bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Educational and occupational outcomes among young adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Gerhardt Cynthia A. , McGoron Katie D. , Vannatta Kathryn , McNamara Kelly A. , Taylor Janalee , Passo Murray , Noll Robert B. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo examine educational and occupational outcomes among young adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and peers during the transition from adolescence to emerging adulthood.MethodsFamilies were recruited when children with JIA were 8–14 years old. At that time, each child with JIA was matched to a classmate of similar age, sex, and race for inclusion in a comparison group. For the current followup (12.64 years postdiagnosis), 45 participants with JIA, 46 peers, and their parents completed questionnaires soon after the young person's 18th birthday. Disease type and severity were rated by health care providers.ResultsYoung adults with JIA and peers were similar on a variety of factors, including family background, scholastic and occupational self‐concept, and academic competence. The proportion of participants who graduated from high school, were working, and expressed plans to attend postsecondary education or seek employment was similar between groups. Disease type, initial severity, and time since diagnosis were generally not associated with indices of educational and occupational attainment.ConclusionDespite the challenge of having a chronic illness, young adults with JIA were similar to peers on numerous educational and occupational outcomes during the transition from adolescence to emerging adulthood. Interventions to assist academic or occupational functioning may not be necessary for all children with JIA, but additional research is needed to identify subgroups at risk for long‐term difficulties.
Effects of activity strategy training on pain and physical activity in older adults with knee or hip osteoarthritis: A pilot study
Authors: Murphy Susan L. , Strasburg Debra M. , Lyden Angela K. , Smith Dylan M. , Koliba Jessica F. , Dadabhoy Dina P. , Wallis Susan M. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo examine effects of activity strategy training (AST), a structured rehabilitation program taught by occupational therapists and designed to teach adaptive strategies for symptom control and engagement in physical activity (PA).MethodsA randomized controlled pilot trial was conducted at 4 sites (3 senior housing facilities and 1 senior center) in southeastern, lower Michigan. Fifty‐four older adults with hip or knee osteoarthritis (mean ± SD age 75.3 ± 7.1 years) participated. At each site, older adults were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 programs: exercise plus AST (Ex + AST) or exercise plus health education (Ex + Ed). The programs involved 8 sessions over 4 weeks with 2 followup sessions over a 6‐month period, and were conducted concurrently within each site. Pain, total PA and PA intensity (measured objectively by actigraphy and subjectively by the Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors questionnaire), arthritis self‐efficacy, and physical function were assessed at baseline and posttest.ResultsAt posttest, participants who received Ex + AST had significantly higher levels of objective peak PA (P = 0.02) compared with participants who received Ex + Ed. Although not statistically significant, participants in Ex + AST tended to have larger pain decreases, increased total objective and subjective PA, and increased physical function. No effects were found for arthritis self‐efficacy.ConclusionAlthough participants were involved in identical exercise programs, participants who received AST tended to have larger increases in PA at posttest compared with participants who received health education. Future studies will be needed to examine larger samples and long‐term effects of AST.
Effect of the early use of the anti–tumor necrosis factor adalimumab on the prevention of job loss in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Bejarano Victoria , Quinn Mark , Conaghan Philip G. , Reece Richard , Keenan Anne‐Maree , Walker David , Gough Andrew , Green Michael , McGonagle Dennis , Adebajo Ade , Jarrett Stephen , Doherty Sheelagh , Hordon Lesley , Melsom Richard , Unnebrink Kristina , Kupper Hartmut , Emery Paul 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo compare work disability and job loss in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients receiving adalimumab plus methotrexate (adalimumab + MTX) versus MTX alone.MethodsIn this multicenter, randomized, controlled trial, patients with RA for <2 years who had never taken MTX and who self‐reported work impairment were randomized to adalimumab + MTX or placebo + MTX for 56 weeks. Primary outcome was job loss of any cause and/or imminent job loss at or after week 16. Secondary outcomes included disease activity, function (Health Assessment Questionnaire [HAQ] score), and RA quality of life (RAQoL) questionnaire score. Work was evaluated with work diaries and the RA Work Instability Scale.ResultsAlthough job loss during the 56‐week study was significantly lower with adalimumab + MTX (14 of 75 patients) compared with MTX alone (29 of 73 patients; P = 0.005), the primary end point was not met (12 of 75 versus 20 of 73 patients; P = 0.092), likely owing to early drop out in the MTX group. There were significant improvements in American College of Rheumatology 20% response criteria, 28‐joint Disease Activity Score, ΔHAQ, ΔRAQoL, and working time lost in the adalimumab + MTX group. Twenty‐four serious adverse events were reported in 17 participants, with no differences between groups.ConclusionAdalimumab + MTX reduced job loss and improved productivity in early RA when compared with MTX alone, which supports the early use of anti–tumor necrosis factor therapy and suggests its cost efficacy.
