bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
International Osteoporosis Foundation and International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine Position on bone marker standards in osteoporosis
Authors: Vasikaran Samuel , Cooper Cyrus , Eastell Richard , Griesmacher Andrea , Morris Howard A. , Trenti Tommaso , Kanis John A. 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) and the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) Working Group on Bone Marker Standards (WG-BMS) has evaluated the clinical potential of bone turnover markers (BTMs) in the prediction of fracture risk and for monitoring treatment. Research evidence suggests that BTMs may provide information on fracture risk independently from BMD, so that fracture risk prediction might be enhanced by their inclusion in assessment algorithms. The potential use of BTMs to predict the response to treatments for osteoporosis in the individual patient is also of great interest. Treatment-induced changes in specific markers account for a substantial proportion of fracture risk reduction. However, there is still a need for stronger evidence on which to base practice in both situations. IOF/IFCC recommends one bone formation marker (serum procollagen type I N propeptide, s-PINP) and one bone resorption marker (serum C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen, s-CTX) to be used as reference markers and measured by standardised assays in observational and intervention studies in order to enlarge the international experience of the application of markers to clinical medicine and to help resolve uncertainties over their clinical use.
c-Jun N-terminal kinases in memory and synaptic plasticity
Authors: Sherrin Tessi , Blank Thomas , Todorovic Cedomir 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
The c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) belong to the subfamily of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). JNK is an important signaling enzyme that is involved in many facets of cellular regulation including gene expression, cell proliferation and programmed cell death. Activation of JNK isoforms (JNK1, 2, and 3) is regarded as a molecular switch in stress signal transduction. The activation of JNK pathways is also critical for pathological death associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Considering that a variety of stressors activate JNK, it is surprising that the role of hippocampal JNK in memory and synaptic plasticity has not yet been systematically investigated. Here we summarize the emerging evidence for the functions of hippocampal JNK in memory and synaptic plasticity, including our recent demon­stration that JNK isoforms play critical roles in regulation of contextual fear conditioning under stressful and baseline conditions. We postulate that sustained activation of the hippocampal JNK2 and JNK3 pathways is involved in the initial stress response that ultimately leads to deficits in memory and long-term potentiation, whereas transient JNK1 activation regulates baseline contextual fear conditioning. Results obtained within the framework of our recent findings will be used for future work, which will differentiate mechanisms underlying beneficial short-term JNK action from prolonged JNK activation that may lead to memory deficits and neurodegeneration.
A New Round Panel Test for the Characterization of Fiber Reinforced Concrete: A Broad Experimental Study
Authors: Minelli Fausto , Plizzari Giovanni 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
Standard test methods for determining the mechanical properties of Fiber Reinforced Concrete (FRC) are properly defined if they reproduce the actual structural behavior. Among many proposals, a round panel test seems to have all potentials to become an easy-to-use tool and, at the same time, a reliable procedure for the characterization of FRC, in terms of toughness and the post-cracking constitutive cohesive law. A new geometry for the round panel test is herein proposed and discussed in order to make the panel easier to place, handle, and test, therefore avoiding one of the major drawbacks that limit an extensive utilization of the panel test. A comparison between different test typologies for characterizing FRC is reported and discussed in the present paper, with special emphasis on the different scatter that each test produces. Tests are performed on beams as well as on panels. All specimens herein compared have the same concrete mechanical properties and fiber content. The aim of the experimental investigation is to critically discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each testing procedure, focusing on the applicability of the method and on the reliability of results toward a consistent characterization of the structural behavior. Suitable correlations among the different fracture and energy parameters defined in the standards considered are finally reported, and the results are very useful for harmonizing the available standards.
Correlation Analyses for Implementation of Binder Properties for Rut Potential Estimation of Asphalt Mixtures
Authors: Kim Sungun , Park Jiyong , Kim Kwang W. 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
This study examined the relationship of three binder properties with three permanent deformation (rut) test data. The three binder properties include the stiffness (G*/sin δ) measured by dynamic shear rheometer, the large molecular size (LMS) ratio, measured by gel-permeation chromatography, and the absolute viscosity. The three rut tests at 60°C include the wheel tracking (WT), asphalt pavement analyzer (APA), and deformation strength (SD) tests on 28 hot-mix asphalt mixtures (two aggregates, two gradations and seven binders). The regression analyses showed the two binder properties (G*/sin δ and LMS) had very high correlation (R2&gt;0.81) with the rut depth values of WT and APA, and with SD values. This is an indication that G*/sin δ and LMS are reliable properties that provide a reasonable estimation of the rut potential of asphalt mixtures. Prediction models for rut estimation were developed by multiple regression using binder properties and aggregate information. The predicted rut data were well fit (R2&gt;0.92) to the measured rut data. Therefore, it was found that the two binder properties could be reliably used for the estimation of the rut potential of asphalt mixtures.
Coprescription of Antibiotics and Asthma Drugs in Children
Authors: De Boeck Kris , Vermeulen François , Meyts Isabelle , Hutsebaut Luc , Franckaert Danny , Proesmans Marijke 
Published: May 2011

