bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Brain Tumor Symptoms as Antecedents to Uncertainty: An Integrative Review
Authors: Cahill Jennifer , LoBiondo‐Wood Geri , Bergstrom Nancy , Armstrong Terri 
Published: May 2012

AbstractPurpose: Uncertainty is a common experience within human cancer. For brain tumor patients, irregular symptom pattern and presentation may promote uncertainties about treatment response, prognosis, and life quality. We sought to identify the somatic symptom experience associated with primary and secondary brain tumors and the potential impact on illness‐related uncertainty.Methods: An integrative literature search of Medline and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) was performed. Symptom data were excerpted into tables and reviewed critically against the broader uncertainty‐focused oncology literature.Results: Twenty‐one studies investigated a diverse range of brain tumor symptoms that persist through the now‐expanding, post‐treatment survival. While symptoms such as fatigue were common, antecedents and patterns were poorly characterized and inconsistent between and within categories of tumor.Conclusions and Implications: Symptom investigation is an emerging and rapidly developing area of neuro‐oncology. The extent to which symptoms are familiar, predictable, and understandable can mitigate uncertainty. The unstable nature of symptoms across the trajectory of a brain tumor may be a significant corollary to illness‐related uncertainty.Clinical Relevance: Because the majority of brain tumor patients cannot be cured of their cancer, understanding the symptom expanse and potential to promote uncertainty could inform alternative nursing strategies to reduce anxiety and distress, and to preserve life quality where cure is often unattainable.
Characterization of Polycarboxylate‐Ether Based Superplasticizer on Cement Clinker Surfaces
Authors: Ferrari Lucia , Bernard Laetitia , Deschner Florian , Kaufmann Josef , Winnefeld Frank , Plank Johann 
Published: May 2012

The application of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) based binder is commonly improved by the addition of rheology modifying agents, i.e. superplasticizers. In this work the interaction between polycarboxylate‐ether based superplasticizers (PCEs) and the hydration products formed in aqueous solutions, after 30 min on polished OPC clinker surfaces is studied. Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy provides the chemical analysis and the localization of the different phases below the superficial hydration products. Time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry allowed to detect for the first time on which cement phases PCE preferentially adsorbed, and is used to map the distribution of the chemical elements at the surface of the clinker. Force measurements in liquid, performed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) with sharp tips, test the surface‐tip interactions in presence/absence of PCE. The results show that superplasticizers interact strongly with K+ and SO42− ions, precipitating in K2SO4 salts. When PCE traps the sulfate ions, the concentration of this ions specie in the solution is reduced, inhibiting ettringite formation. AFM force measurements allow the distinction between positively and negatively charged hydration products, revealing that the interaction forces between different phases are homogenized by the presence of PCE, providing stability to the suspended particles.
Agricultural policy and productivity: evidence from Brazilian censuses
Authors: Rada Nicholas E. , Buccola Steven T. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBrazil's economic strategy has shifted hesitatingly during the last several decades from one of producer protection to trade competitiveness. Exploiting the variations these shifts have afforded, we use a sequence of decennial agricultural censuses to examine Brazilian policy implications for agricultural competitiveness and efficiency. Total factor productivity is decomposed into best‐technology and efficiency elements, each subject to policy influence. We find technology growth, at 4.5% per annum, to have been extraordinarily high, particularly in the south. But because productivity among average producers has fallen rapidly behind that on the technical frontier, total productivity growth has been a much more modest 2.6% per year. Public agricultural research programs most benefit the country's technological leaders, widening the gap between frontier and average producer. Credit, education, and road construction policies instead narrow that gap. Credit and road programs especially enhance efficiency in the south, where efficiency losses have been greatest.
Modeling agricultural innovation in a rapidly developing country: the case of Chinese pesticide industry
Authors: Shi Guanming , Pray Carl 
Published: May 2012

