bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictors of affect following treatment decision‐making for prostate cancer: conversations, cognitive processing, and coping
Authors: Christie Kysa M. , Meyerowitz Beth E. , Giedzinska‐Simons Antoinette , Gross Mitchell , Agus David B. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractObjective: Research suggests that cancer patients who are more involved in treatment decision‐making (TDM) report better quality of life following treatment. This study examines the association and possible mechanisms between prostate cancer patient's discussions about TDM and affect following treatment. We predicted that the length of time patients spent discussing treatment options with social networks and physicians prior to treatment would predict emotional adjustment after treatment. We further predicted that cognitive processing, coping, and patient understanding of treatment options would mediate this association.Methods: Fifty‐seven patients completed questionnaires prior to treatment and at 1 and 6 months following treatment completion.Results: Findings from the present study suggest that discussing treatment options with others, prior to beginning treatment for prostate cancer, significantly contributed to improvements in affect 1 and 6 months following treatment. Residualized regression analyses indicated that discussing treatment options with patient's social networks predicted a decrease in negative affect 1 and 6 months following treatment, while discussions with physicians predicted an increase in positive affect 1 month following treatment. Patients who spent more time discussing treatment options with family and friends also reported greater pre‐treatment social support and emotional expression. Mediation analyses indicated that these coping strategies facilitated cognitive processing (as measured by a decrease in intrusive thoughts) and that cognitive processing predicted improvement in affect.Conclusions: Greater time spent talking with family and friends about treatment options may provide opportunities for patients to cope with their cancer diagnosis and facilitate cognitive processing, which may improve patient distress over time. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Adjustment of caregivers of pediatric patients with brain tumors: a cross‐sectional analysis
Authors: Hutchinson Katherine C. , Willard Victoria W. , Hardy Kristina K. , Bonner Melanie J. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractObjective: The purpose of the study was to compare the psychological adjustment of caregivers of children with brain tumors who are on‐treatment with caregivers of children who are off‐treatment.Methods: Data were collected from 90 participants: 47 (52.2%) caregivers of children undergoing active treatment (on‐treatment) and 43 (47.8%) caregivers of children off‐treatment on measures of global psychological distress and illness and caregiving related distress.Results: Results revealed that the two groups differed significantly in their reported symptoms of general psychological distress, with the off‐treatment caregivers reporting significantly lower levels of general distress. However, off‐treatment caregivers continued to experience elevated levels of uncertainty and caregiving burden related to their child's illness.Conclusions: There is significant evidence suggesting that the burden of caring for a child with a brain tumor is ongoing, continuing well into the off‐treatment period. These results also suggest that the psychosocial functioning of these caregivers is best assessed using measures designed specifically to evaluate illness‐related psychosocial functioning (e.g. the Parent Experience of Child Illness, Impact on Family Scale). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crosscheck mechanism to identify malicious nodes in ad hoc networks
Authors: Su Xu , Boppana Rajendra V. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractRoute falsification attacks are easy to launch in mobile ad hoc networks with on demand routing protocols that employ network‐wide flooding of control packets for route discoveries. To mitigate such attacks, we propose ap‐hop crosscheck mechanism, which requires nodesp,p ≥ 2, hops apart to authenticate and verify route reply packets using pairwise shared keys. This mechanism can detect route falsification by non‐colluding malicious nodes on‐the‐fly; furthermore, it can identify a group of at mostp+1 nodes that contain the malicious nodes that caused the route falsification. Unlike intrusion detection techniques, which require extensive monitoring and sampling, the proposed crosscheck mechanism is light‐weight and fast and hence can be used to augment the existing secure routing protocols and improve intrusion detection capability. We implement a two‐hopcrosscheck for an on demand ad hoc network routing protocol. Using simulations, we show that the two‐hopcrosscheck mitigates attacks by multiple malicious nodes with negligible impact on performance. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robust optimum design of tuned mass dampers for high‐rise buildings under moderate earthquakes
Authors: Marano Giuseppe Carlo , Greco Rita 
Published: August 2008