BACKGROUND:
In children, antibiotics as well as asthma drugs are frequently prescribed. We investigated the effects of the codispensing of antibiotics and asthma drugs to children.

METHODS:
Using a health insurance database, we examined dispensing and codispensing of antibiotics and asthma drugs for the period of a 1 year in 892 841 Belgian children aged &lt;18 years.

RESULTS:
For a 1-year period, an antibiotic was dispensed to 44.21% of children: 73.05% aged &lt;3 years; 49.62% aged 3 to 7 years; and 34.21% aged 8 to &lt;18 years. An asthma drug was dispensed to 16.04% of children: 44.81% aged &lt;3 years; 17.90% aged 3 to 7 years; and 7.64% aged 8 to &lt;18 years. Overall, an antibiotic was dispensed without an asthma drug to 38.62% of children versus with an asthma drug to 73.50% of children (P &lt; .0001). More frequent dispensing of antibiotics to children who received an asthma drug (odds ratio: 1.90; 95% confidence interval: 1.89–1.91) occurred in all age categories (P &lt; .0001). In 35.64% of children with an asthma drug dispensed, an antibiotic was dispensed on the same day.

CONCLUSIONS:
In all age groups, dispensing of antibiotics is more likely in children who have an asthma drug dispensed in the same year. In all age groups, codispensing of antibiotics and asthma drugs is a common practice. Efforts to decrease antibiotic use in children could be improved by focusing on children who are being treated with asthma drugs.
Prospective Evaluation of Residents On Call: Before and After Duty-Hour Reduction
Authors: Bismilla Zia , Breakey Vicky R. , Swales Jennifer , Kulik Dina M. , Pai Nikhil , Singh Nikate , Parshuram Christopher S. 
Published: May 2011

BACKGROUND:
On July 1, 2009, in Ontario the maximum period of continuous duty that residents were permitted to work was reduced from 28 to 24 hours. We evaluated the effect of regulation on residents in 3 eras: 2 before (2005 and early 2009) and 1 after (late 2009) the duty-hour reduction.

METHODS:
On-call pediatric residents on pediatric medicine rotations prospectively recorded the numbers of patients (assigned and admitted) and the durations of direct patient care, documentation, staff supervision, and education attended. Sleep was measured with actigraphy.

RESULTS:
The 51 residents worked 180 duty periods, were assigned a median of 6 (interquartile range: 4 –12) daytime patients and 24 (interquartile range: 19–30) overnight patients. Residents reported spending means of 239 minutes providing direct patient care, 235 minutes documenting, and 243 minutes sleeping and receiving 73 minutes of staff supervision and 52 minutes of education. From early 2009 to after duty-hour reduction, residents provided 47 fewer (19.6%) minutes of direct patient care (P = .056) and received 44 fewer minutes (60.3%) of supervision (P = .0005) but spent similar times documenting, receiving education, and sleeping. In early 2009, residents provided 73 more minutes (30.5%) of direct patient care (P = .0016), spent 63 more minutes (26.8%) documenting, and slept 105 fewer minutes (43.0%) (P = .0062) than in 2005.

