bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prolonged treatment with vitamin D in postmenopausal women with primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Rao Ranganathan R , Randeva Harpal S , Sankaranarayanan Sailesh , Narashima Murthy , Möhlig Matthias , Mehanna Hisham , Weickert Martin O 
Published: June 2012

Introduction/backgroundVitamin D deficiency further increases circulating parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT), with potential detrimental effects on bone mass.MethodsThis was an observational clinical study in consecutive conservatively treated postmenopausal women (n=40) with pHPT and coexistent 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency (25OHD ≤50 nmol/l (≤20 ng/ml)). Patients who showed an increase in serum 25OHD above the threshold of vitamin D deficiency (>50 nmol/l; n=28) using treatment with various commonly prescribed vitamin D preparations were, for the purposes of statistical analyses, allocated to the treatment group. Patients who were retrospectively identified as having received no treatment with vitamin D and/or remained vitamin D deficient were considered as non-responders/controls (n=12). Adjusted calcium (adjCa), PTH and 25OHD concentrations were monitored in all subjects up to 54 months (mean observation period of 18±2 months).ResultsProlonged increased vitamin D intake, regardless of the source (serum 25OHD, increase from 32.2±1.7 nmol/l at baseline to 136.4±11.6 nmol/l, P<0.0001), significantly reduced serum PTH (13.3±1.1 vs 10.5±1.0 pmol/l, P=0.0001), with no adverse effects on adjCa levels (2.60±0.03 vs 2.60±0.02 mmol/l, P=0.77) and renal function tests (P>0.73). In contrast, serum PTH remained unchanged (15.8±2.6 vs 16.3±1.9 pmol/l, P=0.64) in patients who remained vitamin D deficient, with a significant difference between groups in changes of PTH (P=0.0003). Intrapartial correlation analyses showed an independent negative correlation of changes in 25OHD with PTH levels (ric=−0.41, P=0.014).ConclusionsProlonged treatment with vitamin D in various commonly prescribed preparations appeared to be safe and significantly reduced PTH levels by 21%.
Diagnosis and mechanisms of cardiac involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis
Authors: Pintér Tünde , Komócsi András 
Published: June 2012

Abstract

Introduction: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by fibrosis and vascular abnormalities of skin and internal organs. Cardiac involvement includes coronary artery disease (CAD), pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) related right ventricular changes and microvascular disease (MVD). Aims: To characterize the distribution of cardiac alterations and to investigate the mechanisms of the microvascular impairment of SSc patients. Methods: Based on non-invasive investigations, patients were selected for right heart catheterization and intracoronary pressure-wire supplemented coronary angiography. Results: 17 SSc patients (selected from 120 cases) and 17 controls were enrolled. In the “suspected PAH” and the “suspected CAD” groups, PAH was found in 12/20 and 2/10 cases, and coronary artery stenosis in 9/20 and 6/10 cases, respectively. Patients with decreased coronary flow reserve (CFR) had accelerated flow velocity (p<0.05), but myocardial resistance index (IMR) in hyperemia did not differ from patients with normal CFR or from the controls (p=0.292 and p=0.308). The coronary flow velocity of SSc patients correlated to the IMR at baseline (r=0.56, p=0.019). Conclusions: PAH, CAD and MVD show an overlap in symptomatic SSc. The maintained vasodilatation response indicates the paucity of irreversible functional damage of the coronary arterioles. The reduced CFR, the decreased basal IMR and higher velocity pinpoint to possible compensatory vasodilatory mechanisms.
A Phenomenological Study of Occupational Engagement in Recovery from Mental Illness
Authors: Sutton Daniel J. , Hocking Clare S. , Smythe Liz A. 
