bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reduction of Thyroid Nodule Volume by Levothyroxine and Iodine Alone and in Combination: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Grussendorf M. , Reiners C. , Paschke R. , Wegscheider K. 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Context:
Nodular goiter is common worldwide, but there is still debate over the medical treatment.

Objective:
The objective of the study was the measurement of the effect of a treatment with (nonsuppressive) T4, iodine, or a combination of both compared with placebo on volume of thyroid nodules and thyroid.

Design:
This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial in patients with nodular goiter in Germany [LISA (Levothyroxin und Iodid in der Strumatherapie Als Mono-oder Kombinationstherapie) trial].

Setting:
The study was conducted in outpatient clinics in university hospitals and regional hospitals and private practices.

Participants:
One thousand twenty-four consecutively screened and centrally randomized euthyroid patients aged 18–65 yr with one or more thyroid nodules (minimal diameter 10 mm) participated in the study.

Intervention:
Intervention included placebo, iodine (I), T4, or T4+I for 1 yr. T4 doses were adapted for a TSH target range of 0.2–0.8 mU/liter.

Outcome Measures:
The primary end point was percent volume reduction of all nodules measured by ultrasound, and the main secondary end point was a change in goiter volume.

Results:
Nodule volume reductions were −17.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) −24.8/−9.0%, P &lt; 0.001] in the T4+I group, −7.3% (95% CI −15.0/+1.2%, P = 0.201) in the T4 group, and −4.0% (95% CI −11.4/+4.2%, P = 0.328) in the I group as compared with placebo. In direct comparison, the T4+I therapy was significantly superior to T4 (P = 0.018) or I (P = 0.003). Thyroid volume reductions were −7.9% (95% CI −11.8/−3.9%, P &lt; 0.001), −5.2% (95% CI −8.7/−1.6%, P = 0.024) and −2.5% (95% CI −6.2/+1.4%, P = 0.207), respectively. The T4+I therapy was significantly superior to I (P = 0.034) but not to T4 (P = 0.190).

Conclusion:
In a region with a sufficient iodine supply, a 1-yr therapy with a combination of I and T4 with incomplete suppression of thyrotropin reduced thyroid nodule volume further than either component alone or placebo.
Selective and CO-Retentive Addition Reactions of Acid Chlorides to Terminal Alkynes in Synthesis of β-Chloro-α,β-unsaturated Ketones Using ZnO
Authors: Hosseini-Sarvari Mona , Mardaneh Zahra 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
The addition reaction of acid chlorides with terminal alkynes to afford β-chloro-α,β-unsaturated ketones using ZnO as catalyst has been studied under solvent-free conditions. All the reactions were done at room temperature and β-chloro-α,β-unsaturated ketones were obtained with selectivity in high yields.
First Report on Thermally Stable Cadmium Carbonyl Complex Containing an Interesting Chloroaryl Bridge: Isolation and Characterization
Authors: Dey Subrata K , Shit Shyamapada , Dey Sankar P , Mitra Samiran , Malik K M Abdul 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
A novel thermally stable tetranuclear cadmium carbonyl complex [Cd(CO)3(C6H3Cl)]4·2H2O has been synthesized for the first time through a green path with an overall yield of 35%. The synthetic route features a new pathway, creating the two ortho-positions with respect to the chlorine atom in the aryl rings for bridging two cadmium metal centers. The title complex has been characterized by microanalytical, infrared spectroscopic, and thermal methods while its structure has been established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction supported by 1H, 13C, and 113Cd NMR data.
Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Photoluminescent Properties of PdII Complexes Containing a Disulfanenitrile Ligand
Authors: Fujii Takayoshi , Sakagami Michiyasu , Suzuki Yasuhito 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
The bidendate ligand Ph2S(=N–(Ph2)S≡N)2 (ndsdsd) was used to prepare new PdII complexes. The homoleptic complex, [Pd(ndsdsd)2]Cl2 (1) and the heteroleptic complexes, [Pd(diimine)(ndsdsd)]Cl2 (diimine: 2,2′-bipyridine (2), 1,10-phenanthroline (3a), and 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (3b)) were prepared, and the molecular structures of 1–3 were characterized. The complexes 2 and 3 are not emissive at ambient temperature in the solid state, but the homoleptic complex 1 shows an unstructured emission bond (λmax = 690 nm).
Emergency Respiratory Admissions: Influence of Practice, Population and Hospital Factors
Authors: Purdy Sarah , Griffin Thomas , Salisbury Chris , Sharp Debbie 
Published: June 2011

