bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Newborn screening for congenital hypothyroidism in very‐low‐birth‐weight babies: the need for a second test
Authors: Bijarnia Sunita , Wilcken Bridget , Wiley Veronica C. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractBackgroundVery‐low‐birth‐weight babies (VLBW) with hypothyroidism may show a delayed postnatal rise in thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), mainly due to immaturity of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐thyroid axis. Transient hypothyroidism is prevalent in VLBW babies and some affected babies are considered to need treatment. There is disagreement about whether a second screening test is needed in VLBW babies to detect all cases that need treatment.MethodsWe included in the study all babies with a birth weight ≤ 1,500 g born in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory between January 2006 and December 2008. Newborn screening samples for TSH measurement were taken in the first days of life and again at 1 month. During week 1, a blood‐spot TSH level of ≥20 mIU/L was considered positive, and at 1 month a positive level was ≥7 mIU/L, and triggered full investigation.ResultsIn the cohort of 301,000 babies, 2,313 VLBW babies survived for testing, and 2,117 repeat screening samples were received. Forty‐three babies had transient hypothyroidism, with thyroid function normalising before 2 months of age, usually without treatment. Eighteen babies required treatment beyond 2 months of age (1:128 of surviving babies), 16 having had normal TSH results on initial testing, and 12 having levels below 6 mIU/L.ConclusionSignificant hypothyroidism, transient or permanent, but persisting beyond 2 months of age is common in VLBW babies. There is a delayed rise in TSH in some, and secondary screening at 1 month of age detects babies deemed by local paediatric endocrinologists as needing treatment.
Preparation of Fat‐Liquor Based on Jojoba Oil Under Phase Transfer Catalysis
Authors: Nashy El‐Shahat H. A. , Megahed M. G. , Abd EL‐Ghaffar M. A. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractJojoba oil is of immense importance for industrial applications. There are a lot of published articles concerning its various uses in cosmetics, detergents, surfactants and lubricants. Therefore, this work was devoted to exploring its application for further use in the leather industry as a fat‐liquoring agent. The fat‐liquoring process is one important step in leather manufacturing, with the intention of obtaining leather of full, soft handle, flexibility, and pliability as well as improving its mechanical properties. The study involved preparation of jojoba fat‐liquor via a sulfitation process. An improvement of the sulfitation process based on combined SO3 content was achieved under phase transfer catalysis (PTC). Two differently prepared types of phase transfer catalyst of phosphonium and ammonium types were investigated, namely, benzyl tri‐phenyl phosphonium chloride (BTPP) and tri‐ethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (TEBA). The fat‐liquored leather led to an improvement in its mechanical properties such as tensile strength and elongation at break. In addition, a significant enhancement of the texture of the treated leather by jojoba fat‐liquor as indicated in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images was observed.
Goal-directed ultrasound in a limited resource healthcare setting and developing country
Authors: Elia Fabrizio , Campagnaro Tommaso , Salacone Paola , Casalis Sara 
Published: February 2011

Abstract

Background
In developing countries, access to diagnostic technology is limited by economic, social and geographical barriers. Diagnostic tools must be sustainable, effective and low cost.

Case
A 30-year-old man was admitted in a rural hospital with fever and chest pain and managed successfully with a goal-directed sonographic approach.

Conclusion
Ultrasound is a point of care, rapid, non-invasive and low-cost technology. Primary goal-directed ultrasound can be a high-impact diagnostic tool in scarce resource scenarios.
Kluver–Bucy syndrome in one case with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Lin Hsiu‐Fen , Yeh Yi‐Chun , Chen Chien‐Fu , Chang Wei‐Chen , Chen Cheng‐Sheng 
Published: February 2011

