bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High Doses of Rosuvastatin are Superior to Low Doses of Rosuvastatin Plus Fenofibrate or n‐3 Fatty Acids in Mixed Dyslipidemia
Authors: Agouridis A. P. , Tsimihodimos V. , Filippatos T. D. , Tselepis A. D. , Elisaf M. S. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThe aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of high‐dose rosuvastatin, low‐dose rosuvastatin plus fenofibrate and low‐dose rosuvastatin plus omega‐3 fatty acids with regard to the lipid profile in patients with mixed hyperlipidemia. The primary endpoint was changes in non‐high density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (non‐HDL‐C) levels. Study participants were randomly allocated to receive rosuvastatin 40 mg (n = 30, R group), rosuvastatin 10 mg plus fenofibrate 200 mg (n = 30, RF group) or rosuvastatin 10 mg plus n‐3 fatty acids 2 g (n = 30, RN group). Non‐HDL‐C levels were reduced in all groups: in R group by 54%, in RF group by 42% and in RN group by 42%. Significant reductions in total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL)‐C and triglyceride levels were observed in all groups. The reductions in total and LDL‐C were greatest in the R group while a more pronounced reduction of triglycerides in the RF group compared with that in the R and the RN group was observed. HDL‐C levels were significantly increased only in the RF group. In conclusion, high doses of rosuvastatin and small doses of rosuvastatin plus either fenofibrate or n‐3 fatty acids exhibit favorable effects on both LDL‐C and non‐HDL‐C levels. However, rosuvastatin monotherapy more potently reduces these parameters. The combination of rosuvastatin plus fenofibrate leads to a greater decrease in triglyceride levels and a greater increase in HDL‐C levels compared with the other two treatments. While awaiting the results of ongoing trials high doses of rosuvastatin may represent the treatment of choice in individuals with mixed dyslipidemia.
Efficient Utilization of Crude Glycerol as Fermentation Substrate in the Synthesis of Poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) Biopolymers
Authors: Ashby Richard D. , Solaiman Daniel K. Y. , Strahan Gary D. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractOne refined and two crude glycerol (from biodiesel production) samples were utilized to produce poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) by Pseudomonas oleovorans NRRL B‐14682. A batch culture fermentation protocol including 1% glycerol and an aeration rate of 3 standard liters per minute proved best for PHB synthesis (av. yield = 1.0 ± 0.2 g/L at 48 h) and efficient glycerol utilization. PHB molecular weights decreased as MeOH concentration increased. Refined glycerol resulted in PHB polymers with number average molecular weights (Mn) of 314,000 g/mol which decreased by 17 and 90% as MeOH media concentrations increased to <0.005 and 0.85%, respectively. Proton (1H) NMR demonstrated the presence of glycerol‐ and methoxy‐based end‐capping, which was confirmed by 1H diffusion experiments (DOSY analyses). NMR diffusion analyses of the PHB polymers established their diffusivities, and confirmed that their relative molecular sizes were dependent on the impurities in the glycerol. In addition, DOSY analyses indicated that each end‐capped PHB polymer and the glycerol or methoxy groups bound to it had the same diffusion constants, demonstrating that they migrated together as covalent complexes. Non‐covalent complexation was eliminated by physically mixing free glycerol with PHB synthesized from oleic acid; their respective diffusivities were notably faster.
A Brief History of Lipid Oxidation
Authors: Hammond Earl G. , White Pamela J. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThe history of our understanding of fat oxidation is reviewed from the early observations that oxygen was involved to the discovery of the role of singlet oxygen. It includes the debate about relative importance of triglyceride hydrolysis and oxidation; the search for tests that correlated with oxidized flavor; the evidence that oxidation involved the formation of hydroperoxides; the development of tests for hydroperoxides; and the work on the chemistry, mechanism, and kinetics of oxidation by the British Rubber Producers Research Association. The review ends with the effort to isolate and determine the structure of the oxidation products of the common unsaturated fatty acids, their relative rate of oxidation, and the role of singlet oxygen and metals in initiation.
