bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Primary Prevention with Defibrillator Therapy in Women: Results from the Sudden Cardiac Death in Heart Failure Trial
Authors: RUSSO ANDREA M. , POOLE JEANNE E. , MARK DANIEL B. , ANDERSON JILL , HELLKAMP ANNE S. , LEE KERRY L. , JOHNSON GEORGE W. , DOMANSKI MICHAEL , BARDY GUST H. 
Published: March 2008

Introduction: The Sudden Cardiac Death in Heart Failure Trial (SCD‐HeFT) demonstrated that implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy reduced overall mortality in patients with class II or III heart failure and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 35%, while amiodarone had no effect on survival. There are limited data regarding the influence of gender on outcome of patients receiving ICDs for primary prevention. Methods: We examined gender differences in response to treatment and outcome in this cohort. Results: Women comprised 23% of the SCD‐HeFT cohort, with similar percentages in the amiodarone, ICD, and placebo groups. Compared with men, women were more likely to be non‐Caucasian, to have class III heart failure, and nonischemic heart disease. After adjustment for baseline differences, overall mortality risk was lower in women than in men. The gender difference in overall mortality was seen in the placebo group, while no gender difference in overall mortality was seen in the ICD group. There was a significantly lower absolute risk of death in the placebo arm women, compared with the placebo arm men (annual mortality rate approximately 4% vs. 6%). Conclusions: The impact of ICD therapy appears to differ between men and women in this trial, with a smaller ICD benefit among women. However, the test for an interaction between gender and therapy was not significant. The lower overall mortality risk in women in the placebo group and the smaller number of women enrolled may help to explain why treatment differences in women were much smaller and difficult to detect.
Esophageal Luminal Temperature Measurement Underestimates Esophageal Tissue Temperature During Radiofrequency Ablation Within the Canine Left Atrium: Comparison Between 8 mm Tip and Open Irrigation Catheters
Authors: CUMMINGS JENNIFER E. , BARRETT CONOR D. , LITWAK KENNETH N. , DI BIASE LUIGI , CHOWDHURY PUNAM , OH SEIL , CHING CHI KEONG , SALIBA WALID I. , SCHWEIKERT ROBERT A. , BURKHARDT J. DAVID , DE MARCO SHARI , ARMAGANIJAN LUCIANA , NATALE ANDREA 
Published: March 2008

Introduction: Evaluation of luminal temperature during left atrial ablation is used clinically; however, luminal temperature does not necessarily reflect temperature within the esophageal wall and poses a risk of atrioesophageal fistula. This animal study evaluates luminal esophageal temperature and its relation to the temperature of the external esophageal tissue during left atrial lesions using the 8 mm solid tip and the open irrigated tip catheters (OIC). Methods and Results: A thermocouple was secured to the external surface of the esophagus at the level of the left atrium of the dogs. Luminal esophageal temperature was measured using a standard temperature probe. In four randomized dogs, lesions were placed using an 8 mm solid tip ablation catheter. In six randomized dogs, lesions were placed using the 3.5 mm OIC. The average peak esophageal tissue temperature when using the OIC was significantly higher than that of the 8 mm tip catheter (88.6°C ± 15.0°C vs. 62.3°C ± 12.5°C, P < 0.05). Both OIC and 8 mm tip catheter had significantly higher peak tissue temperatures than luminal temperatures (OIC: 88.6°C ± 15.0°C vs 39.7°C ± 0.82°C, P < 0.05) (8 mm: 62.3°C ± 12.5°C vs 39.0 ± 0.5°C, P < 0.05). Both catheters achieved peak temperatures faster in the tissue as compared to the lumen of the esophagus, although the tissue temperature peaked significantly faster for the OIC (OIC: 25 seconds vs 90 seconds, P < 0.05) (8 mm: 63 seconds vs 105 seconds, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Despite the significant difference in actual tissue temperatures, no significant difference was observed in luminal temperatures between the OIC and 8 mm tip catheter.
CaMKIIT287 and T305 regulate history‐dependent increases in α agonist–induced vascular tone
Authors: Munevar S. , Gangopadhyay S.S. , Gallant C. , Colombo B. , Sellke F.W. , Morgan K.G. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractCaMKII is a calcium and calmodulin‐activated kinase that has been shown to regulate learning and memory in the brain, and contractility in blood vessels. Following Ca activation, CaMKII autophosphorylates, gaining a calcium‐independent autonomous activity that reflects a molecular memory of having previously come into contact with calcium. The present study addresses whether the molecular memory properties of CaMKII are involved in the modulation of sustained vascular tone. We demonstrate a history‐dependence of α agonist‐induced vascular tone and show that CaMKII activation in vascular cells is also history dependent. Autophosphorylation of Thr287, which is classically associated with autonomous activity, does not persist during tone maintenance after transient increases in intracellular calcium levels. However, we have found that another site, Thr305, known from in vitro studies to be inhibitory, is regulated by α agonists in that the inhibitory action is removed, thus leading to a delayed reactivation of CaMKII as measured by Thr287 phosphorylation. By the use of a small molecule CaMKII inhibitor (KN93) as well as a decoy peptide (autoinhibitory peptide; AIP) we show a cause and effect relationship between CaMKII reactivation and sustained vascular tone maintenance. Thus, it appears that a complex interplay between the regulation of Thr305 and Thr287 provides a novel mechanism by which a history‐dependence is developed and contributes to a new facet of molecular memory for CaMKII of relevance to vascular tone maintenance.
Cavernosometry: Is It a Dinosaur?
Authors: Vardi Yoram , Glina Sidney , Mulhall John P. , Menchini Fillipo , Munarriz Ricardo 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Is cavernosometry a useful tool in treating men with erectile dysfunction?