AbstractKluver–Bucy syndrome (KBS) is a collection of neuropsychiatric symptoms, including visual agnosia (prosopagnosia), hypermetamorphosis, placidity, hypersexuality, and hyperorality. Although neuropsychiatric manifestation is prevalent in cases with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), only one literature reported a case with SLE that had KBS previously. In this article, a 37‐year‐old woman with SLE who developed KBS and other neuropsychiatric symptoms is presented. Brain imaging proved the relevant structural lesion. The possible explanation of pathogenesis of KBS in SLE is discussed.
MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN ABŪ AL-WAFĀʾ'S ALMAGEST AND THE QIBLA DETERMINATIONS
Authors: Moussa Ali 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThe problem of the Qibla was one of the central issues in the scientific culture of Medieval Islam, and to solve it properly, one needed mathematics and observation. The mathematics consisted of two parts: plane trigonometry (to construct the trigonometric tables) and spherical trigonometry (as the problem belongs to spherical astronomy). Observation and its instruments were needed to find the geographical coordinates of Mecca and the given location; these coordinates (latitude, longitude) will be the input data in the formulas of the Qibla. In his Almagest, Abū al-Wafāʾ produced a brilliant work to solve the problem. He worked on both mathematics and observation, and reached accurate and easy “modern” solutions. In plane trigonometry, he introduced the trigonometric functions with new definitions, proved the formulas for sines, approximated the sine of degree one, and thus constructed the tables of sines and tangents with high accuracy. In spherical trigonometry, he proved four new spherical theorems, including the tangent rule (which was based on the new definitions and this rule allowed him to work out the easiest solution, as will be shown). In observation, he described three instruments which he used over several years in Baghdad. This paper is a detailed technical and analytical description of Abū al-Wafāʾ's mathematical methods and the Qibla determinations, supplemented with many important original Arabic texts with translation and commentary.
WIN WIN's Struggles with the Institutional Transfer of the EMILY's List Model to Japan: The Role of Accountability and Policy
Authors: GAUNDER ALISA 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThis article addresses the complexities of institutional transfer by exploring the case of EMILY's List and WIN WIN, two women's organizations in the US and Japan respectively that seek to increase the number of women in office by providing funds early in candidates’ campaigns. Specifically, it asks why WIN WIN has struggled to successfully implement the EMILY's List model in Japan. This article argues that differing institutional environments and cultures have less explanatory power than decisions made at the organization level. In particular, while differences in the political funding regimes and so-called ‘cultures of giving’ exist, they do not necessarily preclude the success of an EMILY's List-type organization in Japan. Instead, WIN WIN made significant strategic organizational decisions that have impeded its ability to have a significant impact on female candidacy at the national level. Specifically, WIN WIN's lack of accountability to its members combined with its broader commitment to gender consciousness have limited its success.
A voltage-mode class-S power amplifier for the 450 MHz band
Authors: Wentzel Andreas , Meliani Chafik , Heinrich Wolfgang 
Published: February 2011

This paper reports on a novel voltage-mode class-S power amplifier for the 450 MHz band, based on GaN–HEMT monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs). It achieves a peak output power of 3.4 W for a single tone at 400 MHz, encoded in standard band-pass delta-sigma modulation with 1.6 Gbps sampling frequency. The corresponding efficiency is 38%, peaking at 52% for 0.5 W output power. In order to demonstrate the influence of coding efficiency, additional measurements using a periodic square-wave signal were performed (class-D operation), which yield a maximum output power of 7 W with 64% efficiency. To the author's knowledge, these are the best results in this frequency range achieved so far with the voltage-mode class-S configuration. The paper discusses behavior at power back-off and the influence of the loss mechanisms.
A Critical Evaluation of Gestural Stiffness Estimations in Speech Production Based on a Linear Second-Order Model
Authors: Fuchs Susanne , Perrier Pascal , Hartinger Mariam 
Published: February 2011

Purpose
Linear second-order models have often been used to investigate properties of speech production. However, these models are inaccurate approximations of the speech apparatus. This study aims at assessing how reliably stiffness can be estimated from kinematics with these models.

Method
Articulatory movements were collected for 9 speakers of German during the production of reiterant CVCV words at varying speech rates. Velocity peaks, movement amplitudes, and gesture durations were measured. In the context of an undamped model, 2 stiffness estimations were compared that should theoretically yield the same result. In the context of a damped model, gestural stiffness and damping were calculated for each gesture.