Purity Assessment of Commercial Zein Products After Purification
Authors: Sessa D. J. , Woods K. K. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractSuccessful utilization of commercial zein products for certain food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and medical applications requires a decolorized/deodorized zein of high purity that can be achieved by column filtration of commercial yellow zein solutions through Zeolite 5A and activated carbon. The objective of this investigation was to devise a combination of methodologies to assess purity and degree of deodorization and decolorization. Off‐odor removal is defined by a UV spectroscopic ratio of 280:325 nm where diferuloylputrescine is the major contributor. Removal of yellow color, attributed to xanthophylls in zein, was followed by visible spectroscopic assays of a series of dilutions at 448 nm. SDS‐PAGE analysis demonstrated removal of β‐zein in combination with diminished sulfur content by sulfur analysis. Zein purity was assessed by Dumas nitrogen and FTIR of commercial zein before and after column filtration. Spectral differences were observed in the amide I (1,650 cm−1) peak, amide II region (1,530 and 1,550 cm−1) and the amide III peak at 1,240 cm−1, where ratio of the dominant peaks were strongly dependent on purity of sample. Circular dichroism (CD) analyses validated the FTIR results by showing increased α‐helical content for the column purified zeins. Combinations of these methodologies can be used to define zein products as a quality control measure for a commercial operation.
A middleware platform to support river monitoring using wireless sensor networks
Authors: Hughes Danny , Ueyama Jo , Mendiondo Eduardo , Matthys Nelson , Horré Wouter , Michiels Sam , Huygens Christophe , Joosen Wouter , Man Ka Lok , Guan Sheng-Uei 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Flooding is a critical global problem, which is growing more severe due to the effects of climate change. This problem is particularly acute in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, where flooding during the rainy season incurs significant financial and human costs. Another critical problem associated with flooding is the high level of pollution present in urban rivers. Efforts to address these problems focus upon three key research areas: river monitoring, modelling of river conditions and incident response. This paper introduces a rich next-generation middleware platform designed to support wireless sensor network based environmental monitoring along with a supporting hardware platform. This system has been deployed and evaluated in a real-world river monitoring scenario in the city of São Carlos, Brazil.
Propaganda and Sovereignty in Wartime China: Morale Operations and Psychological Warfare under the Office of War Information
Authors: JOHNSON MATTHEW D. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractDuring the later years of the War of Resistance to Japan (1937–1945), United States (US) propaganda activities intensified in both Japanese military-occupied and ‘free’ regions of China. One of the most important organizations behind these activities was the Office of War Information (OWI). This paper examines the OWI, and particularly its Overseas Office, as key institutional actors within a broader US total war effort which touched the lives of civilian populations in East Asia as well as combatants, arguing that:•US propaganda institutions and propagandists played demonstrable roles in representing and shaping the experience of war in China;•these institutions, which included Asians and individuals of Asian descent, simultaneously acted to advance US goals in the wartime ‘Far East’;•while cooperation between US and Chinese governments was sporadic in the area of psychological warfare, conflicts over control often undermined or limited operations;•despite these shortcomings, US propaganda institutions (which included both the OWI and offices within the Department of State) had developed comparatively wide-ranging capabilities by the end of the war, and continued operations into the Civil War of 1945–1949.By 1945 propaganda had become an activity which regularly targeted allied populations as well as enemies. This process was facilitated by the early twentieth-century communications revolution, but was planned and controlled by the new engineers of the post-war order.