Methods
Five people with expertise and/or interest in the area of cavernosometry were asked to contribute their opinions.

Main Outcome Measure
To provide food for thought, discussion, and possible further research in a poorly discussed area of sexual medicine.

Results
While one urologist feels dynamic infusion cavernosography and cavernosometry seem to have found their place in history, another believes it is time to separate these tests and look at cavernosometry alone and its relevance to the use of duplex Doppler ultrasound, both useful tools in assessing surgical candidates. Three clinicians agree that cavernosography and cavernosometry have a role in specific cases, particularly before revascularization surgery.

Conclusion
Cavernosometry may not be a useful tool for the average clinician treating erectile dysfunction, but serves a purpose for the specialist.
Vardenafil in Men with Stable Statin Therapy and Dyslipidemia
Authors: Miner Martin , Gilderman Larry , Bailen James , Cook David , Dawson Katie , Stanislaus Marisha , Beresford Eric , Barnes Allison 
Published: March 2008

Abstract

Introduction
Phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors have previously been evaluated for their efficacy and safety in various clinical trials in men with erectile dysfunction (ED) with or without associated comorbidities.

Aim
This is the first prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a PDE-5 inhibitor (i.e., vardenafil) in an exclusive population of men with ED and dyslipidemia.

Main Outcome Measures
Three coprimary efficacy measurements (Sexual Encounter Performance [SEP]2, SEP3, International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function [IIEF-EF] domain scores) were used to assess the differential effect of vardenafil vs. placebo in this patient population. Adverse events (AEs) safety data were obtained to compare safety outcomes.

Methods
This 12-week of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 59 U.S. centers. Patients received either on-demand, flexible-dose vardenafil 10 mg (titrated to 5 mg or 20 mg based upon efficacy and safety) or placebo.

Results
Of the 712 patients screened and entered into the study, 395 were randomized. Baseline demographics for the intent-to-treat population included: mean age, 54.4 years (±7.5 standard deviation [SD]); 76% Caucasian; mean body mass index (BMI), 31.7 kg/m2 (±12.7 SD); 47% past/present smoker; and 42% severe ED. Aside from dyslipidemia, other comorbidities included hypertension, 61%; obesity (i.e., BMI ≥ 30), 51%; and type 1 or 2 diabetes, 40%. During the 12-week treatment period, the least squares (LS) adjusted mean success rates in patients on vardenafil vs. placebo were: SEP2, 79.09% vs. 51.92%; and SEP3, 66.69% vs. 33.83% (P &lt;0.001). The LS adjusted mean IIEF-EF domain score for week 12 using LOCF was 21.99 in patients on vardenafil therapy vs. 14.83 in those on placebo (P &lt;0.001). The most commonly encountered AEs were headache and nasal congestion.