Results
Numerous cases were found in which stiffness estimations based on the undamped model contradicted each other. Less than 80% of the data were found to be compatible with the properties of the damped model. Stiffness tends to decrease with gestural duration. However, it is associated with a large, unrealistic damping dispersion, making stiffness estimations from kinematic data to a large extent unreliable.

Conclusion
Any conclusions about speech control based on stiffness estimations using linear second-order models should therefore be considered with caution.
Children’s Performance in Complex Listening Conditions: Effects of Hearing Loss and Digital Noise Reduction
Authors: Pittman Andrea 
Published: February 2011

PurposeTo determine the effect of hearing loss (HL) on children’s performance for an auditory task under demanding listening conditions and to determine the effect of digital noise reduction (DNR) on that performance.MethodFifty children with normal hearing (NH) and 30 children with HL (8–12 years of age) categorized words in the presence of auditory or visual competitors, or both. Stimuli were presented at 50 dB SPL at a 0-dB signal-to-noise ratio. Children with HL were fitted with behind-the-ear hearing aids that had DNR technology. When DNR was activated, output decreased 4 dB, and signal-to-noise ratio increased 2 dB.ResultsSignificant main effects of group and age were observed. Performance for both groups decreased in noise, and the performance of the children with HL decreased further with the addition of the visual task. However, performance was unaffected by DNR. For the children with HL, stimulus audibility and communication skills contributed significantly to performance, whereas their history of hearing aid use did not.ConclusionsFor the children with HL, tasks unrelated to hearing interfered with their ability to participate in the auditory task. Consistent with previous studies, performance in noise was unaffected by DNR.
libfbi: a C++ implementation for fast box intersection and application to sparse mass spectrometry data
Authors: Kirchner Marc , Xu Buote , Steen Hanno , Steen Judith A. J. 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Motivation: Algorithms for sparse data require fast search and subset selection capabilities for the determination of point neighborhoods. A natural data representation for such cases are space partitioning data structures. However, the associated range queries assume noise-free observations and cannot take into account observation-specific uncertainty estimates that are present in e.g. modern mass spectrometry data. In order to accommodate the inhomogeneous noise characteristics of sparse real-world datasets, point queries need to be reformulated in terms of box intersection queries, where box sizes correspond to uncertainty regions for each observation.
Results: This contribution introduces libfbi, a standard C++, header-only template implementation for fast box intersection in an arbitrary number of dimensions, with arbitrary data types in each dimension. The implementation is applied to a data aggregation task on state-of-the-art liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry data, where it shows excellent run time properties.
Availability: The library is available under an MIT license and can be downloaded from http://software.steenlab.org/libfbi.
Contact: marc.kirchner@childrens.harvard.edu
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Renal dysfunction in patients with thalassaemia
Authors: Quinn Charles T. , Johnson Valerie L. , Kim Hae‐Young , Trachtenberg Felicia , Vogiatzi Maria G. , Kwiatkowski Janet L. , Neufeld Ellis J. , Fung Ellen , Oliveri Nancy , Kirby Melanie , Giardina Patricia J. ,   for the Thalassemia Clinical Research Network
Published: February 2011

SummaryLittle is known about the effects of thalassaemia on the kidney. Characterization of underlying renal function abnormalities in thalassaemia is timely because the newer iron chelator, deferasirox, can be nephrotoxic. We aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of renal abnormalities in thalassaemia patients, treated before deferasirox was widely available, using 24‐h collections of urine. We calculated creatinine clearance and urine calcium‐to‐creatinine ratio and measured urinary β2‐microglobulin, albumin, and protein. We used multivariate modelling to identify clinical, therapeutic, and laboratory predictors of renal dysfunction. One‐third of thalassaemia patients who were not regularly transfused had abnormally high creatinine clearance. Regular transfusions were associated with a decrease in clearance (P = 0·004). Almost one‐third of patients with thalassaemia had hypercalciuria, and regular transfusions were associated with an increase in the frequency and degree of hypercalciuria (P < 0·0001). Albuminuria was found in over half of patients, but was not consistently associated with transfusion therapy. In summary, renal hyperfiltration, hypercalciuria, and albuminuria are common in thalassaemia. Higher transfusion intensity is associated with lower creatinine clearance but more frequent hypercalciuria. The transfusion effect needs to be better understood. Awareness of underlying renal dysfunction in thalassaemia can inform decisions now about the use and monitoring of iron chelation.
Immunophenotypic features of acute myeloid leukaemia patients exhibiting high FLT3 expression not associated with mutations
Authors: Riccioni Roberta , Pelosi Elvira , Riti Viviana , Castelli Germana , Lo‐Coco Francesco , Testa Ugo 
Published: February 2011

