bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimizing Electrode Placement for Hemodynamic Benefit in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: BABBS CHARLES F. 
Published: July 2012

Background:Research is needed to explore the relative benefits of alternative electrode placements in biventricular and left ventricular (LV) pacing for heart failure with left bundle branch block (LBBB).Methods:A fast computational model of the left ventricle, running on an ordinary laptop computer, was created to simulate the spread of electrical activation over the myocardial surface, together with the resulting electrocardiogram, segmental wall motion, stroke volume, and ejection fraction in the presence of varying degrees of mitral regurgitation. Arbitrary zones of scar and blocked electrical conduction could be modeled.Results:Simulations showed there are both sweet spots and poor spots for LV electrode placement, sometimes separated by only a few centimeters. In heart failure with LBBB, pacing at poor spots can produce little benefit or even reduce pumping effectiveness. Pacing at sweet spots can produce up to 35% improvement in ejection fraction. Relatively larger benefit occurs in dilated hearts, in keeping with the greater disparity between early and late activated muscle. Sweet spots are typically located on the basal to midlevel, inferolateral wall. Poor spots are located on or near the interventricular septum. Anteroapical scar with conduction block causes little shift in locations for optimal pacing. Hearts with increased passive ventricular compliance and absence of preejection mitral regurgitation exhibit greater therapeutic gain. The durations and wave shapes of QRS complexes in the electrocardiogram can help predict optimum electrode placement in real time.Conclusions:Differences between poor responders and hyperresponders to cardiac resynchronization therapy can be understood in terms of basic anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology. Computational modeling suggests general strategies for optimal electrode placement. In a given patient heart size, regional pathology and regional dynamics allow individual pretreatment planning to target optimal electrode placement. (PACE 2012; 35:1135–1145)
Transparent Eu3+‐Doped Ferroelectric Bismuth Titanate Glass‐Ceramic Nanocomposites: Fabrication and Properties
Authors: Molla Atiar Rahaman , Tarafder Anal , Mukherjee Siddhartha , Karmakar Basudeb 
Published: July 2012

Bismuth titanate (Bi4Ti3O12) (BiT), glass is prepared by the melt‐quench technique in the SiO2–K2O–Bi2O3–TiO2 (SKBT) system doping with Eu2O3 and transparent BiT glass‐ceramics (GC) is derived from it by controlled heat‐treatment at 500°C by varying duration. The structural properties of the heat‐treated GC are investigated using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), electron microscopy [Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM)], and fourier transform infrared reflectance spectroscopy. FE‐SEM and TEM images show the formation of polycrystalline spherical particles of 100–200 nm with 10–15 nm crystallites after heat‐treatment. A significant increase in εr value (from 20 to 35) was observed with increase in heat‐treatment time. The transmission losses of GC which happened with heat‐treatment time are due to Rayleigh scattering exhibited by nanocrystallites of BiT. The excitation spectra have been recorded by monitoring emission at 612 nm corresponding to the 5D0 → 7F2 transition and an intense 467 nm excitation band corresponding to the 7F0 → 5D2 has been observed. Emission spectra were recorded by exciting the glass samples at 467 nm. It is observed that with increase in heat‐treatment time, the intensity of red emission at 612 nm increases by 8‐fold, which has happened due to the occupancy of Eu3+ ions in the low phonon energy crystal sites of BiT.
¿Sustituye el trabajo infantil al trabajo de los adultos? Trabajo infantil y enfermedad del adulto en Nepal
Authors: Nepal Apsara , Nepal Mani 
Published: July 2012

Resumen.Con datos de una encuesta oficial de hogares, se verifican el axioma del «lujo» y el axioma de la «sustitución» para explicar el trabajo infantil en Nepal. Ambos parecen confirmarse: a más ingresos per cápita de un hogar, menos horas de trabajo infantil, y cuando los adultos no trabajan por enfermedad, estas horas aumentan. Las niñas trabajan más que los niños. Otros factores que reducen el trabajo infantil son: las becas de estudios, la escolarización en escuelas privadas, el número de hermanos y los años de escolaridad de los adultos. En cambio, un mayor consumo no correlaciona con menos horas de trabajo infantil.
Accuracy of enhancement filters in measuring in vitro peri‐implant bone level
Authors: de Azevedo Vaz Sergio Lins , Neves Frederico Sampaio , Figueirêdo Evandro Portela , Haiter‐Neto Francisco , Campos Paulo Sérgio Flores 
Published: July 2012

