bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bayesian approaches for comparative effectiveness research
Authors: Berry Donald A 
Published: August 2011

Background A hallmark of comparative effectiveness research is the analysis of all the available evidence from different studies addressing a given question of medical risk versus benefit. The Bayesian statistical approach is ideally suited for such investigations because it is inherently synthetic and because it is philosophically uninhibited regarding the ability to analyze all the available evidence. Purpose To consider a variety of comparative effectiveness research settings and show how the Bayesian approach applies. Methods The Bayesian approach is described as it has been applied to the comparative analysis of implantable cardioverter defibrillators and mammographic screening, in the Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network, in comparisons of patient outcomes data from different sources, and in designing adaptive clinical trials to support the development of ‘personalized medicine.’ Results Bayesian methods allow for continued learning as data accrue and for cumulating meta-analyses and the comparison of heterogeneous studies. Bayesian methods enable predictive probability distributions of the results of future studies. Limitations Bayesian posterior distributions are subject to potential bias – in the selection of ‘available’ evidence and in the choice of a likelihood model. Sensitivity analyses help to control this bias. Conclusions The Bayesian approach has much to offer comparative effectiveness research. It provides a mechanism for synthesizing various sources of information and for updating knowledge in an online fashion as evidence accumulates.
Challenges to accrual predictions to phase III cancer clinical trials: a survey of study chairs and lead statisticians of 248 NCI-sponsored trials
Authors: Schroen Anneke T , Petroni Gina R , Wang Hongkun , Thielen Monika J , Sargent Daniel , Benedetti Jacqueline K , Cronin Walter M , Wickerham Donald L , Wang Xiaofei F , Gray Robert , Cohn Wendy F , Slingluff Craig L , Djulbegovic Benjamin 
Published: August 2011

Background Research on barriers to accrual has typically emphasized factors influencing participation after trial activation. Purpose We sought to identify factors influencing trial design and accrual predictions prior to trial activation associated with sufficient accrual. Methods A 30-question web-based survey was sent to the study chair and lead statistician for all 248 phase III trials open in 1993–2002 by five Clinical Trials Cooperative Groups. Questions addressed prior trial experience, trial design elements, accrual predictions, and perceived accrual influences. Accrual sufficiency categorization was derived from Clinical Trials Cooperative Group records: sufficient accrual included trials closed with complete accrual or at interim analysis, insufficient accrual included trials closed with inadequate accrual. Responses were analyzed by respondent role (study chair/lead statistician) and accrual sufficiency. Results Three hundred and nine eligible responses were included (response rate, 63%; lead statisticians, 81%; and study chairs, 45%), representing trials with sufficient (63%) and insufficient accruals (37%). Study chair seniority or lead statistician experience was not linked to accrual sufficiency. Literature review, study chair's personal experience, and expert opinion within Clinical Trials Cooperative Group most commonly influenced control arm selection. Clinical Trials Cooperative Group experience most influenced accrual predictions. These influences were not associated with accrual sufficiency. Among respondents citing accrual difficulties (41%), factors negatively influencing accrual were not consistently identified. Respondents credited three factors with positively influencing accrual: clinical relevance of study, lack of competing trials, and protocol paralleling normal practice. Limitations Perceptions of lead statisticians and study chairs may not accurately reflect accrual barriers encountered by participating physicians or patients. Survey responses may be subject to recall bias. Conclusion Consistent factors explaining poor accrual were not identified, suggesting reasons for poor accrual are not well understood and warrant further study. Alternate strategies for accrual prediction are needed since Clinical Trials Cooperative Group experience is linked to successful and unsuccessful accrual.