Summary FMS‐related tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) mutations are found in 30% of cases of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). In addition, recent studies have lead to the identification of about 10–15% of AML patients displaying high expression of FLT3, not associated with mutations of the receptor (FLT3 Wild‐type High, FLT3WTH). These AMLs, as well as those displaying internal tandem duplication (ITD) are associated with an unfavourable prognosis. However, the biological features of these AMLs are poorly characterized. The present study explored the immunophenotypic features of FLT3WTH AMLs in 94 de novo cases of AML. The levels of FLT3 expression, as assessed by flow cytometry and FLT3 mutational status, was used to identify four AML subgroups: FLT3WTH (14/94); FLT3 Wild‐type low (FLT3WTL, 48/94); FLT3 internal tandem duplication (FLT3ITD 26/94); FLT3 aspartic acid 835 (FLT3D835, 6/94). FLT3WTH and FLT3ITD were characterized by: high white blast cell counts; predominance of M4 and M5 French‐American‐British classification subtypes and associated expression of myelo‐monocytic markers; high expression of CD123 and TRAIL‐Rs; high expression of receptors for angiogenic growth factors. Addition of FLT3 Ligand to human CD34+ or monocytic cells stimulated CD123 and TRAIL‐R expression. These findings are of potential value for the development of new therapeutic strategies.
Soluble CD163 levels in children with sickle cell disease
Authors: Moller Holger Jon , Nielsen Marianne Jensby , Bartram Jack , Dick Moira C. , Height Susan E. , Moestrup Soren K. , Rees David C. 
Published: February 2011

SummarySickle cell disease (SCD) is characterized by vasculopathy, which has been causally linked to intravascular haemolysis and high levels of free plasma haemoglobin. Soluble CD163 (sCD163) is implicated in the clearance of free plasma haemoglobin and high plasma concentrations have been linked to arterial disease. We therefore investigated the value of sCD163 as a biomarker in children with SCD, and also measured haptoglobin levels in this population. We measured sCD163 in 25 control children with no haemoglobinopathy, 41 with sickle cell anaemia (HbSS) in the steady state, 27 with HbSS taking hydroxycarbamide, and 7 with HbSC disease. There was no significant difference between sCD163 levels in steady‐state HbSS (1·78 mg/l) and controls (1·81 mg/l) (P = 0·86). However, sCD163 levels were significantly lower in those HbSS children taking hydroxycarbamide (1·35 mg/l) compared to both steady state HbSS (P = 0·004) and controls (P = 0·036). In children on hydroxycarbamide, sCD163 correlated negatively and highly significantly with percentage HbF (R = −0·76, P < 0·001), and this relationship was absent in those not taking hydroxycarbamide (R = 0·07, P = 0·65). sCD163 is a potentially useful biomarker in children with SCD, and may have a role in monitoring responses to hydroxycarbamide.
The emergence of angiostrongyliasis in the People’s Republic of China: the interplay between invasive snails, climate change and transmission dynamics
Authors: LV SHAN , ZHANG YI , STEINMANN PETER , YANG GUO‐JING , YANG KUN , ZHOU XIAO‐NONG , UTZINGER JÜRG 
Published: February 2011

