bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tigecycline for the Treatment of Severe Clostridium difficile Infection
Authors: Larson Kelly C , Belliveau Paul P , Spooner Linda M 
Published: July 2011

Objective: To evaluate the evidence for the use of tigecycline in the treatment of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Data Sources: Searches were performed (2004 to June 2011), using the EMBASE and MEDLINE databases, with the terms tigecycline, Tygacil, Clostridium difficile, C. difficile, Clostridium difficile infection, and CDI. Study Selection: Six case reports that described the use of tigecycline for treatment of CDI were included for review. No clinical trials were identified. Data Synthesis: In all case reports except 1, tigecycline (alone or in combination with other CDI therapies) was used for the treatment of CDI that was refractory to metronidazole and/or vancomycin. In 6 of the cases, treatment success was reported following initiation of tigecycline therapy; 1 patient died following a complicated hospitalization. The treatment duration with tigecycline was 2-4 weeks. In the cases with successful outcomes, symptoms began to improve within 1 week. None of these patients experienced recurrence during follow-up of various lengths. In vitro studies demonstrated a 90% minimum inhibitory concentration range for tigecycline of 0.016-0.25 mg/L for all C. difficile isolates. Tgecycline exhibited good fecal penetration because of primary biliary excretion of unchanged drug. Up to 59% of the dose is recovered in feces following administration over 4 days in healthy volunteers. Conclusions: Case reports have suggested that tigecycline may be successful for treatment of severe or severe complicated CDI, when prior therapy has failed. Data demonstrating tigecycline use as initial therapy for CDI are limited; therefore, this option should be reserved for patients in whom other therapeutic options, including metronidazole and vancomycin, have failed. A randomized controlled trial is needed to assess the safety and efficacy of tigecycline in this patient population and better define the drug's role in the treatment of CDI.
Stereoselective binding of chiral anti-diabetic drug nateglinide to plasma proteins
Authors: Maddi Srinivas , Scriba Gerhard , Yamsani Madhusudan Rao 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
The binding of nateglinide (NA) enantiomers with human plasma (HP), human serum albumin (HSA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated. The protein binding was studied over a drug concentration range of 5–100 μM at a protein concentration of 600 μM. Unbound drug concentrations were determined by direct chiral liquid chromatography using chiralcel OJ-RH column. At therapeutic drug concentrations, the protein binding of each enantiomer was >98%. The results showed that the binding of NA enantiomers was stereoselective, mutually competitive and non-linear. The binding characteristics were, however, opposite for the two most important plasma binding proteins. Opposite stereo-selectivity was observed between BSA and HSA while stereo-selectivity was identical between HSA and HP. Scatchard analysis was used to illustrate the different binding affinities of NA enantiomers to BSA, HSA and HP. The interaction between enantiomers observed in HP and serum albumins was confirmed as a competitive type interaction at the high affinity site. Scatchard analysis was used to illustrate the different binding affinities of NA enantiomers to BSA, HSA and HP.
Towards understanding the nurse/research interaction
Authors: Shahtahmasebi Said , McNamara Nancy 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThere is a lack of clarity in the literature about what nursing research is or ought to be. There are ample guidelines and texts on how to do nursing research and on syllabus development and countless arguments on why nursing research is synonymous with qualitative approach. This suggests concerns within the profession that nursing research has been developing in a direction of its own that could have had very little influence on health care policy development. Some claim the opposite that nursing practice, in particular in North America, has been evidence-based for the past three decades. In this context, evidence-based is often interpreted as taking part in randomised clinical trials. In this paper, we use historical observations to identify areas of interest which include all issues related to education and training, expertise and working environment for future research.
On Arbitrary sets andZFC
Authors: Ferreirós José 
Published: July 2011