DISCUSSION:
After duty-hour reduction in 2009, we found reduced supervision and direct patient care. Comparison of the 2 periods before duty-hour reduction showed less sleep and longer patient contact in early 2009, which suggests that changes occurred without regulation.
Disparities in Child Access to Emergency Care for Acute Oral Injury
Authors: Bisgaier Joanna , Cutts Diana B. , Edelstein Burton L. , Rhodes Karin V. 
Published: May 2011

OBJECTIVE:
We examined the impact of insurance status on dental practices' willingness to schedule an appointment for a child with a symptomatic fractured permanent front tooth.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Between February and May 2010, 6 research assistants posed as mothers of a 10-year-old boy seeking an urgent dental appointment. Two calls 4 weeks apart, with the same clinical scenario, were made by the same caller to a stratified random sample of dental practices, one-half of which were enrolled in the state's combined Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) dental program. The only difference in the calls was the child's insurance coverage (Medicaid/CHIP versus private Blue Cross dental coverage). We estimated differences in the log-odds probability of scheduling an appointment for a child with public versus private insurance by using exact conditional (fixed-effects) logistic regression, which accounts for paired data.

RESULTS:
Of 170 paired calls to 85 dental practices (41 participating in the Medicaid program), only 36.5% of Medicaid beneficiaries obtained any appointment compared with 95.4% of Blue Cross–insured children with the same oral injury. Among dental providers enrolled in the Medicaid program, children with Medicaid were still 18.2 times more likely to be denied an appointment than privately insured counterparts (95% confidence interval: 3.1 to ∞; P &lt; .001).

CONCLUSIONS:
Illinois dentists, including those participating in Medicaid, are less likely to see a child for an urgent dental complaint if the child has public versus private dental coverage. These results have implications for developing policies that improve access to oral health care.
Nonoperative Active Management of Critical Limb Ischemia: Initial Experience Using a Sequential Compression Biomechanical Device for Limb Salvage
Authors: Sultan Sherif , Esan Olubunmi , Fahy Anne 
Published: May 2011

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) patients are at high risk of primary amputation. Using a sequential compression biomechanical device (SCBD) represents a nonoperative option in threatened limbs. We aimed to determine the outcome of using SCBD in amputation-bound nonreconstructable CLI patients regarding limb salvage and 90-day mortality. Thirty-five patients with 39 critically ischemic limbs (rest pain = 12, tissue loss = 27) presented over 24 months. Thirty patients had nonreconstructable arterial outflow vessels, and five were inoperable owing to severe comorbidity scores. All were Rutherford classification 4 or 5 with multilevel disease. All underwent a 12-week treatment protocol and received the best medical treatment. The mean follow-up was 10 months (SD ± 6 months). There were four amputations, with an 18-month cumulative limb salvage rate of 88% (standard error [SE] ± 7.62%). Ninety-day mortality was zero. Mean toe pressures increased from 38.2 to 67 mm Hg (SD ± 33.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 55–79). Popliteal artery flow velocity increased from 45 to 47.9 cm/s (95% CI 35.9–59.7). Cumulative survival at 12 months was 81.2% (SE ± 11.1) for SCBD, compared with 69.2% in the control group (SE ± 12.8%) ( p = .4, hazards ratio = 0.58, 95% CI 0.15–2.32). The mean total cost of primary amputation per patient is €29,815 ($44,000) in comparison with €13,900 ($20,515) for SCBD patients. SCBD enhances limb salvage and reduces length of hospital stay, nonoperatively, in patients with nonreconstructable vessels.
Endovascular Repair of Nonruptured Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms: Systematic Review
Authors: Mustafa Syed T. , Sadat Umar , Majeed Muhammad U. , Wong Chih Mun , Michaels Jonathan , Thomas Steve M. 
Published: May 2011