Hand function and performance of daily activities in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Johnsson Pia Malcus , Sandqvist Gunnel , Bengtsson Anders , Nived Ola 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate hand problems in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to explore consequences on the ability to perform daily activities.MethodsOne hundred nine patients with SLE completed a questionnaire assessing hand problems in terms of deficits in body structures, e.g., joints, and body functions including pain, grip force, and other physiologic functions of the hand, the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), and the Simple hand test. Patients who stated problems in hand function answered questions about performance of daily activities and to what extent different deficits in body structures and body functions interfered.ResultsSeventy‐three percent of patients experienced hand problems and 42% reported interference with performance of daily activities. Problems from body structures of the hand were distributed relatively evenly over joints and tendons/muscles. Reduced grip force and activity‐induced pain were the most commonly reported problems in body functions. The most affected activity area was productivity, namely household tasks, work at home, work/study, and child care; least affected was self‐care. Reduced grip force followed by fumbling and pain were the most frequently reported body functions to create difficulties in performing daily activities. When comparing patients with and without difficulties in performing daily activities, there were significant differences in problems from tendons/muscles, joints in the thumb, reduced force, stiffness, fumbling, numbness/tingling, and the HAQ.ConclusionA majority of the study group had hand problems and almost half of the group experienced difficulties in performing daily activities due to SLE. The most affected activity area was productivity, where reduced grip force, fumbling, and pain were the most interfering body functions.
Association of body composition with disability in rheumatoid arthritis: Impact of appendicular fat and lean tissue mass
Authors: Giles Jon T. , Bartlett Susan J. , Andersen Ross E. , Fontaine Kevin R. , Bathon Joan M. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the association of measures of body composition with disability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsPatients with RA underwent total body dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry for measurement of total and regional body fat and lean mass. The associations of measures of fat and lean mass with disability, measured with the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), were explored for the total cohort and by sex, controlling for pertinent demographic, lifestyle, and RA disease and treatment covariates.ResultsWe studied 197 subjects (118 women, 79 men). Median (interquartile range) HAQ score was 0.625 (0.125–1.25) and was significantly higher, indicating worse physical function, in women than in men. HAQ score was strongly correlated with depression, pain, RA duration, duration of morning stiffness, Disease Activity Score in 28 joints, radiographic damage scores, levels of physical and sedentary activities, and body composition, with increasing fat and decreasing lean mass associated with higher HAQ scores. Appendicular fat and lean mass demonstrated the strongest association per kilogram with HAQ. Mean HAQ score was 0.52 units higher for subjects in the highest versus the lowest quartile of appendicular fat mass (P < 0.001), and 0.81 units higher for subjects in the lowest versus the highest quartile of appendicular lean mass (P < 0.001). Adjusting for demographic and RA characteristics partially attenuated these associations. The joint associations of appendicular fat and lean mass on HAQ were additive without significant interaction.ConclusionBody composition, particularly the amount of fat and lean mass located in the arms and legs, is strongly associated with disability in RA patients.
Reporting disease activity in clinical trials of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: EULAR/ACR collaborative recommendations
Authors: Aletaha D. , Landewe R. , Karonitsch T. , Bathon J. , Boers M. , Bombardier C. , Bombardieri S. , Choi H. , Combe B. , Dougados M. , Emery P. , Gomez‐Reino J. , Keystone E. , Koch G. , Kvien T. K. , Martin‐Mola E. , Matucci‐Cerinic M. , Michaud K. , O'dell J. , Paulus H. , Pincus T. , Richards P. , Simon L. , Siegel J. , Smolen J. S. , Sokka T. , Strand V. , Tugwell P. , van der Heijde D. , van Riel P. , Vlad S. , van Vollenhoven R. , Ward M. , Weinblatt M. , Wells G. , White B. , Wolfe F. , Zhang B. , Zink A. , Felson D. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo make recommendations on how to report disease activity in clinical trials of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) endorsed by the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).MethodsThe project followed the EULAR standardized operating procedures, which use a three‐step approach: 1) expert‐based definition of relevant research questions (November 2006); 2) systematic literature search (November 2006 to May 2007); and 3) expert consensus on recommendations based on the literature search results (May 2007). In addition, since this is the first joint EULAR/ACR publication on recommendations, an extra step included a meeting with an ACR panel to approve the recommendations elaborated by the expert group (August 2007).ResultsEleven relevant questions were identified for the literature search. Based on the evidence from the literature, the expert panel recommended that each trial should report the following items: 1) disease activity response and disease activity states; 2) appropriate descriptive statistics of the baseline, the endpoints and change of the single variables included in the core set; 3) baseline disease activity levels (in general); 4) the percentage of patients achieving a low disease activity state and remission; 5) time to onset of the primary outcome; 6) sustainability of the primary outcome; 7) fatigue.ConclusionThese recommendations endorsed by EULAR and ACR will help harmonize the presentations of results from clinical trials. Adherence to these recommendations will provide the readership of clinical trials with more details of important outcomes, while the higher level of homogeneity may facilitate the comparison of outcomes across different trials and pooling of trial results, such as in meta‐analyses.