Risk factors associated with increased nonrelapse mortality and with poor overall survival in children with chronic graft-versus-host disease
Authors: Jacobsohn David A. , Arora Mukta , Klein John P. , Hassebroek Anna , Flowers Mary E. , Cutler Corey S. , Urbano-Ispizua Alvaro , Bolwell Brian J. , Antin Joseph H. , Boyiadzis Michael , Cahn Jean-Yves , Cairo Mitchell S. , Herzig Roger H. , Isola Luis M. , Klumpp Thomas R. , Lee Stephanie J. , Petersdorf Effie W. , Santarone Stella , Gale Robert P. , Schouten Harry C. , Spellman Stephen R. , Weisdorf Daniel J. , Wingard John R. , Horowitz Mary M. , Pavletic Steven Z. 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
There is a paucity of information regarding the factors that affect nonrelapse mortality (NRM) and overall survival among children that develop chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). We performed multivariate analyses using data from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research to identify risk factors for NRM and survival in 1117 pediatric subjects with leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome, transplanted from related donors, unrelated donors (URD), or unrelated cord blood between 1995 and 2004. We identified 4 variables associated with higher NRM: HLA partially matched or mismatched URD, peripheral blood cell graft, Karnofsky/Lansky score < 80 at cGVHD diagnosis, and platelets < 100 × 109/L at cGVHD diagnosis. Factors associated with significantly worse survival were: age > 10 years, transplantation from HLA partially matched or mismatched URD, advanced disease at transplantation, Karnofsky/Lansky < 80; and platelets < 100 × 109/L. Cumulative incidence of discontinuation of systemic immune suppression at 1, 3, and 5 years after diagnosis of cGVHD were 22% (20%-25%), 34% (31%-37%), and 37% (34%-40%), respectively. This is the largest study elucidating variables affecting outcome after diagnosis of cGVHD in pediatric allograft recipients. These variables may be useful for risk stratification, development of future clinical trials, and family counseling in children with cGVHD.
Subtle differences in CTL cytotoxicity determine susceptibility to hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in mice and humans with Chediak-Higashi syndrome
Authors: Jessen Birthe , Maul-Pavicic Andrea , Ufheil Heike , Vraetz Thomas , Enders Anselm , Lehmberg Kai , Längler Alfred , Gross-Wieltsch Ute , Bay Ali , Kaya Zuhre , Bryceson Yenan T. , Koscielniak Ewa , Badawy Sherif , Davies Graham , Hufnagel Markus , Schmitt-Graeff Annette , Aichele Peter , zur Stadt Udo , Schwarz Klaus , Ehl Stephan 
Published: August 2011

AbstractPerforin-mediated cytotoxicity is important for controlling viral infections, but also for limiting immune reactions. Failure of this cytotoxic pathway leads to hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a life-threatening disorder of uncontrolled T-cell and macrophage activation. We studied susceptibility to HLH in 2 mouse strains (souris and beigeJ) and a cohort of patients with partial defects in perforin secretion resulting from different mutations in the LYST gene. Although both strains lacked NK-cell cytotoxicity, only souris mice developed all clinical and histopathologic signs of HLH after infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. The 2 strains showed subtle differences in CTL cytotoxicity in vitro that had a large impact on virus control in vivo. Whereas beigeJ CTLs eliminated lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection, souris CTLs failed to control the virus, which was associated with the development of HLH. In LYST-mutant patients with Chediak-Higashi syndrome, CTL cytotoxicity was reduced in patients with early-onset HLH, whereas it was retained in patients who later or never developed HLH. Thus, the risk of HLH development is set by a threshold that is determined by subtle differences in CTL cytotoxicity. Differences in the cytotoxic capacity of CTLs may be predictive for the risk of Chediak-Higashi syndrome patients to develop HLH.
Action Research Informing the Development of a Conceptual Model of Care and Service Delivery to Populations of Interest in Rural and Remote Communities
Authors: Petrie Eileen 
Published: August 2011

Objectives: This paper aims to identify and respond to workplace stress and related issues in a rural community mental health team. Method: Action research (AR) underpinned this study and facilitated change in practice through four distinctive completed AR cycles with data analysis proceeding alongside data collection. Theories were articulated and explored and resulted in the development of a new model of praxis. Conclusions: A new model of praxis was developed which should contribute to both positive patient outcomes and improved staff occupational safety and wellness. Based on this, three clinical nursing tools were developed and implemented into practice.