AbstractTechnology and innovation play an increasingly important role in the economic development of both developed and developing countries. We investigate how policy and market factors influence firms’ (or other potential inventors’) decisions on innovation or imitation by developing a model that emphasizes expected market size, appropriability and technological opportunity. We empirically test the model using provincial pesticide innovation data from a rapidly developing country, China. We find that the government encouraged local innovation by opening regions to more international trade, by increasing investments in public research and education, and by strengthening intellectual property right (IPR) enforcement to meet its WTO TRIPS obligations. Moreover, while IPR enforcement and increases in market size are important in encouraging innovation, empirical evidence is mixed as inventors respond to these factors differently. Policies to increase expected market size could increase copying rather than inducing R&D investments, and extended patent life may reinforce the original standing of infringers as well as inventors.
Women rule: potato markets, cellular phones and access to information in the Bolivian highlands
Authors: Urquieta Nadezda R. Amaya , Alwang Jeffrey 
Published: May 2012

AbstractIn highland Bolivia, potato markets are widespread and access to market information has entered the digital age. Information networks lubricated by ubiquitous cellular technologies are supplanting traditional means of information‐gathering. We explore the impacts of access to cellular phones on market selection, use of social networks to acquire information, and gendered responsibilities within the potato market chain near Cochabamba. The entire family participates in potato production and marketing, but responsibilities are differentiated by gender. Men take a leading role in potato production and women in marketing. Access to cellular phones affects decisions about where to market potatoes and improves the potato marketing process.
Organic certification, export market access and the impacts of policy: Bayesian estimation of avocado smallholder “times‐to‐organic certification” in Michoacán Mexico
Authors: Hattam Caroline E. , Lacombe Donald J. , Holloway Garth J. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThis study analyzes organic adoption decisions using a rich set of time‐to‐organic durations collected from avocado small‐holders in Michoacán Mexico. We derive robust, intrasample predictions about the profiles of entry and exit within the conventional‐versus‐organic complex and we explore the sensitivity of these predictions to choice of functional form. The dynamic nature of the sample allows us to make retrospective predictions and we establish, precisely, the profile of organic entry had the respondents been availed optimal amounts of adoption‐restraining resources. A fundamental problem in the dynamic adoption literature, hitherto unrecognized, is discussed and consequent extensions are suggested.
Participation and returns in rural nonfarm activities: evidence from the Kyrgyz Republic
Authors: Atamanov Aziz , Van den Berg Marrit 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThis article uses two representative household budget surveys from the Kyrgyz Republic to analyze factors influencing participation and returns from different types of nonfarm activities in 2005 and 2006. We use the double hurdle and Heckman models, which allow us to demonstrate that a number of variables has different effects on participation and income from nonfarm activities. For example, residing in remote areas and lack of capital are found to stimulate participation in nonfarm activities, but decrease nonfarm income. Results are robust, but using the Heckman model seems to produce more accurate results for returns to education and gender under the presence of selection bias. Overall, nonfarm activities are found to be most important for the poor, who are pushed out of agriculture due to limited and poor land resources. This indicates that equipping poor households to enable them to move towards better remunerative nonfarm activities should be a priority for Kyrgyz rural policy makers.
Limitations of tissue micro array in Duke's B colon cancer
Authors: Kjaer‐Frifeldt Sanne , Lindebjerg Jan , Brünner Nils , Garm Spindler Karen‐Lise , Jakobsen Anders 
Published: May 2012