Computing an NPMLE for a Mixing Distribution in Two Closed Heterogeneous Population Size Models
Authors: Mao Chang Xuan 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBinomial and geometric mixtures can be used to model data gathered in capture‐recapture surveys of animal populations, removal surveys of harvest populations, registrations of disease populations, ecological species census, and so on. To compute a nonparametric maximum likelihood estimator for the mixing distribution of heterogeneous capture probabilities, we consider a conditional approach and use a reliable and fast integrative procedure which combines the EM algorithm to increase the likelihood and the vertex‐exchange method to update the number of support points. A convergent Newtonian algorithm is used in the M‐step of the EM algorithm. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The preoccupation with thresholds in cases of child death or serious injury through abuse and neglect
Authors: Brandon Marian , Belderson Pippa , Warren Catherine , Gardner Ruth , Howe David , Dodsworth Jane , Black Jane 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThresholds into and between services emerged as a significant theme in the biennial analysis of cases of child death and serious injury through abuse and neglect ‘serious case reviews’ carried out in England for the (then) Department for Education and Skills between 2003–05. The preoccupation with thresholds was one of a number of interacting risk factors and many children's cases were on the boundary of services and levels of intervention. In most cases child protection did not come ‘labelled as such’ which reinforces the need for all practitioners, including those working with adults to be alert to the risks of significant harm. Policy makers should acknowledge that staff working in early intervention are working within the safeguarding continuum and not in a separate sphere of activity. The emotional impact of working with hostility from violent parents and working with resistance from older adolescents impeded engagement, judgement and safeguarding action. In the long term neglect cases that were reviewed, the threshold for formal child protection services was rarely met and some agencies and practitioners coped with feelings of helplessness by adopting the ‘start again syndrome’. Adequate resources are essential but not sufficient to redress the problems. Effective and accessible supervision is crucial to help staff to put into practice the critical thinking required to understand cases holistically, complete analytical assessments, and weigh up interacting risk and protective factors. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recommendations from child fatality review teams: results of a US nationwide exploratory study concerning maltreatment fatalities and social service delivery
Authors: Douglas Emily M. , Cunningham Jennifer M. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractMultidisciplinary child fatality review teams (CFRT) have existed in the United States (US) for almost 30 years; the products of the review process, however, remain unexamined. This study reviewed reports from CFRT throughout the US to compile and evaluate the identification of problems and recommendations by professionals concerning child maltreatment fatalities. Team‐ and state‐level data were also used for analysis to better understand the context in which recommendations are made. Over 300 recommendations for change from CFRT were grouped into 11 macro categories. The frequency of each type of recommendation and examples from each category are provided. The authors provide recommendations of their own for improvements in CFRT outputs. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experiences in applying data‐driven modelling technology to steelmaking processes
Authors: Miletic Ivan , Boudreau François , Dudzic Michael , Kotuza Greg , Ronholm Laura , Vaculik Vit , Zhang Yale 
Published: September 2008

AbstractExperience has shown that data‐driven modelling methods are useful for improving steelmaking processes. In particular, principal components analysis and partial least squares are well‐suited for industrial implementation because they address practical issues such as colinearity and missing data. In the course of applying these multivariate methods on‐line, a need for a flexible computer infrastructure to better support data handling and model implementation was identified and met with an internally developed software calculation platform. Multivariate methods have been found useful for monitoring and for prediction and can also be applied as a foundation for other methods such as optimization.
A replicated investigation of nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization of styrene over a range of reaction conditions
Authors: Nabifar Afsaneh , McManus Neil T. , Vivaldo‐Lima Eduardo , Lona Liliane M.F. , Penlidis Alexander 
Published: September 2008

AbstractA comprehensive experimental investigation of nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization (NMRP) of styrene using 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1‐piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) as controller is presented. Polymerizations with a bimolecular initiator (benzoyl peroxide; BPO) were carried out at 120 and 130°C, with TEMPO/BPO molar ratios ranging from 0.9 to 1.5. Results indicate that increasing temperature increases the rate of polymerization while the decrease in molecular weights is only slight. It was also observed that increasing the ratio of TEMPO/BPO decreased both the rate of polymerization and molecular weights. Probably for the first time in the history of such investigations, the paper contains a comprehensive database, appropriate for parameter estimation in aid of future modelling studies, since it comes from a systematic data collection containing independent replication.