Reaching the Hard-To-Reach: How Information Communication Technologies Can Reach Young People at Greater Risk of Mental Health Difficulties
Authors: Stephens-Reicher Justine , Metcalf Atari , Blanchard Michelle , Mangan Cheryl , Burns Jane 
Published: August 2011

Objective: Inspire and partners have built an evidence base examining the role technology can play in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people at increased risk of developing mental health difficulties. This paper explores these findings collectively and considers how to best use information communication technologies (ICT) to meet the mental health needs of diverse young people aged 14–25. Conclusions: ICT offers relevant and innovative strategies for young people at increased risk of developing mental health difficulties. Whilst many young people experience social isolation and stigma, the manifestation of these issues and the strategies required to address them vary. ICT-based programs will benefit from identifying which protective factors can be most positively influenced through the unique properties of ICT, amongst whom and how. Challenges to ICT-based health services include inadequate access and training, lower literacy levels and the need for specialized technologies for people with disabilities.
Le bureau des colonies et le savoir scientifique : articulation entre sciences et actions dans la construction d’un projet atlantique (1763-1767)
Authors: Godfroy-de Borms Marion F. 
Published: August 2011

En 1763, le duc de Choiseul décide d’une colonisation blanche et rapide de la Guyane française dans une entreprise qui mobilise les grands acteurs de la France des années Choiseul. Cette éclatante revanche a un but : faire en quatre ans de la Guyane française l’exact contrepoint de la domination britannique au nord.Mais pour « former » cette colonie, le gouvernement constate son ignorance de cette France équinoxiale. La guerre ouvre un espace propice à l’accueil ou l’écoute de réflexions et de projets. Il sollicite alors diverses entités scientifiques (physiocrates, ingénieurs hydrographes, botanistes, académiciens) afin de mesurer le potentiel de l’espace continental américain de la « zone torride ».Le duc de Choiseul entend se renseigner sur le « local » dans une prise de renseignements qui s’articule selon plusieurs mouvements. Ces mouvements mettent en évidence d’une part le niveau des connaissances qui se font jour, et d’autre part la variété des intervenants scientifiques. L’entrée en scène de deux acteurs, l’intendant Chanvalon, directeur de l’Académie de sciences de Bordeaux, et le chevalier Turgot, gouverneur, associés libres de l’Académie des sciences, transforme le projet d’implantation en une colonie qui veut soutenir la comparaison avec le peuplement des treize colonies d’Amérique. Le savoir scientifique n’est plus une connaissance du local, mais devient une conception législative, politique, soumis à un contexte événementiel militaire. Ce faisant, la rupture de cette connaissance de terrain induit une impréparation relative quant à l’installation d’une expédition où se pressent 17 000 hommes, et explique, dans une certaine mesure, l’échec tragique d’un projet colonial des Lumières.