AbstractIn the present study the optimum design of tuned‐mass‐damper (TMD) devices used for the vibration control of high‐rise buildings subject to moderate earthquakes is developed. For these structures a large acceleration demand can produce damage in equipment and contents: therefore, the performance of TMD will be based on the capacity of reducing this structural response. In order to maximize the performance and the efficiency of the TMD strategy, the ratio between the absolute accelerations of the protected and of the unprotected systems is assumed as objective function in the optimum design.The method is carried out in a stochastic way and a stationary‐filtered stochastic process is assumed to model the seismic action. Since the main disadvantage of using a single TMD is the mistuning related to errors in the evaluation of the natural frequency of the main structure, an uncertainty is introduced for this structural parameter, which is modelled as a random variable. Uncertainties in other structural mechanical properties and in TMD are neglected. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Earthquake analysis of reinorced concrete minarets using ambient vibration test results
Authors: Bayraktar Alemdar , Sevim Bariş , Altunişik Ahmet Can , Türker Temel 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThis paper describes a Turkish style reinforced concrete minaret, its finite element model, modal testing, finite element model updating and earthquake behaviour, before and after model updating. The minaret of a mosque located in Trabzon, Turkey is selected as an application. A three‐dimensional (3D) model of the minaret and its modal analysis is performed to obtain analytical frequencies and mode shapes using ANSYS finite element program. The ambient vibration tests are conducted on the minaret under natural excitations such as wind effects and human movement. The output‐only modal parameter identification is carried out by Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition and Stochastic Subspace Identification methods in Operational Modal Analysis software and in doing so, dynamic characteristics (natural frequencies, mode shapes and damping ratios) are determined. A 3D finite element model of the minaret is updated to minimize the differences between analytical and experimental modal properties by changing some uncertain modelling parameters such as material properties and boundary conditions. The earthquake behaviour of the minaret is investigated using 1992 Erzincan earthquake before and after finite element model updating. Maximum differences in the natural frequencies are reduced from 21% to 8%, and good agreement is found between analytical and experimental natural frequencies. In addition to this, it is realized that finite element model updating is effective on the earthquake behaviour of the minaret. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Franz Kaspar Hesselbach (1759–1816): Anatomist and Surgeon
Authors: Tubbs R. Shane , Gribben Walter B. , Loukas Marios , Shoja Mohammadali M. , Tubbs Kevin O. , Oakes W. Jerry 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAlthough the term Hesselbach’s triangle is used in everyday general surgical practice, little is written and known regarding the life of the early surgical pioneer for whom it is named. The present paper reviews the life of the German Franz Kaspar Hesselbach (1759–1816) and his contributions to the anatomical sciences and practice of surgery.
Thyrotropin Level and Thyroid Volume for Prediction of Hypothyroidism Following Hemithyroidectomy in an Asian Patient Cohort
Authors: Moon Hyeong‐Gon , Jung Eun‐Jung , Park Soon‐Tae , Jung Tae Sik , Jeong Chi‐Young , Ju Young‐Tae , Lee Young‐Joon , Hong Soon‐Chan , Choi Sang‐Kyung , Ha Woo‐Song 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackgroundAs more patients undergo diagnostic thyroid surgery, the development of posthemithyroidectomy hypothyroidism is becoming a major concern. We hypothesized that the preoperative thyrotropin (thyroid‐stimulating hormone, TSH) level and ultrasonographically measured thyroid volume, both commonly available in thyroid nodule patients, may predict the development of posthemithyroidectomy hypothyroidism.MethodAmong the 132 patients who underwent hemithyroidectomy from January 2004 to January 2006, a total of 101 patients who were followed for more than a year were included in the analysis.ResultsBiochemical hypothyroidism developed in 37 patients (36.6%). Patients who developed postoperative hypothyroidism showed higher TSH levels (P < 0.001) and smaller remnant thyroid volumes (P = 0.014). Logistic regression analysis showed that the TSH level and remnant thyroid volume were independent predictors of posthemithyroidectomy hypothyroidism (P < 0.001 and P = 0.04, respectively). A risk scoring system using these two factors was created based on the results of logistic regression analyses. The incidences of hypothyroidism were 5.3%, 12.1%, 51.7%, and 85.0% according to the risk scores of 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively.ConclusionsPatients with a high preoperative TSH level and small thyroid volume are at high risk of developing hypothyroidism following hemithyroidectomy. Potential risk of postoperative hypothyroidism should be discussed with these patients when thyroid surgery is being considered for a diagnostic purpose.
