bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of using a World Health Organization-standard methodology for Sample Vital Registration with Verbal Autopsy (SAVVY) to report leading causes of death in Zambia: results of a pilot in four provinces, 2010
Authors: Mudenda Sheila S , Kamocha Stanley , Mswia Robert , Conkling Martha , Sikanyiti Palver , Potter Dara , Mayaka William C , Marx Melissa A 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
Verbal autopsy (VA) can be used to describe leading causes of death in countries like Zambia where vital events registration does not produce usable data. The objectives of this study were to assess the feasibility of using verbal autopsy to determine age-, sex-, and cause-specific mortality in a community-based setting in Zambia and to estimate overall age-, sex-, and cause-specific mortality in the four provinces sampled.

Methods
A dedicated census was conducted in regions of four provinces chosen by cluster-sampling methods in January 2010. Deaths in the 12-month period prior to the census were identified during the census. Subsequently, trained field staff conducted verbal autopsy interviews with caregivers or close relatives of the deceased using structured and unstructured questionnaires. Additional deaths were identified and respondents were interviewed during 12 months of fieldwork. After the interviews, two physicians independently reviewed each VA questionnaire to determine a probable cause of death.

Results
Among the four provinces (1,056 total deaths) assessed, all-cause mortality rate was 17.2 per 1,000 person-years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 12.4, 22). The seven leading causes of death were HIV/AIDS (287, 27%), malaria (111, 10%), injuries and accidents (81, 8%), diseases of the circulatory system (75, 7%), malnutrition (58, 6%), pneumonia (56, 5%), and tuberculosis (50, 5%). Those who died were more likely to be male, have less than or equal to a primary education, and be unmarried, widowed, or divorced compared to the baseline population. Nearly half (49%) of all reported deaths occurred at home.

Conclusions
The 17.2 per 1,000 all-cause mortality rate is somewhat similar to modeled country estimates. The leading causes of death -- HIV/AIDS, malaria, injuries, circulatory diseases, and malnutrition -- reflected causes similar to those reported for the African region and by other countries in the region. Results can enable the targeting of interventions by region, disease, and population to reduce preventable death. Collecting vital statistics using standardized Sample Vital Registration with Verbal Autopsy (SAVVY) methods appears feasible in Zambia. If conducted regularly, these data can be used to evaluate trends in estimated causes of death over time.
A novel synthetic quantification standard including virus and internal report targets: application for the detection and quantification of emerging begomoviruses on tomato
Authors: Péréfarres Frédéric , Hoareau Murielle , Chiroleu Frédéric , Reynaud Bernard , Dintinger Jacques , Lett Jean-Michel 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
Begomovirus is a genus of phytopathogenic single-stranded DNA viruses, transmitted by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci. This genus includes emerging and economically significant viruses such as those associated with Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Disease, for which diagnostic tools are needed to prevent dispersion and new introductions. Five real-time PCRs with an internal tomato reporter gene were developed for accurate detection and quantification of monopartite begomoviruses, including two strains of the Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV; Mld and IL strains), the Tomato leaf curl Comoros virus-like viruses (ToLCKMV-like viruses) and the two molecules of the bipartite Potato yellow mosaic virus. These diagnostic tools have a unique standard quantification, comprising the targeted viral and internal report amplicons. These duplex real-time PCRs were applied to artificially inoculated plants to monitor and compare their viral development.

Results
Real-time PCRs were optimized for accurate detection and quantification over a range of 2 × 109 to 2 × 103 copies of genomic viral DNA/μL for TYLCV-Mld, TYLCV-IL and PYMV-B and 2 × 108 to 2 × 103 copies of genomic viral DNA/μL for PYMV-A and ToLCKMV-like viruses. These real-time PCRs were applied to artificially inoculated plants and viral loads were compared at 10, 20 and 30 days post-inoculation. Different patterns of viral accumulation were observed between the bipartite and the monopartite begomoviruses. Interestingly, PYMV accumulated more viral DNA at each date for both genomic components compared to all the monopartite viruses. Also, PYMV reached its highest viral load at 10 dpi contrary to the other viruses (20 dpi). The accumulation kinetics of the two strains of emergent TYLCV differed from the ToLCKMV-like viruses in the higher quantities of viral DNA produced in the early phase of the infection and in the shorter time to reach this peak viral load.