Tissue micro array (TMA) is widely used in cancer research in search of new predictive and prognostic markers. Colon cancer is known to be heterogeneous and the present study addresses some methodological aspects using cores of different size and analysing markers with different cellular distribution. We selected 61 paraffin‐embedded tissue blocks representing patients diagnosed with Dukes B colon cancer. Two 1 mm and two 2 mm cores were taken from both the centre and the invasive front of the tumour respectively. The immunostaining included MLH1, MSH2, PMS2, p53, COX‐2, TIMP and Betacatenin. Twenty‐five percent of the cores taken from paraffin blocks less than 0.5 cm was lost and the total loss was 8%. The homogeneous stains (MLH1, MSH2 and PMS2) all showed high agreement between TMA and whole tissue stains (kappa = 0.96,1 and 1 respectively). The COX‐2, p53 and Betacatenin illustrated moderate to high agreement (kappa = 0.54–0.9) whereas TIMP‐1 had the lowest score (kappa 0.19–0.25). The application of TMA in Dukes B colon cancer has several pitfalls and depends substantially on the immunohistochemical marker in question. Therefore a validation study seems justified before applying large scale TMA in this setting.
Human leukocyte antigen‐C and killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptor gene polymorphisms among patients with syphilis in a Chinese Han population
Authors: Zhuang Yun‐Long , Ren Gui‐Jie , Tian Ke‐Li , Li Xin‐Ye , Zhu Yong‐Bao , Liu Jin‐Ling , Si Gui‐Ling , Li Peng , Zhang Yi , Wang Li , Zhang Wen‐Jing , Wang Da‐Jian , Zhu Chuan‐Fu 
Published: May 2012

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum spirochete bacterium. The killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIR), interacting with human leukocyte antigens (HLA), regulate the activations of natural killer (NK) cells and certain T‐cell subsets in response to microbe infection. The objective of this study was to explore whether KIR and HLA‐C gene polymorphisms were associated with syphilis in a Chinese Han population. Polymerase chain reaction with sequence‐specific primers (PCR‐SSP) method was used to genotype KIR and HLA‐C genes in 231 syphilis patients and 247 healthy controls. Framework genes KIR2DL4, KIR3DL2, KIR3DL3 and KIR3DP1 were present in all individuals. The frequencies of KIR2DS3 and KIR3DS1 were higher in syphilis patients than in healthy controls (p = 0.030 and p = 0.038, respectively), while the frequency of KIR2DS5 was higher in healthy controls than in syphilis patients (p = 0.015; OR = 0.575). The homozygote for HLA‐C1 allele (HLA‐C1C1) was more common in controls compared with syphilis patients (p = 0.030; OR = 0.667). The frequency of individuals with HLA‐C1C1 and KIR2DL3 genotype was higher in control group relative to syphilis patient group (p = 0.018; OR = 0.647). These data indicated that KIR2DS3 and KIR3DS1 were more prevalent in syphilis patients than in controls, and that KIR2DS5, HLA‐C1C1 and HLA‐C1C1‐KIR2DL3 were more prevalent in controls than in syphilis patients, respectively. These will require further investigation using functional studies.
Characterization of the decomposition of compounds derived from imidazolidinyl urea in cosmetics and patch test materials
Authors: Doi Takahiro , Takeda Akihiro , Asada Akiko , Kajimura Keiji 
Published: May 2012

Background. Imidazolidinyl urea releases formaldehyde through decomposition. However, there have been few reports on the chemistry of imidazolidinyl urea in cosmetics.Objectives. The aim of this study was to characterize imidazolidinyl urea‐derived compounds in cosmetics and to determine which compounds are responsible for the cross‐reactivity with diazolidinyl urea.Methods. We analysed imidazolidinyl urea dissolved in aqueous solutions, imidazolidinyl urea patch test materials and imidazolidinyl urea‐preserved cosmetics by high‐performance liquid chromatography/photodiode array detection and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. The results were compared with those obtained with a diazolidinyl urea aqueous solution.Results. In the analysed cosmetic samples and patch test materials, imidazolidinyl urea was primarily composed of allantoin, (4‐hydroxymethyl‐2,5‐dioxo‐imidazolidine‐4‐yl)‐urea (HU), (3,4‐bis‐hydroxymethyl‐2,5‐dioxo‐imidazolidine‐4‐yl)‐urea (3,4‐BHU), and (3‐hydroxymethyl‐2,5‐dioxo‐imidazolidine‐4‐yl)‐urea.Conclusions. Two of the imidazolidinyl urea‐derived major decomposition compounds – HU and 3,4‐BHU – are common in the diazolidinyl urea‐decomposed compound present in cosmetics. These compounds are possible causative agents of the cross‐reactivity between diazolidinyl urea and imidazolidinyl urea.
Solution Precursor Plasma Spray Eu: Y2O3 Phosphor Coating
Authors: Chen Dianying , Jordan Eric H. , Renfro Michael W. , Gell Maurice 
Published: May 2012