Conclusions
Vardenafil was demonstrated to be safe and effective for managing ED in men with ED and associated dyslipidemia. The results of this study support the role of expanded research on outcomes related to effective ED treatment and aggressive lipid control.
Consolidation and Expansion of Agricultural Policy and Rural Development Policy is our Common Task La consolidation et l’expansion de la politique agricole et de la politique de développement rural est de notre responsabilité commune Die Konsolidierung und Ausdehnung der Agrarpolitik und der Politik zur Entwicklung des ländlichen Raums ist unsere gemeinsame Aufgabe
Authors: Jarc Iztok 
Published: March 2008

Consolidation and Expansion of Agricultural Policy and Rural Development Policy is our Common TaskDiscussions about adjustments to agricultural and rural development policy in the EU must not be burdened by historical restraints and taboos. The outcome should ensure a political and economic environment for the agricultural sector and rural areas that will enable far reaching and sustainable development. Policy and measures, therefore, should be targeted to achieve what the breadth of European society expects. The incorporation of the CAP was one of the hardest issues in the accession negotiations and the process of integration. We had to take on the CAP as an entity, with all its positive and negative elements. The CAP, however, in a rather limited time has actually contributed to the development of numerous agricultural holdings and added a new perspective to many areas and individuals in new Member States. The future CAP can only be based on a clear linkage between agricultural production and change in rural areas, which can together contribute to sustainable development. This means that agriculture and rural areas have an economic function as well as important social and environmental roles. The goal of the CAP must be to ensure the provision of ‘public goods’, however these public goods have to be clearly defined and evaluated and the debate should also consider the interests of our descendants.
Toward a US Shift from Agricultural to Rural Development Policy: Forces of Challenge and Change Auf einen Wechsel von der US‐Agrarpolitik zu einer Politik des ländlichen Raums hinarbeiten: Die Triebkräfte der Herausforderung und des Wandels Vers une transition des politiques agricoles vers des politiques de développement rural aux États‐Unis: Les forces du défi et du changement
Authors: Fluharty Charles W. 
Published: March 2008

Toward a US Shift from Agricultural to Rural Development Policy: Forces of Challenge and ChangeOn the 5th of November 2007, Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, Chairman of the US Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Nutrition, in opening the floor debate on the 2007 Farm Bill, urged a new US commitment to rural policy, keeping in mind that nearly 85 per cent of total farm household income is now generated off‐farm. Recent institutional developments, moreover, evidence the success of a decade‐long effort to increase focus on the rural development Title of the Farm Bill. One result was the formation of the Alliance for Sensible Agriculture Policies (ASAP), a loose federation of over 30 national organizations, representing the entire political spectrum. It remains highly active in support of Farm Bill reform. Currently, the Senate Bill contains a US$ 400 million increase in mandatory rural development funding. As we move toward an end‐game, however, members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives will face the unbridled power of commodity organizations. It is likely that this will again overwhelm public sentiment and wise public choice. Despite overwhelming odds, a new commitment to a more innovative rural policy framework is emerging in the United States. I believe that this Farm Bill will ultimately be viewed as the beginning of a landscape‐changing legislative framework for rural people and places in America.
Analysis of mouse, rat, dog, marmoset, and human serum proteins by capillary electrophoresis: comparison with agarose gel electrophoresis
Authors: Crivellente Federica , Bonato Monica , Cristofori Patrizia 
Published: March 2008