Thoracic aortic aneurysms represent a major health problem. Untreated thoracic aortic aneurysms may rupture, which has a dismal outcome. The standard treatment for thoracic aneurysms is open surgical repair, but it is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Endovascular repair provides a less invasive and safer alternative. A systematic review was performed of all published literature on the above subject. Our primary objective was to measure 30-day mortality for nonruptured thoracic aortic aneurysms. Studies describing other pathologies, such as aortic dissection, mycotic aneurysms, penetrating ulcers, traumatic transactions, and pseudoaneurysms, and studies from which independent data for thoracic aortic aneurysm could not be separately extracted were excluded. Case series describing less than 10 patients and all case series describing ruptures or concealed ruptures were excluded as well. Twenty-six case series and one comparative study were identified. This formed a cohort of 1,038 patients. Technical success was possible in more than 97% of patients. The 30-day mortality was calculated to be 5.1% even though the group under study was mostly those who were refused surgery by a surgeon or had a higher surgical risk. The incidence of paraplegia and stroke was 3.1% and 4.7%, respectively. Early endoleak was seen in 16.7% of patients, whereas 11.7% of patients developed late endoleak, but most did not require any additional procedure. The rate of reintervention was 14.9%. The 12-month mortality rate was 14.2%. Endovascular repair shows encouraging short-term results. It is associated with significantly less mortality and morbidity, but long-term results need to be further investigated.
Murettes et terrasses de culture dans les régions karstiques méditerranéennes
Authors: Nicod Jean 
Published: May 2011

Stone-walls and land-terraces in the mediterranean karst areas.
After analysis on the functions of stone-walls and terraces, the paper show many types of agrarian arrangement in limestone slopes and table-land, in rapport with the quality of soils, and in little karst depressions. They make up «agro-karstic landscapes». In the dolines and uvalas particularly, the contouring and removal of blocks give «anthropo-geomorphological forms». This researches are continued in the outline of I.G.U. Study Group on «Man's impact in Karst», now «Environmental Changes in Karst Areas».
Los espacios periurbanos en el área de Alicante-Elche (España)
Authors: Gozálvez Pérez Vicente , Ponce Herrero Gabino , Costa Mas José , Canales G. , Navarro J.R. 
Published: May 2011

Les espaces périurbains dans l'aire d'Alicante-Elche (Espagne)
Les processus de périurbanisation autour d'Alicante (ville tertiaire) et de Elche (ville industrielle) ont commencé avec les années soixante, et depuis ont connu une expansion continue et accélérée; en outre, au début des années 1990 on envisage un renouvellement de leur dynamisme. Ces processus ont trouvé leurs fondements économiques dans l'industrialisation et dans le développement tertiaire locaux, auxquels s'est mêlée une fièvre de constructions touristico-résidentielles sur la frange côtière, destinée en partie à une clientèle extérieure à la province. La périurbanisation autour des deux villes peut être résumée en trois types d'occupation du sol, selon les formes de construction et d'usage :
1) Sur la frange côtière, la forme touristique et résidentielle concerne soit les extensions de noyaux urbains préexistants, soit des «urbanisations» créées ex nihilo: les immeubles d'appartements prédominent le long des plages, tandis que les «chalets unifamiliaux» sont la majorité sur les portions de côtes rocheuses.
2) A l'écart du littoral, la périurbanisation est le fait de logements unifamiliaux, d'abord dispersés, puis groupés en lotissements et plus récemment en lotissements de pavillonnaire jointif. Elle a occupé de vastes espaces agricoles, aux détriments d'exploitants minifundiaires et de cultures arbustives peu rentables dans des périmètres d' irrigation déficitaires en eau. Il s'agit alors de résidences principales ou secondaires très liées à l'emploi ou à la clientèle des deux villes principales, tandis que sur la côte le poids des propriétaires extérieurs à la région est grand.
3) Autour d'Alicante les espaces périurbains industriels et tertiaires s'organisent en fonction des routes principales qui rayonnent depuis la ville; Elche reste entouré par une couronne industrielle, qui se prolonge largement en suivant la route N-340.
Les vastes espaces encore inoccupés entre Alicante et Elche sont actuellement l'objet de projets d' urbanisme privé ou publique, où s' affrontent la logique de la croissance économique d'une part, et celle de l'équilibre entre l'occupation humaine et le milieu physique d'autre part. Les nouveaux cadres institutionnels et législatifs seront- ils capables de les concilier?
Mobilité des paysages littoraux et variation du niveau de la mer à Marseille-La Joliette depuis 6000 ans
Authors: Arnaud-Fassetta Gilles , Bourcier Michel 
Published: May 2011