Objective To determine the influence of population, hospital and general practice characteristics on practice admission rates for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in England. Methods Cross sectional study using Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), routine population data and primary care data. Admissions for all general practices in England during 2005-06, adjusted for age and sex composition of practice population. Univariable analysis of population, practice and hospital care provision variables, including prevalence and quality data. Significant factors included in multiple regression Poisson model. Results Admissions from 8169 practices were included. Risk of admission for each condition increased with deprivation, prevalence and smoking. Admission rates were higher in urban than rural practices. Hospital bed availability and distance to the nearest emergency department were also significantly associated with risk of admission. The associations with practice factors including practice size and quality markers varied across conditions. Conclusions Practice population, geographic and hospital supply factors are consistently associated with asthma and COPD admissions. Higher smoking rates among such patients in a practice are associated with higher admission rates. There is little evidence from this study that other modifiable general practice factors are important in influencing admission rates.
Sustainable Health Care
Authors: Light Kate , Harden Melissa , Stirk Lisa 
Published: June 2011

Issues concerning our impact on the environment are constantly in the news and people are becoming more aware of the contribution of health care to the situation. This edition of ‘What's on the web’ reviews sites that provide information about the ways health care facilities can mitigate their effects on the environment. If you would like to alert readers to useful web pages or suggest topics for this column, please send details to:
Assessing Integrated Risks of Offshore Wind Projects: Moving towards Gigawatt-Scale Deployments
Authors: Ram Bonnie 
Published: June 2011

This article looks at the potential risks and uncertainties associated with siting, constructing, and operating offshore wind facilities within a gigawatt-scale deployment strategy in North America. The U.S. electricity generation system, about 70 % fossil fuels and 20 % nuclear, is undergoing a sea change (EIA 2010). Two difficulties stand out in siting any utility-scale power plant and its delivery infrastructure anywhere; the potential catastrophic risks associated with oil and gas drilling and nuclear technologies, and the need to quickly expand low carbon, cost-effective energy supplies to meet expected demand under climate change scenarios in the next decade. Offshore wind has the potential to play a pivotal role in the low carbon energy supplies needed on the east coast and Great Lakes of the U.S. (DOE 2008, Musial and Ram 2010). The Department of Energy (DOE) estimated that the U.S. electricity sector could avoid 825 million tons of CO2 by integrating 20% wind energy (including 54 GW of offshore wind) into the U.S. electricity system by 2030 (DOE 2008a). The benefits of wind energy in mitigating climate change and other energy issues need to be considered together with the negative impacts in estimating and comparing risks involved in different energy sources (NRC 2009a). The European Community has shown the pathway with gigawatt-scale deployments operating, under construction, and planned in the Baltic, North and Irish Seas (Global Offshore Wind Farms Database 2011). This article argues that a new paradigm with a more systematic approach, beyond the engineering, policy, and financial market barriers, is essential to better inform gigawatt-scale wind decision makers and stakeholders. The diverse community of players and decision makers in the offshore wind industry requires a robust, integrated knowledge base. The knowledge base can help avoid surprises that impede and delay siting projects while laying the base for effective and fair approaches for communities along our coasts and Lakes. A new paradigm is proposed, an integrated risk analysis, as an effective approach to complex siting and community engagement issues.
d-Dimer Testing in Laboratory Practice
Authors: Tripodi Armando 
Published: June 2011

BACKGROUND
d-dimer is a reliable and sensitive index of fibrin deposition and stabilization. As such, its presence in plasma should be indicative of thrombus formation. There are many conditions unrelated to thrombosis in which d-dimer concentrations are high, however, making its positive predictive value rather poor.