Conclusions
To detect and quantify a wide range of begomoviruses, five duplex real-time PCRs were developed in association with a novel strategy for the quantification standard. These assays should be of a great interest for breeding programs and epidemiological surveys to monitor viral populations.
Multi-equilibrium property of metabolic networks: SSI module
Authors: Lei Hong-Bo , Zhang Ji-Feng , Chen Luonan 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
Revealing the multi-equilibrium property of a metabolic network is a fundamental and important topic in systems biology. Due to the complexity of the metabolic network, it is generally a difficult task to study the problem as a whole from both analytical and numerical viewpoint. On the other hand, the structure-oriented modularization idea is a good choice to overcome such a difficulty, i.e. decomposing the network into several basic building blocks and then studying the whole network through investigating the dynamical characteristics of the basic building blocks and their interactions. Single substrate and single product with inhibition (SSI) metabolic module is one type of the basic building blocks of metabolic networks, and its multi-equilibrium property has important influence on that of the whole metabolic networks.

Results
In this paper, we describe what the SSI metabolic module is, characterize the rates of the metabolic reactions by Hill kinetics and give a unified model for SSI modules by using a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations with multi-variables. Specifically, a sufficient and necessary condition is first given to describe the injectivity of a class of nonlinear systems, and then, the sufficient condition is used to study the multi-equilibrium property of SSI modules. As a main theoretical result, for the SSI modules in which each reaction has no more than one inhibitor, a sufficient condition is derived to rule out multiple equilibria, i.e. the Jacobian matrix of its rate function is nonsingular everywhere.

Conclusions
In summary, we describe SSI modules and give a general modeling framework based on Hill kinetics, and provide a sufficient condition for ruling out multiple equilibria of a key type of SSI module.
Improvement of pain and regional osteoporotic changes in the foot and ankle by low-dose bisphosphonate therapy for complex regional pain syndrome type I: a case series
Authors: Abe Yasuhisa , Iba Kousuke , Takada Junichi , Wada Takuro , Yamashita Toshihiko 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Introduction
Complex regional pain syndrome is characterized by pain, allodynia, hyperalgesia, edema, signs of vasomotor instability, movement disorders, joint stiffness, and regional osteopenia. It is recognized to be difficult to treat, despite various methods of treatment, including physiotherapy, calcitonin, corticosteroids, sympathetic blockade, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Pathophysiologically, complex regional pain syndrome reveals enhanced regional bone resorption and high bone turnover, and so bisphosphonates, which have a potent inhibitory effect on bone resorption, were proposed for the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome.

Case presentation
A 48-year-old Japanese man with complex regional pain syndrome type I had severe right ankle pain with a visual analog scale score of 59 out of 100 regardless of treatment with physiotherapy and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for five months. Radiographs showed marked regional osteoporotic changes and bone scintigraphy revealed a marked increase in radioactivity in his ankle. One month after the start of oral administration of risedronate (2.5 mg per day), his bone pain had fallen from a VAS score of 59 out of 100 to 18 out of 100. Bone scintigraphy at 12 months showed a marked reduction in radioactivity to a level comparable to that in his normal, left ankle. On the basis of these results, the treatment was discontinued at 15 months. At 32 months, our patient had almost no pain and radiographic findings revealed that the regional osteoporotic change had returned to normal.
A second 48-year-old Japanese man with complex regional pain syndrome type I had severe right foot pain with a visual analog scale score of 83 out of 100 regardless of treatment with physiotherapy and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for nine months. Radiographs showed regional osteoporotic change in his phalanges, metatarsals, and tarsals, and bone scintigraphy revealed a marked increase in radioactivity in his foot. One month after the start of oral administration of alendronate (35 mg per week), his bone pain had fallen from a visual analog scale score of 83 out of 100 to 30 out of 100 and, at nine months, was further reduced to 3 out of 100. The treatment was discontinued at 15 months because of successful pain reduction. At 30 months, our patient had no pain and the radiographic findings revealed marked improvement in regional osteoporotic changes.

