic islets, the mouse pancreatic β‐cell line MIN6 cells and its derivative MIN6T3 cells after removal of sulfate groups by sodium chlorate, a competitive inhibitor of glycosaminoglycan sulfation. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used for analyzing messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of HS modification enzymes. Expression of HS 3‐O‐sulfotransferase isoform‐1 (Hs3st1) was silenced and GIIS was examined.Results:  Impaired insulin secretion by islets, MIN6 cells and MIN6T3 cells was observed after treatment with sodium chlorate. Sodium chlorate‐treatment upregulated the mRNA expression of sulfotransferases expressed in MIN6T3 cells. Expression of the Hs3st1 was strongly upregulated by sodium chlorate‐treatment, and its silencing by RNA interference reduced GIIS in MIN6T3 cells.Conclusions:  Our data suggest that the 3‐O‐sulfate group of HS that is modified by Hs3st1 plays a significant role(s) in the insulin secretory pathway, selectively through an interaction with factor(s) upstream of membrane depolarization in β‐cells. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040‐1124.2012.00205.x, 2012)
The motor cortex drives the muscles during walking in human subjects
Authors: Petersen T. H. , Willerslev‐Olsen M. , Conway B. A. , Nielsen J. B. 
Published: March 2012

Key points
It is often assumed that automatic movements such as walking require little conscious attention and it has therefore been argued that these movements require little cortical control.
In humans, however, the gait function is often heavily impaired or completely lost following cortical lesions such as stroke.
In this study we investigated synchrony between cortical signals recorded with electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyographic signals (EMG activity) recorded from the tibialis anterior muscle (TA) during walking.
We found evidence of synchrony in the frequency domain (coherence) between the primary motor cortex and the TA muscle indicating a cortical involvement in human gait function.
This finding underpins the importance of restoration of the activity and connectivity between the motor cortex and the spinal cord in the recovery of gait function in patients with damage of the central nervous system.
Carriage of an ACME II Variant May Have Contributed to Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Sequence Type 239-Like Strain Replacement in Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, Australia
Authors: Espedido B. A. , Steen J. A. , Barbagiannakos T. , Mercer J. , Paterson D. L. , Grimmond S. M. , Cooper M. A. , Gosbell I. B. , van Hal S. J. , Jensen S. O. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

Approximately 39% of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) sequence type 239 (ST239)-like bloodstream isolates from Liverpool Hospital (obtained between 1997 and 2008) carry an arginine catabolic mobile element (ACME). Whole-genome sequencing revealed that an ACME II variant is located between
orfX
and SCC
mec
III, and based on pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns and temporal relationships of all ST239-like isolates (
n
= 360), ACME carriage may have contributed to subpulsotype strain replacement.