Choice and Welfare Reform: Lone Parents’ Decision Making around Paid Work and Family Life
Authors: RAFFERTY ANTHONY , WIGGAN JAY 
Published: February 2011

AbstractWelfare-to-work policy in the UK sees ‘choice’ regarding lone parents’ employment decisions increasingly defined in terms of powers of selection between options within active labour market programmes, with constraints on the option of non-market activity progressively tightened. In this paper, we examine the wider choice agenda in public services in relation to lone-parent employment, focusing on the period following the 2007 Freud Review of welfare provision. (Freud, 2007) Survey data are used to estimate the extent to which recent policies promoting compulsory job search by youngest dependent child age map onto lone parents' own stated decision-making regarding if and when to enter the labour market. The findings indicate a substantial proportion of lone parents targeted by policy reform currently do not want a job and that their main reported reason is that they are looking after their children. Economically inactive lone mothers also remain more likely to have other chronic employment barriers, which traverse dependent child age categories. Some problems, such as poor health, sickness or disability, are particularly acute among those with older dependent children who are the target of recent activation policy.
Estimating the number of segments for improving dialogue act labelling
Authors: TAMARIT VICENT , MARTÍNEZ-HINAREJOS CARLOS-D. , BENEDÍ JOSÉ-MIGUEL 
Published: February 2011

AbstractIn dialogue systems it is important to label the dialogue turns with dialogue-related meaning. Each turn is usually divided into segments and these segments are labelled with dialogue acts (DAs). A DA is a representation of the functional role of the segment. Each segment is labelled with one DA, representing its role in the ongoing discourse. The sequence of DAs given a dialogue turn is used by the dialogue manager to understand the turn. Probabilistic models that perform DA labelling can be used on segmented or unsegmented turns. The last option is more likely for a practical dialogue system, but it provides poorer results. In that case, a hypothesis for the number of segments can be provided to improve the results. We propose some methods to estimate the probability of the number of segments based on the transcription of the turn. The new labelling model includes the estimation of the probability of the number of segments in the turn. We tested this new approach with two different dialogue corpora:SwitchBoardandDihana. The results show that this inclusion significantly improves the labelling accuracy.
An analysis of US greenhouse gas cap-and-trade proposals using a forward-looking economic model
Authors: GURGEL ANGELO COSTA , PALTSEV SERGEY , REILLY JOHN , METCALF GILBERT 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTWe develop a forward-looking version of the recursive dynamic MIT Emissions Prediction and Policy Analysis (EPPA) model, and apply it to examine the economic implications of proposals in the US Congress to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We find that shocks in the consumption path are smoothed out in the forward-looking model and that the lifetime welfare cost of GHG policy is lower than in the recursive model, since the forward-looking model can fully optimize over time. The forward-looking model allows us to explore issues for which it is uniquely well suited, including revenue-recycling and early action crediting. We find capital tax recycling to be more welfare-cost reducing than labor tax recycling because of its long-term effect on economic growth. Also, there are substantial incentives for early action credits; however, when spread over the full horizon of the policy they do not have a substantial effect on lifetime welfare costs.
Being in‐between: The relevance of ethnography and auto‐ethnography for psychotherapy research
Authors: Siddique Salma 
Published: February 2011

AbstractAims: This paper proposes that ethnography and auto‐ethnography can make important contributions to counselling and psychotherapy research. Auto‐ethnography is a recent methodological approach that focuses on the subjective experiences of the researcher. It is informed by anthropology, which encourages the researcher to journey alongside the persons being observed and to make meaning of complex symbolic systems in their lives. Method: Examples from a study of therapeutic processes in a mental health setting for women are examined. Discussion: If auto‐ethnography situates the researcher with the insider's perspective and ethnography is from the outsider's perspective, the researcher is caught ‘in‐between’ these two approaches. Acknowledging the concept of ‘in‐between‐ness’ can both cause discomfort and transform the experience of all who engage in the process and enhance the quality of the research.