Summary1. Only few freshwater snail species transmit the rat lungworm Angiostrongylus cantonensis, which is partially explained by the low likelihood of contact between snails and infected rat faeces. The snail Pomacea canaliculata was introduced into China in 1981 and has become the key intermediate host for A. cantonensis. Thus far, the snail has been recorded in 13 provinces of southern China.2. We developed a biological model and assessed potential impacts of climate change on the distribution of P. canaliculata and hence the transmission of A. cantonensis. Mean January temperature and snail generation intensity (generation number) were identified as the key factors determining P. canaliculata distribution. Our models predict an increase of 56.9% for the ‘spread’ and a decrease of 40.9% for the ‘establishment’ regions (‘spread’ and ‘establishment’ defined according to a national sampling survey) by the 2030s relative to the present day.3. Key determinants of A. cantonensis transmission were identified as the generation intensity in the intermediate host, the longevity of A. cantonensis‐infected rats and the dormant period of P. canaliculata. Transmission of A. cantonensis occurs only in areas where the snail’s dormant period is <173.2 days. The potential endemic area of A. cantonensis is predicted to double by the 2030s relative to the present day.4. The tight fit of our model predictions with data derived from a national sampling survey suggests that biological models hold promise for assessing potential impacts of climate change on infectious diseases once key determinants have been established. Geographical variation analysis may offer an approach to identify areas prone to the spread of vectors, intermediate hosts and parasites in a future warmer China and elsewhere.
A survey analysis of grassland dairy farming in Ireland, investigating grassland management, technology adoption and sward renewal
Authors: Creighton P. , Kennedy E. , Shalloo L. , Boland T. M. , O’ Donovan M. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThe objective of this study was to identify and understand grassland management practices employed on dairy farms in the Republic of Ireland, including grazing‐season length, concentrate‐feed input, uptake of new grassland‐management technologies and frequency and methods of sward renewal. The sample population for the survey was chosen from a proportionate representation of all milk suppliers taken from three of the largest dairy processors in the Republic of Ireland. The sample was subsequently broken down into three stocking rate (SR) and three size categories of milk quota (Qcat) to investigate their effects on the survey variables. Both SR and Qcat had significant effects on the proportion of participants adopting grass‐based technologies and on the amount of supplementary feed offered. Grazing‐season length increased from 228 d in Qcat1 to 249 d in Qcat 3 but was unaffected by SR (241 d; s.d. 3·05). The proportion of the grazing area reseeded annually was significantly affected by SR, increasing from 0·044 to 0·095 of the grassland area as SR increased from SR1 to SR3, with no effect of Qcat (0·068). The results show that on‐farm grass utilization is low, with significant potential for expansion and increased efficiency through increased SRs, greater adoption of grassland‐management technologies and higher levels of sward renewal.
Semen quality and reproductive hormone levels in men from Southern Spain
Authors: Fernandez M. F. , Duran I. , Olea N. , Avivar C. , Vierula M. , Toppari J. , Skakkebæk N. E. , Jørgensen N. 
Published: February 2011

SummaryIn North European countries, a significant difference in semen quality among young men has been shown. Men from the western countries, Denmark, Germany and Norway, have lower semen quality than men from the eastern countries Finland, Estonia and Lithuania. Similarly, men in the western countries have a higher risk of testicular cancer. According to the testicular dysgenesis syndrome (TDS) concept that suggests a link between risk of impaired semen quality and increased risk of testicular cancer, Spanish men would be expected to have a semen quality at a normal level because of their very low testis cancer risk. We therefore investigated 273 men from the Almeria region in the Southern Spain to test this hypothesis. The men delivered semen samples, underwent physical examinations, had a blood sample drawn and provided information on lifestyle and reproductive health parameters. The investigations took place from November 2001 to December 2002. Adjusting for effects of confounders, the median sperm concentration and total sperm count were 62 (95% confidence interval 47–82) million/mL and 206 (153–278) million, respectively. The median numbers of motile and morphologically normal spermatozoa assessed according to strict criteria were 59% (57–62%) and 9.4% (8.6–10.0%), respectively. The median total testosterone and calculated free androgen index were 28 nm (26–30) and 95 (88–103), respectively. Assuming that the investigated men, to a large extent, are representative of the population of young men the Southern Spain, the results show that these have normal semen quality and reproductive hormone levels as expected in a population with a low incidence of testicular cancer.