AbstractObjectivesTo identify the accuracy of enhancement filters of an intraoral phosphor‐plate system for measuring the simulated peri‐implant bone level.Materials and methodsA total of 20 titanium implants (Titamax®) were placed into six fragments of bovine ribs and defects simulating bone loss were created. Periapical radiographs were taken with a phosphor‐plate system (Vista Scan®) according to the paralleling standard technique, and nine enhancement filters were applied: fine, caries 1, caries 2, perio, endo, noise reduction, invert, emboss, and sculpture. The Friedman test compared the radiographic measurements of the defects to those obtained on the bovine ribs with a digital caliper. Intra‐ and interobserver agreement was calculated with the intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICC).ResultsThe ICC values showed excellent intra‐ and interobserver agreement. The caries1, caries2, endo, and perio filters resulted on measurements statistically different from both the original images and the measurements of the digital caliper (P < 0.05). The other filters did not show statistically significant differences from the original images nor from the measurements of the digital caliper.ConclusionIn addition to the original images, the fine and emboss filters resulted on the most precise measures. The caries1, caries2, endo, and perio filters were the less accurate for measuring the peri‐implant bone level.
Tight junction properties change during epidermis development
Authors: Celli Anna , Zhai Yongjiao , Jiang Yan J , Crumrine Debbie , Elias Peter M , Feingold Kenneth R , Mauro Theodora M 
Published: July 2012

AbstractIn terrestrial animals, the epidermal barrier transitions from covering an organism suspended in a liquid environment in utero, to protecting a terrestrial animal postnatally from air and environmental exposure. Tight junctions (TJ) are essential for establishing the epidermal permeability barrier during embryonic development and modulate normal epidermal development and barrier functions postnatally. We now report that TJ function, as well as claudin‐1 and occludin expression, change in parallel during late epidermal development. Specifically, TJ block the paracellular movement of Lanthanum (La3+) early in rat in vivo prenatal epidermal development, at gestational days 18–19, with concurrent upregulation of claudin‐1 and occludin. TJ then become more permeable to ions and water as the fetus approaches parturition, concomitant with development of the lipid epidermal permeability barrier, at days 20–21. This sequence is recapitulated in cultured human epidermal equivalents (HEE), as assessed both by ultrastructural studies comparing permeation of large and small molecules and by the standard electrophysiologic parameter of resistance (R), suggesting further that this pattern of development is intrinsic to mammalian epidermal development. These findings demonstrate that the role of TJ changes during epidermal development, and further suggest that the TJ‐based and lipid‐based epidermal permeability barriers are interdependent.
Low tolerance of New Caledonian secondary forest species to savanna fires
Authors: Ibanez Thomas , Curt Thomas , Hely Christelle 
Published: July 2012