Numerical simulation of liquid absorption in paper‐like swelling porous media
Authors: Masoodi Reza , Tan Hua , Pillai Krishna M. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe work is built on a previous research by Wiryana and Berg, in which wicking into four wet‐formed paper stripes, consisting of cellulose fibers and four different percentages of the powdered carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) superabsorbent, was studied experimentally. Because of the swelling of cellulose fibers and CMC powder on contact with water, the wicking was accompanied by a swelling of the matrix. A finite element/control volume (FE/CV)‐based computer program is used for the first time to model the wicking in such swelling porous medium. The simulation used a novel form of continuity equation, which included the effects of liquid absorption and matrix swelling, in conjunction with the Darcy's law to model the single‐phase flow behind a clearly defined liquid‐front. A new method of estimating the time‐varying permeability of the paper, based on the absorbed liquid‐mass vs. time plots, is also proposed. Later, this time‐dependent permeability is used in the numerical simulation to change the permeability in elements behind the moving liquid‐front as a function of the time that the element has been wetted by the liquid, since the passage of the liquid‐front. The numerical prediction of the wicking‐front location as a function of time compares well with the reported experimental data. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 58: 2536–2544, 2012
Synthesis of TPA impregnated SBA‐15 catalysts and their performance in polyethylene degradation reaction
Authors: Aydemir Buğçe , Aslı Sezgi Naime , Doğu Timur 
Published: August 2011

AbstractTungstophosphoric acid (TPA)‐containing mesoporous santa barbara amorphous (SBA)‐15 materials were synthesized by impregnation of TPA into hydrothermally synthesized SBA‐15. TPA was incorporated to the porous framework of silica with different W/Si ratios, using TPA hydrate as the acid source. The synthesized materials had a surface area range of 212–825 m2 g−1, depending on the TPA loading and exhibited Type IV adsorption–desorption isotherms. Energy dispersive spectrometry and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses showed that TPA was successfully penetrated into mesopores of the SBA‐15 material. Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) analysis of the pyridine adsorbed synthesized materials revealed the existence of Lewis and Brønsted acid sites in the synthesized materials. Their performances were tested in the degradation of polyethylene by thermogravimetric analysis. An increase in TPA content significantly lowered the degradation temperature and activation energy of the polyethylene degradation reaction. In the presence of TPA‐incorporated SBA‐15 catalyst, activation energy was reduced to approximately half‐value of the value found in the absence of the catalyst. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 58: 2466–2472, 2012
Numerical and experimental study on spout elevation in spout‐fluidized beds
Authors: van Buijtenen M.S. , Buist K. , Deen N.G. , Kuipers J.A.M. , Leadbeater T. , Parker D.J. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe effect of elevating the spout on the dynamics of a spout‐fluidized bed, both numerically and experimentally is studied. The experiments were conducted in a pseudo‐two‐dimensional (2‐D) and a cylindrical three dimensional (3‐D) spout‐fluidized bed, where positron emission particle tracking (PEPT) and particle image velocimetry (PIV) were applied to the pseudo‐2‐D bed, and PEPT and electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) to the cylindrical 3‐D bed. A discrete particle model (DPM) was used to perform full 3‐D simulations of the bed dynamics. Several cases were studied, that is, beds with spout heights of 0, 2, and 4 cm. In the pseudo‐2‐D bed, the spout‐fluidization and jet‐in‐fluidized‐bed regime, were considered first, and it was shown that in the spout–fluidization regime, the expected dead zones appear in the annulus near the bottom of the bed as the spout is elevated. However, in the jet‐in‐fluidized‐bed regime, the circulation pattern of the particles is affected, without the development of stagnant zones. The jet‐in‐fluidized‐bed regime was further investigated, and additionally the experimental results obtained with PIV and PEPT were compared with the DPM simulation results. The experimental results obtained with PIV and PEPT agreed mutually very well, and in addition agreed well wtih the DPM results, although the velocities in the annulus region were slightly over predicted. The latter is probably due to the particle‐wall effects that are more dominant in pseudo‐2‐D systems compared with 3‐D systems. In the jet‐in‐fluidized‐bed regime, the background gas velocity is relatively high, producing bubbles in the annulus that interact with the spout channel. In the case of a non elevated spout, this interaction occurs near the bottom of the bed. As the spout