AbstractSet theory deals with the most fundamental existence questions in mathematics-questions which affect other areas of mathematics, from the real numbers to structures of all kinds, but which are posed as dealing with the existence of sets. Especially noteworthy are principles establishing the existence of some infinite sets, the so-called “arbitrary sets.” This paper is devoted to an analysis of the motivating goal of studying arbitrary sets, usually referred to under the labels ofquasi-combinatorialismorcombinatorial maximality. After explaining what is meant by definability and by “arbitrariness,” a first historical part discusses the strong motives why set theory was conceived as a theory of arbitrary sets, emphasizing connections with analysis and particularly with the continuum of real numbers. Judged from this perspective, the axiom of choice stands out as a most central and natural set-theoretic principle (in the sense of quasi-combinatorialism). A second part starts by considering the potential mismatch between the formal systems of mathematics and their motivating conceptions, and proceeds to offer an elementary discussion of how far the Zermelo–Fraenkel system goes in laying out principles that capture the idea of “arbitrary sets”. We argue that the theory is rather poor in this respect.
Alan Turing and the Foundations of Computable Analysis
Authors: Gherardi Guido 
Published: July 2011

AbstractWe investigate Turing's contributions to computability theory for real numbers and real functions presented in [22, 24, 26]. In particular, it is shown how two fundamental approaches to computable analysis, the so-called ‘Type-2 Theory of Effectivity’ (TTE) and the ‘realRAM machine’ model, have their foundations in Turing's work, in spite of the two incompatible notions of computability they involve. It is also shown, by contrast, how the modern conceptual tools provided by these two paradigms allow a systematic interpretation of Turing's pioneering work in the subject.
Weak representations of relation algebras and relational bases
Authors: Hirsch Robin , Hodkinson Ian , Maddux Roger D. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractIt is known that for all finite n ≥ 5, there are relation algebras with n-dimensional relational bases but no weak representations. We prove that conversely, there are finite weakly representable relation algebras with no n-dimensional relational bases. In symbols: neither of the classes RAn and wRRA contains the other.
Splitting definably compact groups in o-minimal structures
Authors: Mamino Marcello 
Published: July 2011

AbstractAn argument of A. Borel [Bor-61, Proposition 3.1] shows that every compact connected Lie group is homeomorphic to the Cartesian product of its derived subgroup and a torus. We prove a parallel result for definably compact definably connected groups definable in an o-minimal expansion of a real closed field. As opposed to the Lie case, however, we provide an example showing that the derived subgroup may not have a definable semidirect complement.
Completely metrisable groups acting on trees
Authors: Rosendal Christian 
Published: July 2011

AbstractWe consider actions of completely metrisable groups on simplicial trees in the context of the Bass–Serre theory. Our main result characterises continuity of the amplitude function corresponding to a given action. Under fairly mild conditions on a completely metrisable groupG, namely, that the set of elements generating a non-discrete or finite subgroup is somewhere dense, we show that in any decomposition as a free product with amalgamation,G=A*cB, the amalgamated groupsA,BandCare open inG.
Metabolic Syndrome and Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Schipilliti Mirko , Caretta Nicola , Palego Pierfrancesco , Selice Riccardo , Ferlin Alberto , Foresta Carlo 
Published: July 2011

OBJECTIVE
To study the relation between metabolic syndrome (MS), cavernosal morphological vasculopathy, and peripheral vascular alterations (carotid and femoral wall) in patients with erectile dysfunction.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
A total of 207 patients and 50 control subjects were evaluated for cardiovascular risk factors, physical examination, reproductive hormones, ultrasound analysis of cavernosal, carotid and femoral arteries (intima-media thickness), and cavernosal flow measurement (peak systolic velocity).

RESULTS
A total of 28% of patients had MS, and they presented with a high prevalence of cavernosal alterations (70.3%) and systemic vascular impairment (59.3%), whereas patients with cavernosal alterations (44%) showed the higher prevalence of MS (48.9%). The number of MS components was related to the prevalence of penile vasculopathy. However, multivariate analysis showed that MS is not an independent predictor for cavernosal vasculopathy.