Conclusions
We believe low-dose oral administration of bisphosphonate is worth considering for the treatment of idiopathic complex regional pain syndrome type I accompanied by regional osteoporotic change.
Differentiation and fiber type-specific activity of a muscle creatine kinase intronic enhancer
Authors: Tai Phillip WL , Fisher-Aylor Katherine I , Himeda Charis L , Smith Catherine L , MacKenzie Alexandra P , Helterline Deri L , Angello John C , Welikson Robert E , Wold Barbara J , Hauschka Stephen D 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBackgroundHundreds of genes, including muscle creatine kinase (MCK), are differentially expressed in fast- and slow-twitch muscle fibers, but the fiber type-specific regulatory mechanisms are not well understood.ResultsModulatory region 1 (MR1) is a 1-kb regulatory region withinMCKintron 1 that is highly active in terminally differentiating skeletal myocytesin vitro. AMCKsmall intronic enhancer (MCK-SIE) containing a paired E-box/myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) regulatory motif resides within MR1. The SIE's transcriptional activity equals that of the extensively characterized 206-bpMCK5'-enhancer, but theMCK-SIE is flanked by regions that can repress its activity via the individual and combined effects of about 15 different but highly conserved 9- to 24-bp sequences. ChIP and ChIP-Seq analyses indicate that the SIE and theMCK5'-enhancer are occupied by MyoD, myogenin and MEF2. Many other E-boxes located within or immediately adjacent to intron 1 are not occupied by MyoD or myogenin. Transgenic analysis of a 6.5-kbMCKgenomic fragment containing the 5'-enhancer and proximal promoter plus the 3.2-kb intron 1, with and without MR1, indicates that MR1 is critical forMCKexpression in slow- and intermediate-twitch muscle fibers (types I and IIa, respectively), but is not required for expression in fast-twitch muscle fibers (types IIb and IId).ConclusionsIn this study, we discovered that MR1 is critical forMCKexpression in slow- and intermediate-twitch muscle fibers and that MR1's positive transcriptional activity depends on a paired E-box MEF2 site motif within a SIE. This is the first study to delineate the DNA controls forMCKexpression in different skeletal muscle fiber types.
Pre-conception inter-pregnancy interval and risk of schizophrenia
Authors: Gunawardana Lihini , Smith George Davey , Zammit Stanley , Whitley Elise , Gunnell David , Lewis Sarah , Rasmussen Finn 
Published: August 2011

SummaryIt is hypothesised that the risk of schizophrenia may be elevated in children conceived following a short interpregnancy interval, when maternal folate stores are still being replenished. We examined the relationship between inter-pregnancy interval and schizophrenia risk in a longitudinal, population-based cohort. Risk of schizophrenia was increased by approximately 150% in those born following a pregnancy interval of $6 months, but was not increased if the interval after birth of the participant, before conception of the subsequent sibling, was $6 months. These findings support the hypothesis that folate (or other micronutrient) deficiency during fetal development may be an important risk factor for schizophrenia.
Cyclical Bid Adjustments in Search-Engine Advertising
Authors: Zhang Xiaoquan (Michael) , Feng Juan 
Published: August 2011

Keyword advertising, or sponsored search, is one of the most successful advertising models on the Internet. One distinctive feature of keyword auctions is that they enable advertisers to adjust their bids and rankings dynamically, and the payoffs are realized in real time. We capture this unique feature with a dynamic model and identify an equilibrium bidding strategy. We find that under certain conditions, advertisers may engage in cyclical bid adjustments, and equilibrium bidding prices may follow a cyclical pattern: price-escalating phases interrupted by price-collapsing phases, similar to an “Edgeworth cycle” in the context of dynamic price competitions. Such cyclical bidding patterns can take place in both first- and second-price auctions. We obtain two data sets containing detailed bidding records of all advertisers for a sample of keywords in two leading search engines. Our empirical framework, based on a Markov switching regression model, suggests the existence of such cyclical bidding strategies. The cyclical bid-updating behavior we find cannot be easily explained with static models. This paper emphasizes the importance of adopting a dynamic perspective in studying equilibrium outcomes of keyword auctions. This paper was accepted by Pradeep Chintagunta and Preyas Desai, special issue editors. This paper was accepted by Pradeep Chintagunta and Preyas Desai, special issue editors.
Possible Oseltamivir-Induced Angioedema in a Patient with Chronic Renal Failure
Authors: Callen Erin C. , Kessler Tiffany L. , Peace Jason F. 
Published: August 2011