CONTENT
Notwithstanding these limitations, d-dimer can be regarded as a most valuable laboratory tool to diagnose and manage a vast array of thrombosis-related clinical conditions, including (a) diagnosis of venous thromboembolism (VTE), (b) identification of individuals at increased risk of first thrombotic event (both arterial and venous), (c) identification of individuals at increased risk of recurrent VTE, (d) establishment of the optimal duration of secondary prophylaxis after a first episode of VTE, (e) pregnancy monitoring, and (f) diagnosis/monitoring of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). This article is aimed at reviewing the merits and pitfalls of these applications.

SUMMARY
From my analysis of the literature, I draw the following conclusions. (a) d-dimer, as measured by a sensitive test, can be safely used to exclude VTE in symptomatic outpatients, provided that it is used in combination with the pretest clinical probability. (b) High concentrations of d-dimer are associated with an increased risk of recurrent VTE. (c) Patients who present with d-dimer above cutoff after stopping the regular course of oral anticoagulation benefit from extended prophylaxis. (d) Finally, d-dimer can be used as a fibrin-related degradation marker for the diagnosis/management of patients with DIC.
A critical review and meta-analysis of the association between overt hyperthyroidism and mortality
Authors: Brandt Frans , Green Anders , Hegedüs Laszlo , Brix Thomas H 
Published: July 2011

BackgroundOvert hyperthyroidism has been associated with cardiac arrhythmias, hypercoagulopathy, stroke, and pulmonary embolism, all of which may increase mortality. Some, but not all, studies show an increased mortality in patients with hyperthyroidism. This inconsistency may be due to differences in study design, characteristics of participants, or confounders. In order to test whether hyperthyroidism influences mortality, we performed a critical review and statistical meta-analysis.MethodsBased on an electronic PubMed search, using the Medical Subject Heading words such as hyperthyroidism, thyrotoxicosis, and mortality or survival, case–control and cohort studies were selected and reviewed. Using meta-analysis, an overall relative risk (RR) of mortality was calculated.ResultsEight studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, six of which showed an increased all-cause mortality; seven studies, including 31 138 patients and 4 00 000 person years at risk, allowed calculation of mortality in a meta-analysis. Based on this, the RR of overall mortality was 1.21 (95% confidence interval: 1.05–1.38). Analyses including studies considering setting, treatment, and control for co-morbidity did not significantly alter this finding. As the measured heterogeneity (I2) ranges from 89.1 to 98.3%, which is much higher than the 50% generally viewed on as a threshold, the statistical heterogeneity is very pronounced in the included studies.ConclusionIn patients diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, mortality is increased by ∼20%. Future studies need to address the cause of hyperthyroidism, impact of type of therapy, time dependency, as well as the potential influence of confounding or genetic susceptibility before the question of causality can be answered.
Ethical Aspects of Research on Ethnic/Immigrant Entrepreneurship
Authors: Vinogradov Evgueni 
Published: July 2011

While numerous empirical studies on entrepreneurship among immigrants and ethnic minorities have been conducted all over the Western world, virtually no attention has been paid to ethical aspects of such studies. The purpose of this paper is to identify ethically ambiguous issues regarding research on ethnic/immigrant entrepreneurship, as well as propose methods for addressing such issues. The ethical issues and relevant solutions have been derived from empirical studies on immigrants and ethnic minorities in the fields of medicine, psychology, anthropology, sociology, and marketing, as well as from interviews with five of the leading contributors to the field of ethnic/immigrant entrepreneurship.
The results of this study indicate that research on immigrant and ethnic minority entrepreneurs requires specific methodology that differs from the approaches applied in the mainstream entrepreneurship research. Evidence against ethical universalism has been found in the literature reviewed. The review of the empirical studies revealed a number of potential ethical problems which are important for conducting research on immigrants and ethnic minorities. Lower average levels of education, unfamiliarity with local culture and social context, economic dependency, links to the home country and coethnic community, special legal position, and linguistic disadvantages have been identified as potential sources of ethical ambiguity. Methods for ethical research conduct have been proposed. The need for explicit discussion of the ethical issues in the articles published in international journals has been highlighted.
Biomarkers of Renal Function and Cognitive Impairment in Patients With Diabetes
Authors: Murray Anne M. , Barzilay Joshua I. , Lovato James F. , Williamson Jeff D. , Miller Michael E. , Marcovina Santica , Launer Lenore J. ,   for the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes Memory in Diabetes (ACCORD-MIND) Substudy Investigators
Published: June 2011