Published: June 2012

Background. Recovery from mental illness has been described as a process involving personal growth and a search for meaning. Occupation is a primary medium for human development as well as the creation of life meaning, suggesting the exploration of recovery from an occupational perspective is warranted. Purpose. To explore the experience and meaning of occupation for 13 people who self-identified as being in recovery from mental illness. Methods. Recovery narratives were collected from participants in conversational interviews that were recorded and transcribed. The transcripts were analysed using hermeneutic phenomenology. Findings. A range of experiences were evident in the recovery narratives, from complete disengagement to full engagement in occupations. Insights into the experience and meaning of different states of occupation were revealed. Implications. All forms of occupational engagement, including disengagement, can be meaningful in the recovery process. Increased understanding of different modes of occupational engagement will assist therapists to support recovery more effectively.
A Critical Reflection on the Concept of Cultural Safety
Authors: Gerlach Alison J. 
Published: June 2012

Background. Cultural safety broadens and transforms the discourse on culture and health inequities as experienced by diverse populations. Purpose. To critically analyze cultural safety in terms of its clarity, simplicity, generality, accessibility, and importance. Key Issues. Whilst the clarity and generality of cultural safety remain contentious, there is emerging evidence of its capacity to promote a more critical discourse on culture, health, and health care inequities and how they are shaped by historical, political, and socioeconomic circumstances. Implications. Cultural safety promotes a more critical and inclusive perspective of culture. As an analytical lens in occupational therapy practice and research, it has the potential to reveal and generate broader understandings of occupation and health from individuals or groups in society who are traditionally silenced or marginalized. In relation to Aboriginal peoples, it clearly situates health and health inequities within the context of their colonial, socioeconomic, and political past and present.
Curriculum Evaluation: Linking Curriculum Objectives to Essential Competencies
Authors: Merritt Brenda K. , Blake Andrea I. , McIntyre Alison H. , Packer Tanya L. 
Published: June 2012

Background. The essential competencies of occupational therapy practice are agreed upon and documented (ACOTRO, 2003), yet they have not been used to evaluate educational programs. Purpose. To evaluate the match between the planned curriculum and the nationally recognized competencies that define safe, effective, and ethical practice. Methods. Utilizing a comparative and systematic approach, course learning objectives in the approved curriculum map were matched to the ACOTRO (2003) competencies. Findings. A total of 218 links were made between the 179 learning objectives and the 30 essential competencies. There were no links to three competencies. Learning objectives were not equally represented across the ACOTRO units; initial analyses indicate the distribution is likely appropriate. Implications. This novel evaluative process allowed critical appraisal and subsequent minor revision of Dalhousie curriculum. The appropriate, relative weighting of curriculum content is unknown and is a professional issue for discussion by regulators, educators, and the profession at large.
Home Country Tax System Characteristics and Corporate Tax Avoidance: International Evidence
Authors: Atwood T. J. , Drake Michael S. , Myers James N. , Myers Linda A. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT
We examine whether three tax system characteristics—required book-tax conformity, worldwide versus territorial approach, and perceived strength of enforcement—impact corporate tax avoidance across countries after controlling for firm-specific factors previously shown to be associated with tax avoidance (i.e., performance, size, operating costs, leverage, growth, the presence of multinational operations, and industry) and for other cross-country factors (i.e., statutory corporate tax rates, earnings volatility, and institutional factors). We find that, on average, firms avoid taxes less when required book-tax conformity is higher, a worldwide approach is used, and tax enforcement is perceived to be stronger. However, the relations between tax avoidance and all three tax systems characteristics are contextual and depend on the extent to which management compensation comes from variable pay, including bonuses, stock awards, and stock options.
Data Availability: Data are available from sources identified in the text.
The Impact of Mandatory IFRS Adoption on Audit Fees: Theory and Evidence
Authors: Kim Jeong-Bon , Liu Xiaohong , Zheng Liu 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT:
This study examines the impact of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption on audit fees. We first build an analytical audit fee model to analyze the impact on audit fees for the change in both audit complexity and financial reporting quality brought about by IFRS adoption. We then test the model's predictions using audit fee data from European Union countries that mandated IFRS adoption in 2005. We find that mandatory IFRS adoption has led to an increase in audit fees. We also find that the IFRS-related audit fee premium increases with the increase in audit complexity brought about by IFRS adoption, and decreases with the improvement in financial reporting quality arising from IFRS adoption. Finally, we find some evidence that the IFRS-related audit fee premium is lower in countries with stronger legal regimes. Our results are robust to a variety of sensitivity checks.