AbstractQuestionsHow do early secondary successional forest species that grow in savannas differ in their tolerance to surface fires? What are the consequences of these fire tolerances for savanna–forest dynamics and landscape management?LocationAnthropogenic savannas in the New Caledonian biodiversity hotspot (SW Pacific).MethodsWe estimated the range of fire intensity in New Caledonian savannas using field survey of fuels and the BehavePlus fire behaviour model. Within the predicted range of fire line intensity, we assessed theoretical fire injury to the cambium and crown for 11 species: the dominant tree of New Caledonian savannas (Melaleuca quinquenervia) and early secondary successional forest species. Using empirical models, for each species we estimated cambium damage from depth of necrosis (as a function of fire line intensity and fire residence time) and bark thickness, and crown damage from scorch height (as a function of fire line intensity) and tree height. We compared bark thickness and tree height increment patterns among species as well as species potential fire tolerance.ResultsThe 11 species had very contrasting capacity to avoid fire injury to the bole cambium due to differences in bark investment patterns, but were all very exposed to scorching and crown injury. Overall, most of sampled individuals are likely top‐killed by low intensity fires (<1000 kW·m−1), which are frequent according to our simulations.ConclusionsThe early secondary successional forest species growing in New Caledonian savannas are poorly adapted to fire, in comparison with literature on worldwide trees in savannas. As a result, their juveniles are unlikely to reach adult size in fire‐prone areas. Restoration using the most fire‐tolerant species and fire prevention may be complementary strategies to manage such tropical landscapes in order to conserve biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Using CT or MRI to assess locoregional spread to determine the radiotherapy target of hypopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: WU Zheng , DENG Xue‐Ying , ZENG Rui‐Fang , SU Yong , GU Mo‐Fa , ZHANG Yun , XIE Chuan‐Miao , ZHENG Lie 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAim:  To identify the locoregional extension of hypopharyngeal carcinoma (HPC), particularly the invasion of the nasopharynx and skull base, and metastasis of level VI and retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) by investigating computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) images; together with the radiotherapy target of HPC.Methods:  CT and MR images of 186 patients with pathologically confirmed HPC between Aug 2000 and Dec 2010 were analyzed retrospectively. We used the χ2 test and logistic regression to analyze local invasion and regional spread and to determine their relationships.Results:  Of the 186 patients, there was only one case of invasion of the nasopharynx without skull base involvement. The rate of regional node metastasis was 79%. There was no significant relationship between T stage and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.1). Level IV metastasis (P = 0.001), RPLN metastasis (P = 0.041) and esophageal invasion (P = 0.003) were significantly correlated with level VI metastasis. Primary tumor subsite (P = 0.024), bilateral cervical node metastasis (P < 0.001) and size of cervical nodes (P = 0.01) significantly contributed to the occurrence of RPLN metastasis.Conclusion:  The locoregional spread of HPC occurs via certain routes. It is potentially unnecessary to routinely and prophylactically irradiate the nasopharynx and skull base. Patients with early stage HPC should receive bilateral cervical prophylactic irradiation. The decision regarding the administration of prophylactic irradiation to the level VI and RPLN areas should be according to the relative risk factors.
Prognostic factors and clinical outcomes in synovial sarcoma of the extremities
Authors: Wisanuyotin Taweechok , Radapat Krisana , Sirichativapee Winai , Paholpak Permsak , Kosuwon Weerachai , Sumnanoont Chat , Jeeravipoolvarn Polasak 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAimsTo evaluate the clinical outcomes and identify which prognostic factors influence the clinical outcomes of synovial sarcoma patients at a tertiary university hospital in Thailand.MethodsPatients with synovial sarcoma of the extremities between 1997 and 2007 were reviewed from the database of the Musculoskeletal Oncology Unit, Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.ResultsOf 41 patients, 23 males (56%) and 18 females (44%) with a median age of 39 (range, 1–78 years), 18 (44%) had metastasis at the first diagnosis and 23 (56%) had only a localized tumor. The 5‐year overall survival of all the patients was 36%; 64% in patients with localized disease and 0% in patients with metastasis at first diagnosis. In all 23 patients (56%) died of the disease at a median duration of 11 months (range 3–47 months). All patients with metastases died at a median 9 months (range 1–41 months). Metastasis at first diagnosis influenced overall survival for patients with synovial sarcoma (P < 0.001). According to a univariate analysis, the significant adverse factors were biphasic histological subtype and an inadequate surgical margin of the definitive surgery (P < 0.05).ConclusionSynovial sarcoma is still a disease with a poor prognosis. Distant metastasis at initial diagnosis is a significant adverse prognostic factor for overall survival. A biphasic histological subtype and an inadequate surgical margin are significant adverse prognostic factors in localized synovial sarcoma.
Changes in Stress and Coping During Late Childhood and Preadolescence
Authors: Rew Lynn , Principe Connor , Hannah Dana 
Published: July 2012