Using the solution precursor plasma spray process Eu: Y2O3 phosphor coating was deposited. The phase composition, microstructure, and photoluminescent properties of the as‐synthesized powders and as‐deposited coatings were investigated. XRD analysis indicated that the coating is composed of cubic Y2O3. SEM micrographs reveal the as‐sprayed coating is porous with a thickness of ~150 μm. Photoluminescent property measurement indicated that the phosphor coating exhibits the strongest emission at 612 nm, which is assigned to 5D0 → 7F2 electric‐dipole transition.
Effect of Pore Characteristics in Slip Cast Alumina on Glass Infiltration and Mechanical Properties of the Composites
Authors: Bajpai Preeti , Bhargava Parag 
Published: May 2012

Development of alumina/glass composites with minimal residual porosity and superior mechanical properties requires systematic studies on glass infiltration into porous alumina. This work has examined the effect of alumina particle size and the resulting pore size distribution on glass infiltration. Samples were prepared by slip‐casting a coarser alumina powder and blends of the coarse (d50 ~ 3.4 μm) and a finer (d50 ~ 0.7 μm) alumina powder. After presintering (1200°C) and following a single cycle of infiltration (1100°C), the sample with 50:50 (wt%) coarse and fine alumina showed highest flexural strength. Improvement in flexural strength could be imputed to the better glass infiltration.
Large Mammals in an Agroforestry Mosaic in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Authors: Cassano Camila R. , Barlow Jos , Pardini Renata 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe forest‐like characteristics of agroforestry systems create a unique opportunity to combine agricultural production with biodiversity conservation in human‐modified tropical landscapes. The cacao‐growing region in southern Bahia, Brazil, encompasses Atlantic forest remnants and large extensions of agroforests, locally known ascabrucas, and harbors several endemic large mammals. Based on the differences betweencabrucasand forests, we hypothesized that: (1) non‐native and non‐arboreal mammals are more frequent, whereas exclusively arboreal and hunted mammals are less frequent incabrucasthan forests; (2) the two systems differ in mammal assemblage structure, but not in species richness; and (3) mammal assemblage structure is more variable amongcabrucasthan forests. We used camera‐traps to sample mammals in nine pairs ofcabruca‐forest sites. The high conservation value of agroforests was supported by the presence of species of conservation concern incabrucas, and similar species richness and composition between forests andcabrucas. Arboreal species were less frequently recorded, however, and a non‐native and a terrestrial species adapted to open environments (Cerdocyon thous) were more frequently recorded incabrucas. Factors that may overestimate the conservation value ofcabrucasare: the high proportion of total forest cover in the study landscape, the impoverishment of large mammal fauna in forest, and uncertainty about the long‐term maintenance of agroforestry systems. Our results highlight the importance of agroforests and forest remnants for providing connectivity in human‐modified tropical forest landscapes, and the importance of controlling hunting and dogs to increase the value of agroforestry mosaics.
Ecology of Pericopsis elata (Fabaceae), an Endangered Timber Species in Southeastern Cameroon
Authors: Nils Bourland , Lambert Kouadio Yao , Philippe Lejeune , Bonaventure Sonké , Julien Philippart , Kasso Daïnou , Fousséni Fétéké , Jean‐Louis Doucet ,   [A correction to this author affiliation was made after original online publication on 02 July 2012.]
Published: May 2012