is elevated, this interaction is shifted upwards in the bed, which allows the bubbles to remain undisturbed providing the motion of the particles in the annulus near the bottom of the bed. As a result, no dead zones are created and additionally, circulation patterns are vertically stretched. These findings were also obtained for the cylindrical 3‐D bed; although, the effects were less pronounced. In the cylindrical 3‐D bed the PEPT results show that the effect on the bed dynamics starts at hspout =1 4 cm, which is confirmed by the ECT results. Additionally, ECT measurements were conducted for hspout =1 6 cm to verify if indeed the effect happens at larger spout heights. The root mean square of the particle volume fraction slightly increased at hspout =1 2 cm, whereas a larger increase is found at hspout = 4 and 6 cm, showing that indeed more bubbles are formed. The presented results have not been reported so far and form valuable input information for improving industrial granulators. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 58: 2524–2535, 2012
Intergenerational influences on diabetes in a developing population: The Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study
Authors: Kavikondala S. , Jiang C.Q. , Zhang W.S. , Cheng K.K. , Lam T.H. , Leung G.M. , Schooling C.M. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractObjectives:Intergenerational “mismatch” and/or growth conditions may be relevant to the epidemic of diabetes in developing populations. In a rapidly developing southern Chinese population, we tested whether maternal environment, proxied by maternal literacy, or family socio‐economic position (SEP), proxied by paternal literacy, were associated with fasting glucose and diabetes. To assess if intergenerational mismatch contributed, we tested whether the associations varied by life course SEP.Methods:In 19,818 older (≥50 years) adults from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study (phases 2 and 3), we used censored and logistic regression to assess the associations of maternal and paternal literacy with fasting glucose, elevated fasting glucose and diabetes and whether these associations varied by sex, age or life course SEP.Results:Maternal, but not paternal, literacy was negatively associated with fasting plasma glucose (β‐coefficient −0.06 mmol/l, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.11 to −0.01) and elevated fasting glucose (odds ratio (OR) 0.92, 95% CI 0.86–0.99) adjusted for age, sex, study phase, life course SEP, childhood growth, adiposity, number of offspring, and birth order. Associations of maternal and paternal literacy with fasting glucose, elevated fasting glucose and diabetes did not vary by sex, age or life course SEP.Conclusion:Offspring of literate mothers had lower risk for impaired glucose tolerance than offspring of illiterate mothers. Being raised by literate mothers may increase the likelihood of children with higher SEP and lower long‐term disease risk, or better maternal conditions over generations may be associated with lower fasting glucose. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Positive association of Phencyclidine‐responsive genes, PDE4A and PLAT, with schizophrenia
Authors: Deng Xiangdong , Takaki Hiromi , Wang Lixiang , Kuroki Tosihide , Nakahara Tatsuo , Hashimoto Kijiro , Ninomiya Hideaki , Arinami Tadao , Inada Toshiya , Ujike Hiroshi , Itokawa Masanari , Tochigi Mamoru , Watanabe Yuichiro , Someya Toshiyuki , Kunugi Hiroshi , Iwata Nakao , Ozaki Norio , Shibata Hiroki , Fukumaki Yasuyuki 
Published: August 2011

AbstractAs schizophrenia‐like symptoms are produced by administration of phencyclidine (PCP), a noncompetitive antagonist of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors, PCP‐responsive genes could be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. We injected PCP to Wistar rats and isolated five different parts of the brain in 1 and 4 hr after the injection. We analyzed the gene expression induced by the PCP treatment of these tissues using the AGILENT rat cDNA microarray system. We observed changes in expression level in 90 genes and 21 ESTs after the treatment. Out of the 10 genes showing >2‐fold expressional change evaluated by qRT‐PCR, we selected 7 genes as subjects for the locus‐wide association study to identify susceptibility genes for schizophrenia in the Japanese population. In haplotype analysis, significant associations were detected in combinations of two SNPs of BTG2 (P = 1.4 × 10−6), PDE4A (P = 1.4 × 10−6), and PLAT (P = 1 × 10−3), after false discovery rate (FDR) correction. Additionally, we not only successfully replicated the haplotype associations in PDE4A (P = 6.8 × 10−12) and PLAT (P = 0.015), but also detected single‐point associations of one SNP in PDE4A (P = 0.0068) and two SNPs in PLAT (P = 0.0260 and 0.0104) in another larger sample set consisting of 2,224 cases and 2,250 controls. These results indicate that PDE4A and PLAT may be susceptibility genes for schizophrenia in the Japanese population. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.