Objective To report a case of angioedema possibly associated with oseltamivir administration in a patient with chronic renal failure. Case Summary A 46-year-old female with an extensive allergy history and multiple co-morbidities, including chronic renal failure, was diagnosed with H1N1 influenza and given prescriptions for oseltamivir and methylprednisolone at an outside emergency department. She was sent home and took the first dose of both medications. The following day, the patient developed tongue swelling and left-sided edema. She discontinued methylprednisolone but continued oseltamivir. Her symptoms continued to worsen with the development of hivelike lesions and significant shortness of breath leading to hospitalization. Upon admission, oseltamivir was discontinued and the patient was started on dialysis. The patient's symptoms gradually improved, and she was discharged on hospital day 8. Discussion Oseltamivir was thought to be the causative agent due to the abrupt onset and resolution of symptoms associated with the administration and discontinuation of the medication. Application of the Naranjo probability scale found that oseltamivir was a possible cause of the patient's angioedema. Conclusion Health care providers should be aware of the rare but potentially life-threatening angioedema that may be associated with oseltamivir use.
Clopidogrel pharmacogenetics: metabolism and drug interactions
Authors: Close Sandra L. 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
The thienopyridine, clopidogrel bisulfate (clopidogrel), is the most widely prescribed antiplatelet therapy in the world. Clopidogrel, alone or in conjunction with aspirin as part of a dual antiplatelet therapy regimen, is the standard of care for reducing ischemic events in patients with acute coronary syndrome, recent myocardial infarction, recent stroke, or established peripheral artery disease. Initially approved for use in 1997, the label was updated by both the USA Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency in 2009 to include information regarding cytochrome P450 (CYP) genotype status and concomitant proton pump inhibitor use. Labeling warns of reduced effectiveness in those with impaired CYP2C19 function and to avoid concomitant clopidogrel use with drugs that are strong or moderate CYP2C19 inhibitors, such as omeprazole. The interpretation of this warning and the implementation in clinical practice is not without controversy. The following review provides a summary of the published evidence regarding CYP2C19 function, both genotype status and drug inhibition from concomitant proton pump inhibitors use, and response to clopidogrel.
Regularization and error estimate for a spherically symmetric backward heat equation
Authors: Cheng Wei , Fu Chu-Li , Qin Feng-Juan 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
In this paper, we consider an inverse time problem for a spherically symmetric heat equation. The problem is ill-posed. A spectral method is applied to formulate a regularized solution which is stably convergent to the exact ones. A quite sharp error estimate for the regularized solution is obtained with suitable choice of regularization parameter.
Determination of sets with positive reach by their projection type images
Authors: Golubyatnikov Vladimir , Rovenski Vladimir 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
We introduce new classes of sets extending the class of convex bodies. We show strong inclusions between these classes of bodies. In the case of bodies in Euclidean spaces, we obtain a new characterization of sets with positive reach, prove the Helly type theorem for them, and find applications to geometric tomography. We investigate the problem of determination of sets with positive reach by their projection-type images, and generalize corresponding stability theorems by H. Groemer.
On a finite asymptotic integral transform
Authors: Haidar Nassar H. S. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractWe report on solving the inverse problem of finding the kernel of an asymptotic singular integral operator under which monomial signals that are compactly supported over the closed unit interval [0, 1–] are asymptotic generalized fixed points over the semi-closed unit interval (0, 1]. This operator defines a certain Even-Hilbert Riemann–Lebesgue transformation with a kernel that is double parameterized over a certain momentum Hilbert space. The inversion of this singular transformation is proved to be in the form of an associated Odd-Hilbert Riemann–Lebesgue transformation. The paper contains also proofs for a number of operational properties of this transform, with an identified area for potential applicability in solving certain functional initial-value problems.