CONCLUSIONS
Patients with cavernosal vasculopathy have an increased cardiometabolic risk, and screening for MS components might identify individuals with a higher risk for cavernosal and systemic atherosclerosis.
Vitamin D deficiency is related to worse emotional state
Authors: Lašaite Lina , Gailyte Ieva , Puzinas Paulius , Preikša Romualdas , Kazanavičius Gintautas 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
The aim was to evaluate vitamin D levels in young healthy Lithuanian males in winter and to find possible associations of vitamin D concentration to body composition, cognitive functioning, emotional state.
Subjects and Methods A total of 130 healthy males (age range, 18–26 years) were divided into the subgroups according to vitamin D concentration. The Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were employed in the assessment of emotional state. Cognitive functioning was assessed by the Trail Making Test and the Digit Symbol Test of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale.
Results The mean concentration of vitamin D for the entire sample was 13.0±5.3 ng/ml. Only 2 persons (1.6%) had the recommended vitamin D level. Nearly half (45.4%) of study participants had vitamin D deficiency. Lower concentrations were associated with a significantly higher score on the POMS confusion-bewilderment scale. A tendency toward a lower mean depression-dejection score in the participants with a sufficient vitamin D level was observed. Vitamin D concentration correlated positively with body mass index (BMI) and inversely with the confusion-bewilderment score.
In conclusion almost half of the young healthy males participating in the study were detected to have vitamin D deficiency in winter. Low vitamin D concentrations are associated with a worse emotional state.
A procedure for the determination of dichloromethane and tetrachloroethene in water using pervaporation and gas chromatography
Authors: Rutkiewicz Irena , Kujawski Wojciech , Namieśnik Jacek 
Published: July 2011

AbstractIn the present study, pervaporation was applied to the determination of tetrachloroethene (PCE) and dichloromethane (DCM) in liquid samples. PCE is the most commonly used solvent in drycleaning processes. PCE belongs to group 2A of carcinogens (probably carcinogenic to humans) according to the classification of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). DCM is also widely used as an industrial solvent for the purification and isolation of intermediates or products. DCM is classified as a “possible” human carcinogen by the IARC. The aim of this study was to evaluate a new procedure for the determination of DCM and PCE in liquid samples based on the pervaporative removal of DCM and PCE from liquid samples as an analyte isolation/enrichment technique, followed by a direct aqueous injection of the extracts onto the column of a gas chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector (DAI-GC-ECD). The basic parameters of the new PV-DAI-GC-ECD procedure were evaluated.
Simulating pile load-settlement behavior from CPT data using intelligent computing
Authors: Alkroosh I. , Nikraz H. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractAnalysis of pile load-settlement behavior is a complex problem due to the participation of many factors involved. This paper presents a new procedure based on artificial neural networks (ANNs) for simulating the load-settlement behavior of pile foundations embedded in sand and mixed soils (subjected to axial loads). Three ANN models have been developed, a model for bored piles and two other models for driven piles (a model for each of concrete and steel piles). The data used for development of the ANN models is collected from the literature and comprise a series of in-situ piles load tests as well as cone penetration test (CPT) results. The data of each model is divided into two subsets: Training set for model calibration and independent validation set for model verification. Predictions from the ANN models are compared with the results of experimental data and with predictions of number of currently adopted load-transfer methods. Statistical analysis is used to verify the performance of the models. The results indicate that the ANN model performs very well and able to predict the pile load-settlement behaviour accurately.
Morphometric Study for Estimation and Validation of Trunk Transverse Surface Area To Assess Human Drag Force on Water
Authors: Morais Jorge , Costa Mário , Mejias Erik , Marinho Daniel , Silva António , Barbosa Tiago 
Published: July 2011