OBJECTIVE
Kidney disease is associated with cognitive impairment in studies of nondiabetic adults. We examined the cross-sectional relation between three measures of renal function and performance on four measures of cognitive function in the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes Memory in Diabetes (ACCORD-MIND) study.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
The relationships among estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) &lt;60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (n = 2,968), albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) ≥30 μg/mg (n = 2,957), and cystatin C level &gt;1.0 mg/L (n = 532) with tertile of performance on the Mini-Mental State Examination, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), and Stroop Test of executive function were measured.

RESULTS
In adjusted logistic regression models, ACR ≥30 μg/mg was associated with performance in the lowest tertile, compared with the highest two tertiles, on the RAVLT (odds ratio 1.30, 95% CI 1.09–1.56, P = 0.006), equivalent to 3.6 years of aging, and on the DSST (1.47, 1.20–1.80, P = 0.001), equivalent to 3.7 years of aging. Cystatin C &gt;1.0 mg/L was borderline associated with the lowest tertile on the DSST (1.81, 0.93–3.55, P = 0.08) and Stroop (1.78, 0.97–3.23, P = 0.06) in adjusted models. eGFR was not associated with any measure of cognitive performance.

CONCLUSIONS
In diabetic people with HbA1c &gt;7.5% at high risk for cardiovascular disease, decreased cognitive function was associated with kidney disease as measured by ACR, a measure of microvascular endothelial pathology, and cystatin C, a marker of eGFR.
Numerical Analysis of Test Embankment on Soft Ground Using Multi-Laminate Type Model with Destructuration / Analiza Numeryczna Nasypu Drogowego Posadowionego Na Gruncie Słabonosnym Z Zastosowaniem Modelu Wielopłaszczyznowego Z Destrukturyzacja
Authors: Cundi M. 
Published: July 2011

Abstract A multi-laminate constitutive model for soft soils incorporating structural anisotropy is presented. Stress induced anisotropy of strength, which is present in multi-laminate type constitutive models, is augmented by directionally distributed overconsolidation. The model is presented in the elastic-plastic version in order to simulate strength anisotropy of soft clayey soils and destructuration effects. Performance of the model is shown for some element tests and for the numerical simulation of a trial road embankment constructed on soft clays at Haarajoki, Finland. The numerical calculations are completed with the commercial finite element code capable to perform coupled static/consolidation analysis of soils. Problems related to the initiation of in situ stress state, conditions of preconsolidation, as well as difficulties linked to estimation of the model parameters are discussed. Despite simple assumptions concerning field conditions and non-viscous formulation of the constitutive model, the obtained final results are of a sufficient accuracy for geotechnical practice.
The Results of Analyses of Deep Excavation Walls Using two Different Methods of Calculation / Wyniki Analiz Obudów Głebokich Wykopów Uzyskane Z Dwóch Róznych Metod Obliczeniowych
Authors: Krasinski A. , Urban M. 
Published: July 2011

Abstract Deep excavation walls can be analyzed and calculated by using classical methods (currently rarely in use due to their many simplifications) or numerical methods. Among the numerical methods we can distinguish a simplified approach, in which the interaction between soil and a wall structure is modelled by a system of elasto-plastic supports, and the finite-element method (FEM) in which the soil is modelled with mesh of elements. It is a common view that if we want to analyze only wall constructions, the first, simplified method of calculation is sufficient. The second method, FEM, is required if we want to further analyze the stress and strain states in the soil and the influence of the excavation on the surrounding area. However, as it is demonstrated in the paper, important differences may appear in the calculation results of both methods. Thus, the safety design of a deep excavation structure depends very much on the choice of calculating method.
Digital Images with 3D Geometry from Data Compression by Multi-scale Representations of B-Spline Surfaces
Authors: Koch K. 
Published: June 2011