Total Acid Number Determination of Biodiesel and Biodiesel Blends
Authors: Wang Huali , Tang Haiying , Wilson John , Salley Steven O. , Ng K. Y. Simon 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThe repeatability and accuracy of the total acid number (TAN) measurement for soy oil‐based biodiesel–diesel blends using the ASTM D664 method was studied. ASTM D664 is the standard reference method for measuring the acid number of both biodiesel and petroleum‐derived diesel, which specifies procedures for the determination of acidic components in biodiesel and diesel, and claims good repeatability and mediocre reproducibility during application, but cites no information on accuracy. However, the accuracy of this method is very important for setting the specifications for biodiesel blends, especially for B20 (a mixture composed of 20% biodiesel with 80% diesel) because of its wide commercial production. The accuracy of ASTM D664 was measured to be within 4.13% for B20 in the acid number range of 0.123–0.332 mg KOH/g. The maximum repeatability was approximately 5.21% at an acid number of 0.123 mg KOH/g. Within the ASTM D6751‐07b specification for TAN (0.5 mg KOH/g), good accuracy and repeatability were also obtained. Accuracy specification and electrode operation suggestions for ASTM D664 are also given.
Populationsgenetik des Y-Chromosoms
Authors: Roewer L. 
Published: August 2008

Zusammenfassung
Das Y-Chromosom ist der variabelste haploide Marker im menschlichen Genom. Es eignet sich daher besonders für Studien der Evolution und Demografie einer sehr jungen Spezies wie Homo sapiens sapiens. SNPs („single nucleotide polymorphisms“) und Mikrosatelliten (STR, „short tandem repeats“) des Y-Chromosoms spielen für die Rekonstruktion von Episoden der jüngeren Humanevolution eine herausragende Rolle. Die phylogeografische Analyse des Y-Chromosoms leistet heute einen wichtigen Beitrag zur genetischen Charakterisierung von Populationen, zur Interpretation forensischer Spuren sowie zum Verständnis prähistorischer Epochen, aus denen keine oder kaum Artefakte existieren.
Mechanismen und Auswirkungen natürlicher Selektion
Authors: Lao O. , Kayser M. 
Published: August 2008

ZusammenfassungNatürliche Selektion bezeichnet das Phänomen der genotypabhängigen Reproduktivität. Selektion stellt somit einen evolutionären Mechanismus dar, bei dem die Variabilität funktioneller Regionen im Genom einer Spezies durch Wechselwirkungen einzelner Organismen mit ihrer Umwelt geprägt wird. Die Weitergabe genetischer Varianten von einer Generation an die nächste kann durch natürliche Selektion begünstigt (positive Selektion), erschwert (negative Selektion) oder, in Abhängigkeit davon, ob eine Mutation rein- oder mischerbig vorliegt, begünstigt oder erschwert (balancierende Selektion) werden. Positive und negative Selektion verringern die Diversität funktioneller Bereiche und damit assoziierter Abschnitte des Genoms, balancierende Selektion erhöht diese. Das Studium natürlicher Selektion dient hauptsächlich dem evolutionären Verständnis, es kann jedoch auch medizinisch relevante Informationen liefern.
The initiation of homeless youth into the street economy
Authors: Gwadz Marya Viorst , Gostnell Karla , Smolenski Carol , Willis Brian , Nish David , Nolan Theresa C. , Tharaken Maya , Ritchie Amanda S. 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTHomeless youth (HY) who lack employment in the formal economy typically turn to the street economy (e.g., prostitution, drug selling) for survival. Guided by the theory of social control, the present paper explores factors influencing HY's initiation into the street economy. Eighty HY (ages 15–23) were recruited from four community‐based organizations. All participated in structured interviews and 25% participated in qualitative interviews. Almost all HY had participated in the street (81%) and formal economies (69%). Five main factors simultaneously influenced initiation into the street economy: social control/bonds, barriers to the formal economy (e.g., homelessness, educational deficits, mental health problems, incarceration, stigma), tangible and social/emotional benefits of the street economy, severe economic need, and the active recruitment of HY into the street economy by others. Qualitative and quantitative data sources were congruent. Intervention efforts are needed at multiple levels of influence to promote HY's success in the formal economy.