Morphometric Study for Estimation and Validation of Trunk Transverse Surface Area To Assess Human Drag Force on Water
The aim of this study was to compute and validate estimation equations for the trunk transverse surface area (TTSA) to be used in assessing the swimmer's drag force in both genders. One group of 133 swimmers (56 females, 77 males) was used to compute the estimation equations and another group of 131 swimmers (56 females, 75 males) was used for its validations. Swimmers were photographed in the transverse plane from above, on land, in the upright and hydrodynamic position. The TTSA was measured from the swimmer's photo with specific software. Also measured was the height, body mass, biacromial diameter, chest sagital diameter (CSD) and the chest perimeter (CP). With the first group of swimmers, it was computed the TTSA estimation equations based on stepwise multiple regression models from the selected anthropometrical variables. For males TTSA=6.662*CP+17.019*CSD-210.708 (R2=0.32; Ra
2=0.30; P<0.01) and for females TTSA=7.002*CP+15.382*CSD-255.70 (R2=0.34; Ra
2=0.31; P<0.01). For both genders there were no significant differences between assessed and estimated mean TTSA. Coefficients of determination for the linear regression models between assessed and estimated TTSA were R2=0.39 for males and R2=0.55 for females. More than 80% of the plots were within the 95% interval confidence for the Bland-Altman analysis in both genders.
Kinesiophobia - Introducing a New Diagnostic Tool
Authors: Knapik Andrzej , Saulicz Edward , Gnat Rafał 
Published: July 2011

Kinesiophobia - Introducing a New Diagnostic Tool
Technical development of human civilisation brings about a decrease of adaptation potential of an individual, which is directly linked to deficient motor activity. Only precise identification of factors leading to hypokinesia would make prophylactic and therapeutic actions possible. In this article, authors would like to introduce a new, original tool aiming at diagnosing limitations of motor activity in adults. They propose a synthetic diagnosis of hypokinesia in two domains: biological and psycho-social, which is based on the contemporary model of health.
Determination of Strength Exercise Intensities Based on the Load-Power-Velocity Relationship
Authors: Jandačka Daniel , Beremlijski Petr 
Published: July 2011

Determination of Strength Exercise Intensities Based on the Load-Power-Velocity Relationship
The velocity of movement and applied load affect the production of mechanical power output and subsequently the extent of the adaptation stimulus in strength exercises. We do not know of any known function describing the relationship of power and velocity and load in the bench press exercise. The objective of the study is to find a function modeling of the relationship of relative velocity, relative load and mechanical power output for the bench press exercise and to determine the intensity zones of the exercise for specifically focused strength training of soccer players. Fifteen highly trained soccer players at the start of a competition period were studied. The subjects of study performed bench presses with the load of 0, 10, 30, 50, 70 and 90% of the predetermined one repetition maximum with maximum possible speed of movement. The mean measured power and velocity for each load (kg) were used to develop a multiple linear regression function which describes the quadratic relationship between the ratio of power (W) to maximum power (W) and the ratios of the load (kg) to one repetition maximum (kg) and the velocity (m•s-1) to maximal velocity (m•s-1). The quadratic function of two variables that modeled the searched relationship explained 74% of measured values in the acceleration phase and 75% of measured values from the entire extent of the positive power movement in the lift. The optimal load for reaching maximum power output suitable for the dynamics effort strength training was 40% of one repetition maximum, while the optimal mean velocity would be 75% of maximal velocity. Moreover, four zones: maximum power, maximum velocity, velocity-power and strength-power were determined on the basis of the regression function.
The Influence of Aerobic Power on Repeated Anaerobic Exercise in Junior Soccer Players
Authors: Cipryan Lukas , Gajda Vojtech 
Published: July 2011

The Influence of Aerobic Power on Repeated Anaerobic Exercise in Junior Soccer Players
The main purpose of the present study is to investigate the relationship between anaerobic power achieved in repeated anaerobic exercise and aerobic power. The study group consisted of 40 soccer players (age 17.3 ± 1.36 years). All participants performed 3 tests: a running-based anaerobic sprint test (RAST), a graded treadmill test (GXT), and a multistage fitness test (20mPST). A statistically significant correlation was found among peak power in the GXT and the maximum (r = 0.365, p=0.02), minimum (r=0.334, p=0.035) and average (r=0.401, p=0.01) power in the RAST. No relationships were found between VO2max obtained from both aerobic tests and any performance indices in the RAST. A statistically significant correlation was found between the VO2max obtained from the spiroergometry examination (GXT) and the calculated VO2max of 20mPST (r=0.382, p=0.015). In conclusion, the level of VO2max does not influence the performance indices in the RAST in elite junior soccer players. It is possible that the modification of anaerobic test protocol or a more heterogeneous study group would influence the results. The estimation of the VO2max in the 20mPST is too inaccurate and should not replace the laboratory spiroergometry examination.
Altitude Training and its Influence on Physical Endurance in Swimmers
Authors: Strzała Marek , Ostrowski Andrzej , Szyguła Zbigniew 
Published: July 2011