Local dynamic partial least squares approaches for the modelling of batch processes
Authors: Fletcher N. M. , Morris A. J. , Montague G. , Martin E. B. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe application of multivariate statistical projection based techniques has been recognized as one approach to contributing to an increased understanding of process behaviour. The key methodologies have included multi‐way principal component analysis (PCA), multi‐way partial least squares (PLS) and batch observation level analysis. Batch processes typically exhibit nonlinear, time variant behaviour and these characteristics challenge the aforementioned techniques. To address these challenges, dynamic PLS has been proposed to capture the process dynamics. Likewise approaches to removing the process nonlinearities have included the removal of the mean trajectory and the application of nonlinear PLS. An alternative approach is described whereby the batch trajectories are sub‐divided into operating regions with a linear/linear dynamic model being fitted to each region. These individual models are spliced together to provide an overall nonlinear global model. Such a structure provides the potential for an alternative approach to batch process performance monitoring. In the paper a number of techniques are considered for developing the local model, including multi‐way PLS and dynamic multi‐way PLS. Utilising the most promising set of results from a simulation study of a batch process, the local model comprising individual linear dynamic PLS models was benchmarked against global nonlinear dynamic PLS using data from an industrial batch fermentation process. In conclusion the results for the local operating region techniques were comparable to the global model in terms of the residual sum of squares but for the global model structure was evident in the residuals. Consequently, the local modelling approach is statistically more robust.
The integration of spectroscopic and process data for enhanced process performance monitoring
Authors: Wong Chris W. L. , Escott Richard , Martin Elaine , Morris Julian 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBatch process performance monitoring has been achieved primarily using process measurements with the extracted information being associated with the physical parameters of the process. With increasing attention now being paid to the application of on‐line real‐time process analytics through spectrometry, together with the FDA Process Analytical Technologies (PAT) initiative, the use of spectroscopic information for enhanced monitoring of reactions is gaining impetus. The harmonious integration of process data and spectroscopic data then becomes a major challenge. By integrating the process and spectroscopic measurements for multivariate statistical data modelling and analysis, it is conjectured that improved process understanding and fault diagnosis can be achieved. An investigation into combining process and spectral data using multiblock and multiresolution analysis is proposed and the results from the analysis of experimental data from two industrial application studies are presented to demonstrate the improvements achievable in terms of process performance monitoring and fault diagnosis.
Arsenic trioxide and low‐dose cytarabine in older patients with untreated acute myeloid leukemia, excluding acute promyelocytic leukemia
Authors: Roboz Gail J. , Ritchie Ellen K. , Curcio Tania , Provenzano Juliette , Carlin Rebecca , Samuel Michael , Wittenberg Beth , Mazumdar Madhu , Christos Paul J. , Mathew Susan , Allen‐Bard Sandra , Feldman Eric J. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND.Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) carries a dismal prognosis in older patients. In this study, the authors evaluated the safety and efficacy of arsenic trioxide combined with low‐dose cytarabine in untreated patients aged ≥60 years with AML.METHODS.In a phase 1/2 design, arsenic trioxide was administered intravenously at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg on Days 1 through 5 and on Days 8 through 12, and low‐dose cytarabine was given subcutaneously twice daily on Days 1 through 14 in escalating doses to a target of 10 mg/m2 per dose. Of 64 patients who had pathologically confirmed AML, excluding patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia and using World Health Organization criteria, the median age was 71 years, 10 patients (16%) had treatment‐related AML, 40 patients (63%) had an antecedent myelodysplastic syndrome or myeloproliferative disorder, and 35 patients (55%) had unfavorable cytogenetics. Thirty‐four patients (53%) had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2 or 3.RESULTS.Complete remission was achieved in 21 of 61 patients (34%), including 15 of 50 patients (30%) who had secondary or treatment‐related AML, 10 of 33 patients (30%) who had unfavorable cytogenetics, and 6 of 34 patients (18%) who had a poor baseline performance status. The mortality rate within the first 4 weeks was 8%. Neutropenic fever was observed in >80% of patients, and 41% of patients had bacteremia. Nonhematologic toxicity generally was mild and reversible and included fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, rash, peripheral edema, and elevated transaminases. There were no clinically significant cardiac arrhythmias.CONCLUSIONS.The addition of arsenic trioxide to low‐dose cytarabine appeared to improve responses in elderly patients who had AML compared with either agent alone, and a randomized trial of the combination versus single‐agent low‐dose cytarabine is ongoing. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer society.