Digital Images with 3D Geometry from Data Compression by Multi-scale Representations of B-Spline SurfacesTo build up a 3D (three-dimensional) model of the surface of an object, the heights of points on the surface are measured, for instance, by a laser scanner. The intensities of the reflected laser beam of the points can be used to visualize the 3D model as range image. It is proposed here to fit a two-dimensional B-spline surface to the measured heights and intensities by the lofting method. To fully use the geometric information of the laser scanning, points on the fitted surface with their intensities are computed with a density higher than that of the measurements. This gives a 3D model of high resolution which is visualized by the intensities of the points on the B-spline surface. For a realistic view of the 3D model, the coordinates of a digital photo of the object are transformed to the coordinate system of the 3D model so that the points get the colors of the digital image. To efficiently compute and store the 3D model, data compression is applied. It is derived from the multi-scale representation of the dense grid of points on the B-spline surface. The proposed method is demonstrated for an example.
A New Type of Current Conveyor and its Application in Fully Balanced Differential Current-Mode Elliptic Filter Design
Authors: Zhang Qiujing , Wang Chunhua , Sun Jingru , Du Sichun 
Published: July 2011

A New Type of Current Conveyor and its Application in Fully Balanced Differential Current-Mode Elliptic Filter Design
This paper introduces a new type of CMOS-based current conveyor: current controlled fully balanced second generation current conveyor (CFBCCII) element which has a pair of differential Y terminals, a pair of differential X terminals and two pairs of Z terminals. The proposed circuit offers electronic tuning possibilities by means of a current adjustable intrinsic resistance at its X terminal. An elliptic filter realization is described as an example for its application in a current-mode fully balanced filter design, where the intrinsic resistors in CFBCCIIs are used for the electronic tuning of the characteristic filter frequency.
Schizophrenia Literacy Among Chinese in Shanghai, China: A Comparison with Chinese-Speaking Australians in Melbourne and Chinese in Hong Kong
Authors: Wong Daniel Fu Keung , Xuesong He 
Published: June 2011

Objective: The study reported in this paper was aimed at developing understanding of schizophrenia-related knowledge and preferences surrounding professional help, medication, and treatment methods among Chinese living in Shanghai, China. Method: A multi-stage cluster sampling method in which participants were taken from six of the 20 districts in Shanghai was adopted for this study. The 522 Shanghai Chinese participants were presented with a vignette describing an individual with schizophrenia before being asked questions designed to assess both their understanding of schizophrenia and their preferences surrounding professional help, medication, and treatment methods. A comparative approach was adopted to identify similarities and differences between our findings and those of two previous studies on the mental health literacy of Chinese living in Melbourne, Australia and Hong Kong, respectively. Results: A lower percentage of Shanghai Chinese than Hong Kong Chinese and Australian Chinese could correctly identify the condition described in the vignette as a case of acute schizophrenia. Although a far lower percentage of Shanghai Chinese endorsed the use of counselling professionals, a much higher percentage of the same group endorsed Chinese medical doctors and herbal medication. A lower percentage of Shanghai Chinese endorsed ‘lifestyle changes’ as a strategy for dealing with schizophrenia than did Chinese subjects living in Australia and Hong Kong. On the other hand, a higher percentage of Shanghai residents endorsed psychiatric treatment and the traditional Chinese practices of ‘eating nutritious food/taking supplements’ than among the other two groups of Chinese. Conclusions: This study highlights the need for educating Chinese in Shanghai to improve their schizophrenia literacy. The contents of the education programmes will need to take into consideration the socially and culturally driven beliefs that may have been influencing the knowledge and preferences of Shanghai Chinese concerning professional help, medication, and treatment methods for people suffering from schizophrenia.