L'étude de l'anse fossile de la Joliette à Marseille a mis en évidence cinq séquences sédimentaires. La séquence 1 (ante 6310 ± 360 cal. B.P.) est une accumulation d' origine marine proche du niveau marin moyen vers -5 mètres N.G.F. La séquence 2 correspond au développement d'un marécage d' eau douce de 6310 ±360 cal. B.P. à 1250 ±190 cal. B.P. La vitesse de sédimentation est rapide au Néolithique final et au Bronze. Ces dépôts marécageux sont transgressés par les séquences marines 3 et 4 qui marquent une phase d'envasement. Enfin l'anse de la Joliette est remblayée artificiellement au XIXe siècle.
Aucune trace de pulsation marine supérieure à l'actuel depuis 6000 ans n'a été mise en évidence. Par comparaison avec les données du Vieux Port, un tassement d'environ deux à trois mètres a affecté les dépôts vaseux de l'anse de la Joliette.
Les variations des précipitations du Maroc du Centre-ouest
Authors: Delannoy Henry 
Published: May 2011

La diversité spatiale des variations pluviométriques est illustrée par les corrélations linéaires entre les cinq stations sélectionnées. Une analyse des corrélations canoniques, incluant les rendements de blé dur, confirme cette diversité.
L'évolution de la pluviométrie annuelle oppose au début du siècle Casablanca, où les années inférieures à la moyenne l'emportent, aux stations méridionales excédentaires d'Essaouira et de Marrakech. A partir des années vingt, on relève schématiquement des analogies d'évolution dans toutes les stations. Trois épisodes secs : des années vingt au début des années trente, de la fin du deuxième conflit mondial à l 'immédiate après-guerre, et le plus récent et le plus sévère à partir de la fin des années soixante dix ; deux épisodes arrosés : de l 'immédiat avant guerre au début du conflit, et des années cinquante au début des années 1970.
La contribution de la pluviométrie saisonnière (octobre- décembre, janvier-février, mars -avril) au total annuel et au rendement céréalier est étudiée et des tableaux de fréquence des précipitations inférieures ou égales à certains seuils sont dressés.
On fournit, en conclusion, quelques indications sur le rôle de l 'Oscillation Nord Atlantique et de l 'Oscillation Australe sur les précipitations saisonnières.
Géomorphologie et géographie rurale : proximités, complémentarités, apports à la connaissance de l'environnement rural. L'exemple des montagnes méditerranéennes
Authors: de Reparaz André 
Published: May 2011

Over the course of the last forty years, a progressive epistemological convergence has occurred between geomorphology and rural geography. After a long period of separate conceptualization, these subfields have increasingly broadened their objects of study. Thus, geomorphologists now meet rural geographers to the extent that they integrate humans as managers of rural space in their «anthropic geosystems». For their part, rural geographers seek to emphasize ecological and geomorphological elements in a global dynamic of humanized spaces where these element often command attention in the framework of sharp bioclimatic crises in heavy impacted rural territories.
New tendencies of historically-oriented geomorphology integrate in an interdisciplinary way aspects of settlement, civilizations, agropastoral practices, localizations and agrarian forms into their studies of successive chronological sequences characterizing humanized natural environments in constant evolution. Moreover, geomorphologists have joined rural geographers in a common concern of contribution to a better management of space : rural planning, study and prevention of natural hazards. To illustrate these various aspects, examples of works of geomorphologists in the southern Alps, low mountain part of Provence, and the Mediterranean Pyrenees are presented.
The Effect of Culture on Email Use
Authors: Frank Jonathan , Toland Janet , Schenk Karen 
Published: May 2011

This chapter examines how students from different cultural backgrounds use email to communicate with other students and teachers. The South Pacific region, isolated, vast, and culturally diverse, was selected as an appropriate research environment in which to study the effect of cultural differences and educational technology on distance learning. The context of this research was two competing distance education institutions in Fiji, the University of the South Pacific and Central Queensland University. Three research questions were addressed: Does cultural background affect the extent to which students use email to communicate with educators and other students for academic and social reasons? Does cultural background affect the academic content of email messages? Does cultural background influence students’ preference to ask questions or provide answers using email instead of face-to-face communication? To address these issues, two studies were conducted in parallel. Subjects were drawn from business information systems and computer information technology classes at the University of the South Pacific (USP) and Central Queensland University (CQU). Four hundred students at USP were surveyed about their email usage. In the CQU study, postings to course discussion lists by 867 students were analyzed. The results of these studies suggest that there are significant differences in the use of email by students from different cultural backgrounds.