PROBLEM: Little is known about what produces stress in preadolescents.METHODS: Secondary data analysis using hierarchical linear modeling was performed to determine how stressors and coping changed over time in 1,568 preadolescents (51% Hispanic) in 28 public schools.FINDINGS: Over time, participants experienced most stressors less intensely, but intensity varied by gender. Children in lower grades and girls found that coping strategies used were more effective compared with those in upper grades or boys. There were several interactions of grade level, sex, and ethnicity.CONCLUSION: Changes in stress and coping among preadolescents have implications for nurses concerned with mental health.
A LARGE‐SCALE EXPERIMENTAL COMPARISON OF THE TETRAD AND TRIANGLE TESTS IN CHILDREN
Authors: GARCIA KAREN , ENNIS JOHN M. , PRINYAWIWATKUL WITOON 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACTInterest in the Tetrad test as an alternative to the Triangle test is growing as theoretical results indicate that the Tetrad test has relatively high power for an unspecified method. But a large‐scale experimental comparison of the Tetrad test with the Triangle test for the same stimuli has not yet appeared in the sensory literature. In this paper, we report results from such a large scale comparison, with the addition that the testing was conducted with children. This comparison is important as the presence of a fourth stimulus in the Tetrad test could lead to reduced effect sizes due to sensory fatigue, adaptation and memory effects. Using Thurstonian analysis, we quantify this reduction in effect size and we apply a recently developed guideline to show that the Tetrad test remains more powerful than the Triangle test in this setting, even with the reduction in effect size.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThis paper demonstrates that the Tetrad test is a superior alternative to the Triangle test in at least one practical setting. More generally, this paper serves as a template for sensory researchers who might replace Triangle testing with Tetrad testing within their discrimination testing programs. Using the analytic methods outlined in this paper, researchers can quantify the increase in perceptual noise caused by the addition of a fourth stimulus.
Muscle mass and peripheral fatigue: a potential role for afferent feedback?
Authors: Rossman M. J. , Venturelli M. , McDaniel J. , Amann M. , Richardson R. S. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAimThe voluntary termination of exercise has been hypothesized to occur at a sensory tolerance limit, which is affected by feedback from group III and IV muscle afferents, and is associated with a specific level of peripheral quadriceps fatigue during whole body cycling. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to reduce the amount of muscle mass engaged during dynamic leg exercise to constrain the source of muscle afferent feedback to the central nervous system (CNS) and examine the effect on peripheral quadriceps fatigue.MethodEight young males performed exhaustive large (cycling – BIKE) and small (knee extensor – KE) muscle mass dynamic exercise at 85% of the modality‐specific maximal workload. Pre‐ vs. post‐exercise maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) and supramaximal magnetic femoral nerve stimulation (Qtw,pot) were used to quantify peripheral quadriceps fatigue.ResultSignificant quadriceps fatigue was evident following both exercise trials; however, the exercise‐induced changes in MVC (−28 ± 1% vs. −16 ± 2%) and Qtw,pot (−53 ± 2% vs. −34 ± 2%) were far greater following KE compared to BIKE exercise, respectively. The greater degree of quadriceps fatigue following KE exercise was in proportion to the greater exercise time (9.1 ± 0.4 vs. 6.3 ± 0.5 min, P < 0.05), suggestive of a similar rate of peripheral fatigue development.ConclusionThese data suggest that when the source of skeletal muscle afferent feedback is confined to a small muscle mass, the CNS tolerates a greater magnitude of peripheral fatigue and likely a greater intramuscular metabolic disturbance. An important implication of this finding is that the adoption of small muscle mass exercise may facilitate greater exercise‐induced muscular adaptation.
A taxonomic review of the tribe Physorhinini Candèze, 1895 (Coleoptera, Elateridae) in Korea, with description of female of Anchastelater shaanxiensis Schimmel, 2007
Authors: Han Taeman , Lee Hodan , Lee Hae Ju , Park Hae Chul , Lee Seunghwan , Lee Young Bo 
Published: July 2012

AbstractWe reviewed the Korean species belonging to the tribe Physorhinini of the subfamily Elaterinae. Anchastelater shaanxiensis Schimmel, 2007 is recorded for the first time in Korea. We provide diagnosis criteria for the species of the tribe Physorhinini and of the genus Anchastelater, as well as a description, and illustrations of the female A. shaanxiensis. The first Korean record of Physorhinini based on the male Anchastus aquilis[!] Candèze, 1873 was found to be a misidentification of Neopsephus sp. in the tribe Dicrepidiini and it is therefore proposed to exclude from the Korean fauna.
Geochemical Characteristics and Metallogenesis of the Qingkuangshan Ni‐Cu‐PGE Mineralized Mafic‐Ultramafic Intrusion in Huili County, Sichuan Province, SW China
Authors: Feilin ZHU , Yan TAO , Ruizhong HU , Yansheng MA 
Published: July 2012