Self‐help strategies to reduce emotional distress: What do people do and why? A qualitative study
Authors: Marley Elizabeth 
Published: February 2011

AbstractBackground: Some people with psychological distress do not seek professional help but opt instead for self‐help strategies to reduce their symptoms. Little is known about these strategies. Aim: To investigate which self‐help approaches might be employed to reduce the effects of emotional distress, and the reasons for these choices. Method: Semi‐structured interviews with 11 clerical employees generated data analysed using grounded theory. Findings: Managing distress is a complex and multi‐dimensional process unique to each individual. The use of self‐help options is determined by the interconnection between the person's core beliefs, their social networks, and ideas about coping. Such beliefs may hinder help‐seeking. People tend to engage in activities that are familiar to them already, rather than attempt new ones. The purpose of self‐help strategies is to distract the person from their problems and to contribute to physical and mental well‐being. Implications for practice are discussed.
Can food be addictive? Public health and policy implications
Authors: Gearhardt Ashley N. , Grilo Carlos M. , DiLeone Ralph J. , Brownell Kelly D. , Potenza Marc N. 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTAims  Data suggest that hyperpalatable foods may be capable of triggering an addictive process. Although the addictive potential of foods continues to be debated, important lessons learned in reducing the health and economic consequences of drug addiction may be especially useful in combating food‐related problems.Methods  In the current paper, we review the potential application of policy and public health approaches that have been effective in reducing the impact of addictive substances to food‐related problems.Results  Corporate responsibility, public health approaches, environmental change and global efforts all warrant strong consideration in reducing obesity and diet‐related disease.Conclusions  Although there exist important differences between foods and addictive drugs, ignoring analogous neural and behavioral effects of foods and drugs of abuse may result in increased food‐related disease and associated social and economic burdens. Public health interventions that have been effective in reducing the impact of addictive drugs may have a role in targeting obesity and related diseases.
Pill content, dose and resulting plasma concentrations of 3,4‐methylendioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in recreational ‘ecstasy’ users
Authors: Morefield Kate M. , Keane Michael , Felgate Peter , White Jason M. , Irvine Rodney J. 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTAims  To improve our understanding of the pharmacology of ‘ecstasy’ in recreational environments; in particular, to describe the composition of ecstasy pills, patterns of ecstasy use and the relationship between dose of 3,4‐methylendioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and resulting plasma concentrations.Design, setting and participants  A naturalistic observational study of 56 experienced ‘ecstasy’ users in recreational settings in Australia.Measurements  Drug use patterns (number of pills consumed, other drugs consumed). drug content of pills and resultant plasma concentrations of MDMA and related drugs were assessed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).Findings  Ecstasy pills generally contained MDMA, but this was often combined with other drugs such as 3,4‐methylendioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA) and methamphetamine. The dose of MDMA per pill ranged from 0 to 245 mg and users consumed from one‐half to five pills, with the total dose consumed ranging up to 280 mg. Plasma concentrations of MDMA increased with number of pills consumed and cumulative MDMA dose. Use of larger numbers of pills was associated with extended exposure to the drug.Conclusions  MDMA is the major active drug in ecstasy pills, but there is a high degree of variation in doses. Use of multiple pills over the course of one session is common and results in a sustained increase in MDMA plasma concentrations over a number of hours. This is likely to lead to a much greater exposure of the brain to MDMA than would be predicted from controlled single‐dose pharmacokinetic studies.