Quality‐adjusted life year weights among elderly patients with heart failure
Authors: Alehagen Urban , Rahmqvist Mikael , Paulsson Thomas , Levin Lars‐Åke 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackground:When assessing health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in elderly patients with heart failure (HF), the process of obtaining quality‐adjusted life year (QALY) weights is generally complicated and time‐consuming.Aim:To evaluate whether information regarding HRQoL and QALY weights can be derived directly from the established and widely used New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification system.Methods:NYHA functional status was assessed independently both by the individual patients and by the examining cardiologist in 323 elderly patients with symptoms of HF recruited from primary care. HRQoL was evaluated using the SF‐36 questionnaire and a time trade‐off (TTO) scenario. The TTO technique generates direct QALY weights.Results:Both the TTO technique and SF‐36 values demonstrated a statistically significant correlation with NYHA functional status. The TTO values also correlated with all SF‐36 dimensions. Increasing impairment was associated with statistically significant drops in both SF‐36 values and TTO‐based QALY weights. For patients in NYHA classes I–IV the QALY weights were 0.77, 0.68, 0.61, and 0.50, respectively. Thus in elderly patients, symptoms of HF have a major impact on perceived quality of life.Conclusion:The results of the present study show that QALY weights, an important instrument in the health economic evaluation of treatment strategies, can be derived directly from NYHA classification in elderly HF patients.
Long term vagal stimulation in patients with advanced heart failure First experience in man
Authors: Schwartz Peter J. , De Ferrari Gaetano M. , Sanzo Antonio , Landolina Maurizio , Rordorf Roberto , Raineri Claudia , Campana Carlo , Revera Miriam , Ajmone‐Marsan Nina , Tavazzi Luigi , Odero Attilio 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackground:Experimentally, vagal stimulation (VS) is protective in chronic heart failure (HF). In man, VS is used in refractory epilepsy but has never been used in cardiovascular diseases. Increased sympathetic and reduced vagal activity predict increased mortality in HF.Aims:This pilot study assessed feasibility and safety and tested possible efficacy of chronic VS in HF patients.Methods:We studied 8 patients (mean age 54 years). CardioFit (BioControl Medical), a VS implantable system delivering pulses synchronous with heart beats through a multiple contact bipolar cuff electrode, was used. VS was started 2–4 weeks after implant, slowly raising intensity; patients were followed 1, 3 and 6 months thereafter.Results:All procedures were successful: as sole surgical side effect, one patient had transient hoarseness. VS was well tolerated, with onlymild side effects (cough and sensation of electrical stimulation). There was a significant improvement in NYHA class, Minnesota quality of life® (from 52±14 to 31±18, p<0.001), left ventricular end‐systolic volume (from 208±71 to 190±83 ml, p=0.03), and a favourable trend toward reduction in enddiastolic volume.Conclusions:This novel approach to the treatment of patients with HF is feasible, and appears safe and tolerable. The preliminary efficacy results appear promising. These findings suggest the opportunity to proceed with a larger multicentre study.
Decision‐analytic evaluation of the clinical effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness of management programmes in chronic heart failure
Authors: Göhler Alexander , Conrads‐Frank Annette , Worrell Stewart S. , Geisler Benjamin P. , Halpern Elkan F. , Dietz Rainer , Anker Stefan D. , Gazelle G. Scott , Siebert Uwe 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackground and aims:While management programmes (MPs) for chronic heart failure (CHF) are clinically effective, their cost‐effectiveness remains uncertain. Thus, this study sought to determine the cost‐effectiveness of MPs.Methods and results:We developed a Markov model to estimate life expectancy, quality‐adjusted life expectancy, lifetime costs, and the incremental cost‐effectiveness of MPs as compared to standard care. Standard care was defined by the EuroHeart Failure Survey for Germany, MP efficacy was derived from our recent meta‐analysis and cost estimates were based on the German healthcare system. For a population with a mean age 67 years (35% female) at onset of CHF, our model predicted an average quality‐adjusted life expectancy of 2.64 years for standard care and 2.83 years for MP. MP yielded additional lifetime costs of €1700 resulting in an incremental cost‐utility ratio (ICUR) of €8900 (95% CI: dominant to 177,100) per quality‐adjusted life year (QALY) gained. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that the ICUR was sensitive to age and sex.Conclusion:MPs increase life expectancy in patients with CHF by an average of 84 days and increase lifetime cost of care by approximately €1700. MPs improve outcomes in a cost‐effective manner, although they are not cost‐saving on a lifetime horizon.