Abstract:The Qingkuangshan Ni‐Cu‐PGE deposit, located in the Xiaoguanhe region of Huili County, Sichuan Province, is one of several Ni‐Cu‐PGE deposits in the Emeishan Large Igneous Province (ELIP). The ore‐bearing intrusion is a mafic‐ultramafic body. This paper reports major elements, trace elements and platinum‐group elements in different types of rocks and sulfide‐mineralized samples in the intrusion. These data are used to evaluate the source mantle characteristics, the degree of mantle partial melting, the composition of parental magma and the ore‐forming processes. The results show that Qingkuangshan intrusion is part of the ELIP. The rocks have trace element ratios similar to the coeval Emeishan basalts. The primitive mantle‐normalized patterns of Ni‐Cu‐PGE have positive slopes, and the ratios of Pd/Ir are lower than 22. The PGE compositions of sulfide ores and associated rocks are characterized by Ru depletion. The PGE contents in bulk sulfides are slightly depleted relative to Ni and Cu, which is similar to the Yangliuping Ni‐Cu‐PGE deposit. The composition of the parental magma for the intrusion is estimated to contain about 14.65 wt% MgO, 48.66 wt% SiO2 and 15.48 wt% FeOt, and the degree of mantle partial melting is estimated to be about 20%. In comparison with other typical Ni‐Cu‐PGE deposits in the ELIP, the Qingkuangshan Ni‐Cu‐PGE deposit has lower PGE contents than the Jinbaoshan PGE deposit, but has higher PGE contents than the Limahe and Baimazhai Ni‐Cu deposit, and has similar PGE contents to the Yangliuping Ni‐Cu‐PGE deposit. The moderate PGE depletions in the bulk sulfide of the Qingkuanghan deposit suggest that the parental magma of the host intrusion may have undergone minor sulfide segregation at depth. The mixing calculations suggests that an average of 10% crustal contamination in the magma, which may have been the main cause of sulfide saturation in the magma. We propose that sulfide segregation from a moderately PGE depleted magma took place prior to magma emplacement at Qingkuangshan, that small amounts of immiscible sulfide droplets and olivine and chromite crystals were suspended in the ascending magma, and that the suspended materials settled down when the magma passed trough the Qingkuangshan conduit. The Qingkuangshan sulfide‐bearing intrusion is interpreted to a feeder of Emeishan flood basalts in the region.
Clinical characteristics of 150 consecutive fibromyalgia patients attending an Australian public hospital clinic
Authors: Guymer Emma K. , Maruff Paul , Littlejohn Geoffrey O. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAimTo describe clinical characteristics of fibromyalgia in an Australian population.MethodData was collected from 150 consecutive patients with clinical features of fibromyalgia seen in an Australian public hospital clinic. Demographic information and clinical characteristics were recorded. Significant correlations between clinical characteristics were identified, then used in multiple regression analyses to identify factors influencing outcome in physical function, pain, fatigue and sleep disturbance. Clinical features in groups who were or were not using different treatment strategies were compared.ResultsMost patients were female and Caucasian. The majority reported a recognizable trigger factor and many had associated conditions, most commonly headache and irritable bowel syndrome. Physical function was significantly accounted for by pain levels (P = 0.001); pain score was significantly predicted by tenderness (P = 0.002) and physical function level (P = 0.001); fatigue levels were significantly influenced by age (P = 0.007) and sleep disturbance (P < 0.001), and sleep disturbance was significantly predicted by fatigue (P < 0.001). Just over one‐third (34%) of patients were using fibromyalgia medications (low‐dose tricyclic antidepressant, pregabalin or duloxetine); however, they had less anxiety (P = 0.006) and better reported physical function (P = 0.04) than those who were not. Less than half (43.6%) of the patients were regularly exercising; however, they had reduced overall illness impact scores (P = 0.004), better physical function (P = 0.01) and less fatigue (P = 0.03), anxiety (P = 0.02) and depressive features (P = 0.008) than non‐exercisers.ConclusionBaseline clinical characteristics in this group were comparable to other study populations. The use of management modalities with proven benefit in fibromyalgia was limited; however, those patients who were engaged in regular exercise or using medication had better self‐reported outcome measures than those who were not.