Background: Serum protein analysis in both humans and experimental animal species has so far been carried out by labor‐intensive techniques, such as agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE).Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate capillary electrophoresis (CE) as an alternative technique to AGE for the analysis of serum proteins from healthy animals.Methods: Blood samples were collected into tubes without anticoagulant from 6 fasted healthy male mice, rats, dogs, marmosets, and humans. Serum proteins were separated by CE using a technique standardized for the analysis of human proteins, and the results (efficiency, resolution, and precision) were compared with those obtained through AGE.Results: Compared with AGE, CE resulted in narrower peaks and more peaks. The efficiency of protein separation by CE was significantly higher for all species, and resolution (R) was significantly higher in samples from dogs. Using rat serum, intraday reproducibility was lower for all protein fractions, and interday reproducibility was lower for most peaks, compared with AGE.Conclusions: We conclude that CE is a viable alternative to AGE for the determination of protein electrophoresis in a routine veterinary clinical pathology laboratory. The minimal sample requirement (2 μL), complete automation, and quantitative results make CE an especially valuable technique for protein analysis in experimental animal models.
Hematologic, cytochemical, ultrastructural, and molecular findings of Hepatozoon‐infected flat‐headed cats (Prionailurus planiceps)
Authors: Salakij Chaleow , Salakij Jarernsak , Narkkong Nual‐Anong , Sirinarumitr Theerapol , Pattanarangsan Rattapan 
Published: March 2008