Data availability: Data are available from public sources identified in the paper.
The probabilistic solution of stochastic oscillators with even nonlinearity under poisson excitation
Authors: Guo Siu-Siu , Er Guo-Kang 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe probabilistic solutions of nonlinear stochastic oscillators with even nonlinearity driven by Poisson white noise are investigated in this paper. The stationary probability density function (PDF) of the oscillator responses governed by the reduced Fokker-Planck-Kolmogorov equation is obtained with exponentialpolynomial closure (EPC) method. Different types of nonlinear oscillators are considered. Monte Carlo simulation is conducted to examine the effectiveness and accuracy of the EPC method in this case. It is found that the PDF solutions obtained with EPC agree well with those obtained with Monte Carlo simulation, especially in the tail regions of the PDFs of oscillator responses. Numerical analysis shows that the mean of displacement is nonzero and the PDF of displacement is nonsymmetric about its mean when there is even nonlinearity in displacement in the oscillator. Numerical analysis further shows that the mean of velocity always equals zero and the PDF of velocity is symmetrically distributed about its mean.
Cannabinoid-like anti-inflammatory compounds from flax fiber
Authors: Styrczewska Monika , Kulma Anna , Ratajczak Katarzyna , Amarowicz Ryszard , Szopa Jan 
Published: June 2012

AbstractFlax is a valuable source of fibers, linseed and oil. The compounds of the latter two products have already been widely examined and have been proven to possess many health-beneficial properties. In the course of analysis of fibers extract from previously generated transgenic plants overproducing phenylpropanoids a new terpenoid compound was discovered.The UV spectra and the retention time in UPLC analysis of this new compound reveal similarity to a cannabinoid-like compound, probably cannabidiol (CBD). This was confirmed by finding two ions at m/z 174.1 and 231.2 in mass spectra analysis. Further confirmation of the nature of the compound was based on a biological activity assay. It was found that the compound affects the expression of genes involved in inflammatory processes in mouse and human fibroblasts and likely the CBD from Cannabis sativa activates the specific peripheral cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) gene expression. Besides fibers, the compound was also found in all other flax tissues. It should be pointed out that the industrial process of fabric production does not affect CBD activity.The presented data suggest for the first time that flax products can be a source of biologically active cannabinoid-like compounds that are able to influence the cell immunological response. These findings might open up many new applications for medical flax products, especially for the fabric as a material for wound dressing with anti-inflammatory properties.
Ultrasonic detection of spall damage induced by low-velocity repeated impact
Authors: Nishimura Naoya , Murase Katsuhiko , Ito Toshihiro , Watanabe Takeru , Nowak Roman 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
This paper address the examination of spall damage in medium carbon steel subjected to a repeated impact testing. The experiments were performed well below the threshold spall-stress of 2.6 GPa and the damage introduced in the subsurface volume was investigated using the low frequency scanning acoustic microscopy. Based on B- and C-scan images (the images taken along and perpendicular to the impact surface) we made a qualitative and semi-quantitative evaluation of the damage type (voids in a ductile material or cracks in a brittle one) and its distribution. We found the spall damage development dependent on the amplitude and the duration of the stress pulses. In particular, we proved that the high, long stress pulses induce damage that resembles tensile failure of material, in which voids or cracks nucleate along the spall plane to form macro-cracks. This explains why spall-damage is not seen when the first impact is below the characteristic threshold spall-stress. However, when the tests consist of more than four impacts the spall damage is produced already under stress below the threshold-value.
Emerging interdisciplinary fields in the coming intelligence/convergence era
Authors: Noor Ahmed 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
Dramatic advances are in the horizon resulting from rapid pace of development of several technologies, including, computing, communication, mobile, robotic, and interactive technologies. These advances, along with the trend towards convergence of traditional engineering disciplines with physical, life and other science disciplines will result in the development of new interdisciplinary fields, as well as in new paradigms for engineering practice in the coming intelligence/convergence era (post-information age). The interdisciplinary fields include Cyber Engineering, Living Systems Engineering, Biomechatronics/Robotics Engineering, Knowledge Engineering, Emergent/Complexity Engineering, and Multiscale Systems engineering.