Mechanical and microstructural properties of polystyrene based composites: positron lifetime spectroscopic and DSC studies
Authors: Altaweel Abdullah Mohammed Ali Mohammed , Raj Jaya Madhu , Chandrashekara Malalvalli Nagarajaiah , Ramya Puttegowda , Sampathkumaran Parthasarathy , Ranganathaiah Chikkakuntappa 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
Polystyrene (PS) based composites respectively with cenosphere (CS) and calcium aluminosilicate (CAS) as fillers were studied using the positron lifetime technique to reveal the correlation between free volume, a microstructural property, and mechanical properties of the composites (tensile strength and tensile modulus). The thermal stability of the composites was determined using differential scanning calorimetry. The results showed that addition of CAS filler lead to a significant improvement in the mechanical properties of the composite, whereas addition of CS resulted in improvement in tensile modulus only. Both PS/CAS and PS/CS composites showed enhancement in thermal stability compared with that of the pure PS matrix. The positron results showed that the average free volume size for the PS/CAS composite (at 40 phr CAS) was reduced significantly compared with that of the pure PS. These results are understood in terms of the influence of silica content, filler-matrix interaction, and particle size.
Complex permittivity measurements of RF plasma polymerized polyterpenol organic thin films employing split post dielectric resonator
Authors: Bazaka Kateryna , Jacob Mohan V. 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
In the fields of organic electronics and biotechnology, applications for organic polymer thin films fabricated using low-temperature non-equilibrium plasma techniques are gaining significant attention because of the physical and chemical stability of thin films and the low cost of production. Polymer thin films were fabricated from non-synthetic terpinen-4-ol using radiofrequency polymerization (13.56 MHz) on low loss dielectric substrates and their permittivity properties were ascertained to determine potential applications for these organic films. Real and imaginary parts of permittivity as a function of frequency were measured using the variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometer. The real part of permittivity (k) was found to be between 2.34 and 2.65 in the wavelength region of 400–1100 nm, indicating a potential low-k material. These permittivity values were confirmed at microwave frequencies. Dielectric properties of polyterpenol films were measured by means of split post dielectric resonators (SPDRs) operating at frequencies of 10 GHz and 20 GHz. Permittivity increased for samples deposited at higher RF energy – from 2.65 (25 W) to 2.83 (75 W) measured by a 20-GHz SPDR and from 2.32 (25 W) to 2.53 (100 W) obtained using a 10-GHz SPDR. The error in permittivity measurement was predominantly attributed to the uncertainty in film thickness measurement.
Chemical and physical properties of self-crosslinked poly(vinyl chloride)/nitrile rubber nanocomposites prepared by melt-mixing process
Authors: Esmizadeh Elnaz , Naderi Ghasem , Ghoreishy Mir Hamid Reza , Bakhshandeh Gholam Reza 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
In this article, poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR)/clay nanocomposites were melt-mixed using the computerized Brabender plasticorder. During preparation of the nanocomposites self-crosslinking (crosslinking without aid of any crosslinking agent) occurs and affects all properties of a sample. The extent of crosslinking reaction depends on the processing temperature, rotor speed and mixing temperature and it increased with increasing each of mixing parameters. The mechanism of the self-crosslinking reaction was examined by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy test. The morphology of the materials was characterized using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. The swelling test and tensile test were applied to distinguish the effects of self-crosslinking phenomena on physical properties of NBR/PVC nanocomposites. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis tests of nanocomposites were also performed to study the physical properties, such as glass transition temperature (T
g). The results showed that the crosslinking reaction made a material more strong with high modulus and tensile strength. Thus, it can be deduced that crosslinks convert the NBR/PVC nanocomposites to stiffer materials that are less penetrable by the solvent. The results drawn from the loss tangent (tan δ) curves of nanocomposite samples can be used as further evidence for the above conclusions.