Background: The flat‐headed cat (Prionailurus planiceps) is a small wild cat of Southeast Asia and is considered extremely endangered. Little is known about the hematologic values, blood cell morphology, or hemoparasites of this species in relation to other Felidae.Objectives: The objective of this study was to report basic hematologic values and describe the light microscopic, cytochemical, and ultrastructural characteristics of blood cells in 2 wild‐caught flat‐headed cats. In addition, molecular analysis was done of a Hepatozoon organism found in the neutrophils of both cats.Methods: Blood samples were collected into EDTA from the cephalic vein. A CBC, manual differential count, manual reticulocyte count, cytochemical stains (Sudan black B [SBB], α‐naphthyl acetate esterase [ANAE], and β‐glucuronidase), and scanning and transmission electron microscopy were done using standard methods.Results: HCT was slightly lower and reticulocyte counts and red cell distribution width were higher than the expected values for other species of cats. Hepatozoon organisms were found in the cytoplasm of neutrophils in both cats, but the number of infected neutrophils was very low (1%–2%). Neutrophils stained strongly positive for SBB, but were negative for ANAE and β‐glucuronidase. Hepatozoon‐infected neutrophils were negative for SBB, but focally positive for ANAE and β‐glucuronidase. By transmission electron microscopy, gamonts of Hepatozoon sp were observed in neutrophils, and rarely free in plasma. Infected neutrophils had fewer specific granules and more mitochondria compared with noninfected neutrophils. PCR products of partial 18S rRNA revealed that the isolate of Hepatozoon in the flat‐headed cats was closely related to that of the frog Hepatozoon sp.Conclusions: These results add to our understanding of hematologic values and blood cell morphology in Hepatozoon‐infected flat‐headed cats as well as the molecular analysis of the Hepatozoon organism, and may be useful for the health management and evaluation of hemoparasitic disease in this species.
Development of a Novel Algorithm for a Crack Detection, Localization, and Sizing in a Beam Based on Forced Response Measurements
Authors: Karthikeyan M. , Tiwari R. , Talukdar S. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
The present work aims at the development of a method for the crack detection, localization and sizing in a beam based on the transverse force and response signals. The Timoshenko beam theory is applied for transverse vibrations of the beam model. The finite element method is used for the cracked beam forced vibration analysis. An open transverse surface crack is considered for the crack model, which contains standard five flexibility coefficients. The effect of the proportionate damping is also included. A harmonic force of known amplitude with sine-sweep frequency is used to dynamically excite the beam, up to few flexible modes, which could be provided with the help of an exciter. In practice, linear degrees of freedom (DOFs) can be measured quite accurately; however, rotational DOFs are difficult to measure accurately. All rotational DOFs, except at crack element, are eliminated by a dynamic condensation scheme; for elimination of rotational DOFs at the crack element, a new condensation scheme is implemented. The algorithm is iterative in nature and starts with a presumption that a crack is present in the beam. For an assumed crack location, flexibility coefficients are estimated with the help of forced responses. The Tikhonov regularization technique is applied in the estimation of bounded crack flexibility coefficients. These crack flexibility coefficients are used to obtain the crack size by minimizing an objective function. With the help of the estimated crack size and measured natural frequency, the crack location is updated. The procedure iterates till the crack size and location get stabilized up to the desired level of accuracy. The algorithm has a potential to detect no crack condition also. The crack flexibility and damping coefficients are estimated as a by-product. Numerical examples, with the simply supported and cantilevered beams, are given to justify the applicability and versatility of the algorithm in practice. With the numerically simulated forced responses, which have the noise contamination and the error in the natural frequency measurements, the estimated crack parameters (i.e., the crack location and size) are in good agreement.
On the Stress Singularities at Multimaterial Interfaces and Related
Analogies With Fluid Dynamics and Diffusion
Authors: Paggi Marco , Carpinteri Alberto 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Joining of different materials is a situation frequently observed in mechanical engineering and in materials science. Due to the difference in the elastic properties of the constituent materials, the junction points can be the origin of stress singularities and a possible source of damage. Hence, a full appreciation of these critical situations is of fundamental importance both from the mathematical and the engineering standpoints. In this paper, an overview of interface mechanical problems leading to stress singularities is proposed to show their relevance in engineering. The mathematical methods for the asymptotic analysis of stress singularities in multimaterial junctions and wedges composed of isotropic linear-elastic materials are reviewed and compared, with special attention to in-plane and out-of-plane loadings. This analysis mathematically demonstrates in a historical retrospective the equivalence of the eigenfunction expansion method, of the complex function representation, and of the Mellin transform technique for the determination of the order of the stress singularity in such problems. The analogies between linear elasticity and the Stokes flow of dissimilar immiscible fluids, the steady-state heat transfer across different materials, and the St. Venant torsion of composite bars are also discussed. Finally, advanced issues for the stress singularities due to joining of angularly nonhomogeneous elastic wedges are presented. This review article contains 147 references.
Hydrometeorological Short-Range Ensemble Forecasts in Complex Terrain. Part II: Economic Evaluation
Authors: McCollor Doug , Stull Roland 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Two economic models are employed to perform a value assessment of short-range ensemble forecasts of 24-h precipitation probabilities for hydroelectric reservoir operation.
Using a static cost–loss model, the value of the probability information is compared to the values of a deterministic control high-resolution forecast and of an ensemble-average forecast for forecast days 1 and 2. It is found that the probabilistic ensemble forecast provides value to a much wider range of hydroelectric operators than either the deterministic high-resolution forecast or the ensemble-average forecast, although for a small subset of operators the value of the three forecasts is the same. Forecasts for day-1 precipitation provide measurably higher value than forecasts for day-2 precipitation because of the loss of skill in the longer-range forecasts.
A decision theory model provides a continuous-variable weighting of a user-specific utility function. The utility function weights are supplied by the ensemble prediction system, and the outcome is compared with weights calculated from a deterministic model, from the ensemble average, and from climatology. It is found that the methods employing the full ensemble and the ensemble average outperform the single deterministic model and climatology for the hydroelectric reservoir scenario studied.
Statistical Characteristics of Daily Precipitation: Comparisons of Gridded and Point Datasets
Authors: Ensor Leslie A. , Robeson Scott M. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Gridding of daily precipitation data alleviates many of the limitations of data that are derived from point observations, such as problems associated with missing data and the lack of spatial coverage. As a result, gridded precipitation data can be valuable for applied climatological research and monitoring, but they too have limitations. To understand the limitations of gridded data more fully (especially when they are used as surrogates for station data), annual precipitation total, rain-day frequency, and annual maxima are calculated and compared for five Midwestern grid points from the Climate Prediction Center’s Unified Rain Gauge Dataset (URD) and those of its nearest (rain gauge) station. To further examine differences between the two datasets, return periods of daily precipitation were calculated over a region encompassing Illinois and Indiana. These analyses reveal that the gridding process used to create the URD produced nearly the same annual totals as the rain gauge data; however, the gridding significantly increased the frequency of low-precipitation events while greatly reducing the frequency of heavy-precipitation events. Extreme precipitation values also were greatly reduced in the gridded precipitation data. While smoothing nearly always occurs when data are gridded, the gridding of discrete variables such as daily precipitation can produce datasets with statistical characteristics that are very different from those of the original observations.