The paper identifies some of the characteristics of the intelligence/convergence era, gives broad definition of convergence, describes some of the emerging interdisciplinary fields, and lists some of the academic and other organizations working in these disciplines. The need is described for establishing a Hierarchical Cyber-Physical Ecosystem for facilitating interdisciplinary collaborations, and accelerating development of skilled workforce in the new fields. The major components of the ecosystem are listed.
The new interdisciplinary fields will yield critical advances in engineering practice, and help in addressing future challenges in broad array of sectors, from manufacturing to energy, transportation, climate, and healthcare. They will also enable building large future complex adaptive systems-of-systems, such as intelligent multimodal transportation systems, optimized multi-energy systems, intelligent disaster prevention systems, and smart cities.
Muscle Trigger Points, Pressure Pain Threshold, and Cervical Range of Motion in Patients With High Level of Disability Related to Acute Whiplash Injury
Authors: Fernández-Pérez Antonio Manuel , Villaverde-Gutiérrez Carmen , Mora-Sánchez Aurora , Alonso-Blanco Cristina , Sterling Michele , Fernández-de-las-Peñas César 
Published: June 2012

Study Design Cross-sectional cohort study. Objective To analyze the differences in the prevalence of trigger points (TrPs) between patients with acute whiplash-associated disorders (WADs) and healthy controls, and to determine if widespread pressure hypersensitivity and reduced cervical range of motion are related to the presence of TrPs in patients with acute WADs. Background The relationship between active TrPs and central sensitization is not well understood in patients with acute WADs. Methods Twenty individuals with a high level of disability related to acute WAD and 20 age- and sex-matched controls participated in the study. TrPs in the temporalis, masseter, upper trapezius, levator scapulae, sternocleidomastoid, suboccipital, and scalene muscles were examined. TrPs are defined as hypersensitive spots in a palpable taut band, producing a local twitch response and referred pain when palpated. Pressure pain threshold (PPT) was assessed bilaterally over the C5–6 zygapophyseal joints, second metacarpal, and tibialis anterior muscle. Active cervical range of motion, neck pain, and self-rated disability using the Neck Disability Index were also assessed. Results The mean ± SD number of TrPs for the patients with acute WADs was 7.3 ± 2.8 (3.4 ± 2.7 were latent TrPs; 3.9 ± 2.5 were active TrPs). In comparison, healthy controls had 1.7 ± 2.2 latent and no active TrPs (P<.01). In patients with acute WADs, the most prevalent sites for active TrPs were the levator scapulae and upper trapezius muscles. The number of active TrPs increased with higher neck pain intensity (P<.001) and a greater number of days since the accident (P = .003). Patients had significantly lower PPTs in all tested locations and less active cervical range of motion than controls (P<.001). In the patient group, there were significant negative correlations between the number of active TrPs and PPT over the C5–6 joints and cervical range of motion in flexion, extension, and rotation in both directions: the greater the number of active TrPs, the lower the bilateral PPT over the neck and the greater the cervical range-of-motion limitation. Conclusion The local and referred pain elicited from active TrPs reproduced neck and shoulder pain patterns in individuals with acute WADs with higher levels of disability. Patients with acute WADs exhibited widespread pressure hypersensitivity and reduced cervical mobility. The number of active TrPs was related to higher neck pain intensity, the number of days since the accident, higher pressure pain hypersensitivity over the cervical spine, and reduced active cervical range of motion. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2012;42(7):634–641, Epub 7 June 2012. doi:10.2519/jospt.2012.4117
New insights into retention aids dosage and mixing
Authors: Krochak Paul , Schack Susanne , Fasci Giuseppe 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
In this work, critical design and operational parameters for retention aids dosage are studied through a combination of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), experimentation and pilot-scale production trials. In the first part of this work, three different retention aids dosage strategies are investigated in conjunction with pilot scale production trials. In all dosage strategies, a maximum in the percentage filler retention was observed at a speed ratio of 1.1, while considerably lower retention levels were observed when the speed ratio was greater than 2.2. However, the different dosage strategies led to markedly different retention of filler material. In the second part of this work, two-phase computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to model the three different dosage strategies implemented in the pilot production trials. The location and magnitude of maximum strain in each nozzle was determined and for each dosage case this was found to occur just outside the dosage nozzle at the point of impingement between the dosage and outer flows. In the third part of this work, conditions leading to the onset of retention polymer degradation were determined using an experimental flow loop. The effect of dosage speed and elongational strain created inside the dosage nozzle were studied systematically. These experiments showed that the effect of relative dosage velocity on polymer degradation was minimal. However, large levels of polymer degradation were observed when the elongational strain in the dosage nozzle was increased, i.e. when the exit nozzle diameter was decreased. Together, the three sets of experiments suggest that elongational strain during dosage degrades retention aids polymers and therefore hinders filler retention during production.