Employment‐based reinforcement of adherence to depot naltrexone in unemployed opioid‐dependent adults: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Everly Jeffrey J. , DeFulio Anthony , Koffarnus Mikhail N. , Leoutsakos Jeannie‐Marie S. , Donlin Wendy D. , Aklin Will M. , Umbricht Annie , Fingerhood Michael , Bigelow George E. , Silverman Kenneth 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTAims  Naltrexone can be used to treat opioid dependence, but patients refuse to take it. Extended‐release depot formulations may improve adherence, but long‐term adherence rates to depot naltrexone are not known. This study determined long‐term rates of adherence to depot naltrexone and whether employment‐based reinforcement can improve adherence.Design  Participants who were inducted onto oral naltrexone were assigned randomly to contingency (n = 18) or prescription (n = 17) groups. Participants were offered six depot naltrexone injections and invited to work at the therapeutic workplace on week days for 26 weeks, where they earned stipends for participating in job skills training. Contingency participants were required to accept naltrexone injections to maintain workplace access and to maintain maximum pay. Prescription participants could work independently of whether they accepted injections.Setting  The therapeutic workplace, a model employment‐based intervention for drug addiction and unemployment.Participants  Opioid‐dependent unemployed adults.Measurements  Depot naltrexone injections accepted and opiate‐negative urine samples.Findings  Contingency participants accepted significantly more naltrexone injections than prescription participants (81% versus 42%), and were more likely to accept all injections (66% versus 35%). At monthly assessments (with missing urine samples imputed as positive), the groups provided similar percentages of samples negative for opiates (74% versus 62%) and for cocaine (56% versus 54%). Opiate‐positive samples were more likely when samples were also positive for cocaine.Conclusions  Employment‐based reinforcement can maintain adherence to depot naltrexone. Future research should determine whether persistent cocaine use compromises naltrexone's effect on opiate use. Workplaces may be useful for promoting sustained adherence to depot naltrexone.
Deviant socialization mediates transmissible and contextual risk on cannabis use disorder development: a prospective study
Authors: Tarter Ralph E. , Fishbein Diana , Kirisci Levent , Mezzich Ada , Ridenour Ty , Vanyukov Michael 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTAims  This study examined the contribution of transmissible risk, in conjunction with family and peer contextual factors during childhood and adolescence, on the development of cannabis use disorder in adulthood.Design  The family high‐risk design was used to recruit proband fathers with and without substance use disorder and track their sons longitudinally from late childhood to adulthood.Setting  The families were recruited under the aegis of the Center for Education and Drug Abuse Research in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.Participants  The oldest son in the family was studied at ages 10–12, 16, 19 and 22 years.Measurements  The transmissible liability index (TLI), along with measures of quality of the parent–child relationship, cooperative behavior at home, social attitudes and peer milieu were administered to model the developmental pathway to cannabis use disorder.Findings  Affiliation with socially deviant peers and harboring non‐normative attitudes (age 16) mediate the association between transmissible risk for substance use disorder (SUD) (age 10–12) and use of illegal drugs (age 19), leading to cannabis use disorder (age 22).Conclusions  Deviant socialization resulting from transmissible risk and poor parent–child relationship is integral to development of cannabis use disorder in young adulthood.
Staff regard towards working with substance users: a European multi‐centre study
Authors: Gilchrist Gail , Moskalewicz Jacek , Slezakova Silvia , Okruhlica Lubomir , Torrens Marta , Vajd Rajko , Baldacchino Alex 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTAims  To compare regard for working with different patient groups (including substance users) among different professional groups in different health‐care settings in eight European countries.Design  A multi‐centre, cross‐sectional comparative study.Setting  Primary care, general psychiatry and specialist addiciton services in Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Poland, Scotland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain.Participants  A multi‐disciplinary convenience sample of 866 professionals (physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses and social workers) from 253 services.Measurements  The Medical Condition Regard Scale measured regard for working with different patient groups. Multi‐factor between‐subjects analysis of variance determined the factors associated with regard for each condition by country and all countries.Findings  Regard for working with alcohol (mean score alcohol: 45.35, 95% CI 44.76, 45.95) and drug users (mean score drugs: 43.67, 95% CI 42.98, 44.36) was consistently lower than for other patient groups (mean score diabetes: 50.19, 95% CI 49.71, 50.66; mean score depression: 51.34, 95% CI 50.89, 51.79) across all countries participating in the study, particularly among staff from primary care compared to general psychiatry or specialist addiction services (P < 0.001). After controlling for sex of staff, profession and duration of time working in profession, treatment entry point and country remained the only statistically significant variables associated with regard for working with alcohol and drug users.Conclusions  Health professionals appear to ascribe lower status to working with substance users than helping other patient groups, particularly in primary care; the effect is larger in some countries than others.