Perception and use of complementary and alternative medicine among gynecologic oncology care providers
Authors: Rhode Jennifer M. , Patel Divya A. , Sen Ananda , Schimp Veronica L. , Johnston Carolyn M. , Liu J. Rebecca 
Published: August 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo determine general attitudes and approaches to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among physicians who care for gynecologic oncology patients.MethodsSurveys were mailed to members of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists and the Michigan Oncology Group. Physicians were asked to rate their general attitude toward CAM.ResultsSurveys were obtained from 462 physicians. Gynecologic oncologists and female physicians were more likely to have positive attitudes toward CAM, and to believe that clinical care should integrate conventional and CAM practices, compared with other oncologists and male physicians.ConclusionDiscrepancies exist among oncologists regarding attitude and use of CAM in their practice. Education of physicians regarding the safety and efficacy of CAM modalities may ultimately improve patient care.
Patient satisfaction with outpatient hysteroscopy performed by nurse hysteroscopists
Authors: Bodle Julia F. , Duffy Sean R.G. , Binney David M. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the effect of the introduction of nurse hysteroscopists on patient satisfaction at an outpatient hysteroscopy clinic in the United Kingdom.MethodsSatisfaction with outpatient hysteroscopy performed in a University Teaching Hospital was measured using an anonymous structured questionnaire in 2000 and 2005. The unpaired t test, Mann‐Whitney U test, or test was used depending on the level of measurement.ResultsA total of 102 women surveyed in 2005 were compared with 139 women surveyed in 2000. Age, ethnicity, perceived health status, previous satisfaction with outpatient appointments, and expectations of the appointment did not differ between the groups. Waiting time for an appointment and once at the clinic fell during the study period (P < 0.001); satisfaction increased with the former (P < 0.001), but not the latter (P = 0.25). Satisfaction with the professional skills of healthcare providers and overall satisfaction was 95% or greater in both years.ConclusionHigh levels of patient satisfaction with outpatient hysteroscopy were maintained after the introduction of nurse hysteroscopists.
Anti-carcinogenic soyabean Bowman–Birk inhibitors survive faecal fermentation in their active form and do not affect the microbiota composition in vitro
Authors: Marín-Manzano M. Carmen , Ruiz Raquel , Jiménez Elisabeth , Rubio Luis A. , Clemente Alfonso 
Published: August 2008

Bowman–Birk inhibitor (BBI) from soyabeans is a naturally occurring protease inhibitor with potential anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive properties within the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). In a previous paper, we reported that significant amounts of BBI-related proteins reach the terminal ileum functionally and biologically active. We have now investigated: (a) if soyabean BBI is biotransformed by faecal microbiota which would reduce its potential colorectal chemopreventive properties and (b) the potential influence of this protease inhibitor on the modulation of faecal microbiota. In vitro incubation studies of native soyabean BBI at a physiological level (93 μm) with mixed faecal samples of pigs for 24 h at 37°C demonstrated that BBI remains active and its intrinsic trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitory activities were not significantly influenced by the enzymic or metabolic activity of faecal microbiota. Soyabean BBI did not affect the growth of the different bacterial groups studied (lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, bacteroides, coliforms, enterobacteria, clostridia and total anaerobes). It was concluded that protease inhibitory activities, intrinsically linked to the chemopreventive properties of soyabean BBI, were largely unaffected by faecal microbiota in vitro. BBI retains significance, therefore, as a bioactive compound in the human GIT.