Influence of the history of loading during beating on the evolution of the drainage resistance (SR)
Authors: Roux Jean-Claude , Bloch Jean-Francis , Nortier Patrice 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
This paper concerns the different refining loading conditions of a bleached softwood Kraft pulp on a Valley beater. The refining trials were performed in two stages; each stage was characterized by a constant normal force applied on the pulp in the gap clearance. In the first stage, the pulp was refined from an initial to a given pulp slowness (SR-45), with a force Fn1. Then, the refining was continued from the intermediate (SR-45) to the final pulp slowness with the force Fn2. By analogy with the pressing operation, we propose to introduce the concept of refining impulse defined as the product of the applied normal force by the duration time. This quantity is equal to the ratio of the refining energy to the peripheral speed. The refining intensity is proportional to the refining impulse divided by the number of crossing points. It was demonstrated that the pulp slowness evolution (SR) may be plotted as a master curve of the refining impulse. Consequently, the successive SR evolutions are only dependent on the refining impulse. It has to be noted that this quantity might be completed by the normal force itself to account for the prediction of the shortening of fibres.
The number of contacts in random fibre networks
Authors: Ekman Axel , Miettinen Arttu , Turpeinen Tuomas , Backfolk Kaj , Timonen Jussi 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
We present a method of determining the number of contacts in a planar fibrous network by first determining its average fibre segment length. An analytical expression is derived for the mean fibre segment length in terms of the average shortest path along fibres through the sample in the out-of-plane direction. The model is validated by applying the method to generated fibre networks, for which the segment lengths are known. Both the theoretical and experimental results show that the contact density is essentially proportional to the square of the solid content with a prefactor that depends only on the geometry of the fibres. The method is also tested on physical samples of cardboard, which were imaged with high resolution micro X-ray computed tomography. The results of the cardboards show similar behaviour as the generated fibre networks.
Fluorescence model for multi-layer papers using conventional spectrophotometers
Authors: Coppel Ludovic Gustafsson , Andersson Mattias , Neuman Magnus , Edström Per 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
We present an extension of a Kubelka- Munk based fluorescence model in which we introduce an apparent scattering (SUV) and absorption (KUV) coefficient for all wavelengths below 400 nm. We describe a method for modelling the total radiance factor of multi-layer papers and for estimating the optical parameters (S, K and Q) of each layer. Assuming that the fluorescent whitening agent only absorbs below 400 nm, we are able to determine SUV, KUVand the apparent quantum efficiency, Q(UV,λ) for 400 nm<λ<700 nm, from spectral radiance measurements in the visual part of the electromagnetic spectrum. We test the proposed method on different layered constructions made of three individual pilot paper layers. The proposed method allows the papermaker to determine the illumination independent fluorescence characteristics of single- and multilayer paper layers using a conventional singlemonochromator spectrophotometer operating in the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum, and also to predict the radiance factor of fluorescing layered papers.