Altitude Training and its Influence on Physical Endurance in Swimmers
It is possible to plan an altitude training (AT) period in such a way that the enhanced physical endurance obtained as a result of adaptation to hypoxia will appear and can be used to improve performance in competition. Yet finding rationales for usage of AT in highly trained swimmers is problematic. In practice AT, in its various forms, is still controversial, and an objective review of research concentrating on the advantages and disadvantages of AT has been presented in several scientific publications, including in no small part the observations of swimmers. The aim of this article is to review the various methods and present both the advantageous and unfavourable physiological changes that occur in athletes as a result of AT. Moreover, AT results in the sport of swimming have been collected. They include an approach towards primary models of altitude/hypoxic training: live high + train high, live high + train low, live low + train high, as well as subsequent methods: Intermittent Hypoxic Exposure (IHE) and Intermittent Hypoxic Training (IHT). Apnoea training, which is descended from freediving, is also mentioned, and which can be used with, or as a substitute for, the well-known IHE or IHT methods. In conclusion, swimmers who train using hypoxia may be among the best-trained athletes, and that even a slight improvement in physical endurance might result in the shortening of a swimming time in a given competition, and the achievement of a personal best, which is hard to obtain by normal training methods, when the personal results of the swimmer have reached a plateau.
Gender Differences in Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior and BMI in the Liberec Region: the IPAQ Study in 2002-2009
Authors: Dagmar Sigmundová , Erik Sigmund , Karel Frömel , Aleš Suchomel 
Published: July 2011

Gender Differences in Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior and BMI in the Liberec Region: the IPAQ Study in 2002-2009
The occurrence of overweight, obesity and physical activity (PA) belongs to major factors influencing health. However, information on the longitudinal development of PA in Europe has been, up until now, insufficient. The aim of the study was to describe the changes in PA, sedentary behavior and BMI in the inhabitants of the Liberec region during the surveybetween 2002 - 2009. The data were obtained in 2002-2004 using the short version of the IPAQ questionnaire, in 2005-2009 using the long version of the IPAQ. The sample of participants comprised 957 males and 1066 females aged 25-60 years. A significant decrease in sitting accounting for minutes on working days has been recorded both in men and women. A significant increase of PA both in men and women was reported, however the interpretation of the increase needs to be done cautiously due to the application of the short and long version of the IPAQ. Regarding PA intensity, men show more PA in total than women, which can be explained mainly by the differences in vigorous PA. Women show significantly lower values of BMI in all years in which surveys were conducted than men (p<0.001). Based on self-reported data, we have recorded an increase in the number of overweight and obese people. Time spent sitting on working days has had a tendency to decrease, yet a negative trend in the decrease in self-reported total PA has not been confirmed. Despite the fact that there has been an increase in self-reported PA, no decrease in BMI was registered.
A Method of Hyper-sphere Cover in Multidimensional Space for Human Mocap Data Retrieval
Authors: Wei Xiaopeng , Xiao Boxiang , Zhang Qiang , Liu Rui 
Published: July 2011

A Method of Hyper-sphere Cover in Multidimensional Space for Human Mocap Data Retrieval
A method of hyper-sphere cover in multidimensional space for human Mocap (Motion Capture) data retrieval is presented in this paper. After normalization and feature extraction, both the retrieval instance and the motion data are mapping into a multidimensional space. Several hyper-spheres are constructed according to the retrieval instance, and the domain covered by these hyper-spheres can be considered as the distribution range of a same kind of motions. By use of CMU free motion database, the retrieval algorithm has been implemented and examined and the experimental results are illustrated. At the same time, the main contributions and limitations are discussed.