AbstractPericopsis elata (Fabaceae) is a tall tree of high commercial value of the moist semi‐deciduous African forests. As a result of decades of logging it is now considered as threatened and listed on the IUCN Red List and CITES Appendix II, even though essential biological parameters controlling its population dynamics remain unknown. This study aims at improving the knowledge of the species' ecological parameters, and at assessing the impact of selective logging on its populations in an 118,052 ha forest in Cameroon. After inventorying the species in 1432 ha, mortality and growth were assessed over continuous 5‐ and 2‐yr periods in unlogged and logged areas, respectively. Phenology was monitored in the unlogged forest during 5 yr. The population structure shows high relative abundance of trees in medium size categories. Mean annual diameter increments in both environments did not differ significantly between unlogged and logged areas. P. elata is a deciduous species that flowers at the end of the main dry season. The minimum reproduction and effective flowering diameters were 32 and 37 cm, respectively. Fruit maturation took place during 7 mo. With a minimum logging diameter of 90 cm, the recovery rate computed over a 30‐yr period was > 100 percent. Selective logging harvested only 12.1 percent of the total number of seed trees and had little influence on the species' biological parameters. Securing sufficient regeneration as a post‐logging action is probably the most important consideration for achieving long‐term sustainability.
Pediatric Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring: Indications and Interpretations
Authors: Flynn Joseph T. , Urbina Elaine M. 
Published: May 2012

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012; 14:372–382. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.The prevalence of hypertension in children and adolescents is increasing, especially in obese and ethnic children. The adverse long‐term effects of hypertension beginning in youth are known; therefore, it is important to identify young patients who need intervention. Unfortunately, measuring blood pressure (BP) is difficult due to the variety of techniques available and innate biologic variation in BP levels. Ambulatory BP monitoring may overcome some of the challenges clinicians face when attempting to categorize a young patient’s BP levels. In this article, the authors review the use of ambulatory BP monitoring in pediatrics, discuss interpretation of ambulatory BP monitoring, and discuss gaps in knowledge in usage of this technique in the management of pediatric hypertension.
Antihypertensive Drug Use By Children: Are the Drugs Labeled and Indicated?
Authors: Welch W. Pete , Yang Wenya , Taylor‐Zapata Perdita , Flynn Joseph T. 
Published: May 2012

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012; 14:388–395. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.As a result of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Modernization Act and the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act, the number of medications with FDA‐approved pediatric labeling has increased. To assess the success of these initiatives, we examined whether antihypertensive drugs used by children with hypertension in 2008 had FDA‐approved pediatric labeling and indications. Using a nationwide commercial insurer database, 2915 children with primary (n=2607) and secondary (n=308) hypertension were identified. Drug user rate and days of supply were calculated from pharmacy claims. Drugs were categorized based on pediatric labeling and indication and whether they were recommended for pediatric use. Antihypertensive drugs were used by 889 (34%) children with primary hypertension and 200 children (65%) with secondary hypertension. User rates were 44.3% in hypertensive children younger than 6 years, 30.9% in those 6 years to older than 12 years, and 38.1% in those 12 years to older than 18 years. Seven percent of drugs were neither labeled for pediatric use nor considered recommended for use in children. In children younger than 6 years, 29% of drugs used were not indicated for use in that age group. Despite recent legislative initiatives, many drugs used by hypertensive children still lack pediatric labeling. Additional efforts are needed to close the gap between the availability of drugs that are labeled and indicated for pediatric use and actual drug usage in children.
A suite of molecular markers for identifying species, detecting introgression and describing population structure in spadefoot toads (Spea spp.)
Authors: PFENNIG KARIN S. , ALLENBY ASHLEY , MARTIN RYAN A. , MONROY ANAÏS , JONES CORBIN D. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractTwo congeneric species of spadefoot toad, Spea multiplicata and Spea bombifrons, have been the focus of hybridization studies since the 1970s. Because complex hybrids are not readily distinguished phenotypically, genetic markers are needed to identify introgressed individuals. We therefore developed a set of molecular markers (amplified fragment length polymorphism, polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism and single nucleotide polymorphism) for identifying pure‐species, F1 hybrids and more complex introgressed types. To do so, we tested a series of markers across both species and known hybrids using populations in both allopatry and sympatry. We retained those markers that differentiated the two pure‐species and also consistently identified known species hybrids. These markers are well suited for identifying hybrids between these species. Moreover, those markers that show variation within each species can be used in conjunction with existing molecular markers in studies of population structure and gene flow.