bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Living with chronic hepatitis C means `you just haven't got a normal life any more'
Authors: Conrad S. , Garrett L.E. , Cooksley W.G.E. , Dunne M.P. , Macdonald G.A. 
Published: June 2007

Objective: To explore psychosocial factors that impact on quality of life for people living with self-reported chronic hepatitis C. Methods: A purposeful sample of 70 people who were self-identified as being hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive was recruited through a variety of institutions and community agencies. Semi-structured interviews were held with 12 groups and 21 individuals. A qualitative grounded-theory methodology was used for data collection and analysis. Experiences of physical and psychological symptoms, stigma and discrimination, and living with an infectious disease, were explored using matrices. Results: Phenomena emerging from the data included previously undocumented illness `attacks' that were associated with depressive symptoms and a perception of hepatitis C as fatal. Uncertainty related to disease progression and transmission of the virus were common experiences among participants. A universal experience was fear and anxiety about stigma and discrimination. Discussion: The findings of this study indicate that chronic hepatitis C has a pervasive impact on quality of life with a complexity that has not been explored with quantitative research approaches. Primary healthcare professionals need to be alert to the psychological and social impacts of chronic hepatitis C and to avoid behaviours that lead to perceptions of stigma and discrimination. The research indicates a need for further investigation into the relationship between psychosocial factors, disease management and disease progression.
Virtual reality environments for post-stroke arm rehabilitation
Authors: Subramanian Sandeep , Knaut Luiz A , Beaudoin Christian , McFadyen Bradford J , Feldman Anatol G , Levin Mindy F 
Published: June 2007

Abstract

Introduction
Optimal practice and feedback elements are essential requirements for maximal motor recovery in patients with motor deficits due to central nervous system lesions.

Methods
A virtual environment (VE) was created that incorporates practice and feedback elements necessary for maximal motor recovery. It permits varied and challenging practice in a motivating environment that provides salient feedback.

Results
The VE gives the user knowledge of results feedback about motor behavior and knowledge of performance feedback about the quality of pointing movements made in a virtual elevator. Movement distances are related to length of body segments.

Conclusion
We describe an immersive and interactive experimental protocol developed in a virtual reality environment using the CAREN system. The VE can be used as a training environment for the upper limb in patients with motor impairments.
Impact of Renal Disease on Natriuretic Peptide Testing for Diagnosing Decompensated Heart Failure and Predicting Mortality
Authors: deFilippi Christopher R , Seliger Stephen L , Maynard Susan , Christenson Robert H 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
Background: Concomitant occurrence of kidney disease (KD) and heart failure (HF) is common and associated with poor outcomes. Natriuretic peptide studies have typically excluded many individuals with KD. We compared the accuracy of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) for diagnosing decompensated HF and predicting mortality across the spectrum of renal function.
Methods: BNP and NT-proBNP were prospectively measured in a cohort of 831 dyspnea patients. KD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate &lt;60 mL · min−1 · (1.73 m2)−1. The accuracy and predictive value of each test for diagnosing decompensated HF and predicting all-cause 1-year mortality were assessed by ROC area under the curve (AUC) and multivariate regression analysis.
Results: Among the 831 dyspnea patients, 393 (47%) had KD. The diagnostic accuracies of BNP and NT-proBNP in detecting decompensated HF were similar to each other in patients without KD (AUC 0.75 vs 0.74, respectively; P = 0.60) and in patients with KD (AUC 0.68 vs 0.66; P = 0.10). One-year mortality rates were 36.3% and 19.0% in those with and without KD, respectively (P &lt;0.001). Progressively higher BNP and NT-proBNP concentrations remained predictive of increased mortality in KD patients. Compared with the lowest quartile, quartile 4 of BNP had an adjusted hazards ratio (HR) of 2.6 (95% CI 1.4–4.8; P = 0.004 for trend) and NT-proBNP quartile 4 had an HR of 4.5 (95% CI 2.0–10.2; P &lt;0.001 for trend). Only NT-proBNP remained a predictor of death after adjustment for clinical confounders and the other natriuretic peptide marker.
Conclusions: NT-proBNP and BNP are equivalent predictors of decompensated HF across a spectrum of renal function, but NT-proBNP is a superior predictor of mortality.
Simultaneous Analysis of d- and l-Serine in Cerebrospinal Fluid by Use of HPLC
Authors: Sethuraman Rama , Krishnamoorthy Malathi G , Lee Tat-Leang , Liu Eugene Hern C , Chiang Siau , Nishimura Wataru , Sakai Masato , Minami Toshiaki , Tachibana Shinro 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
Background: d-Serine is a coagonist for the glycine-binding site of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors and has been implicated in various neuropsychiatric functions such as learning, memory, and nociception, as well as schizophrenia and Alzheimer disease. We developed an HPLC method for d- and l-serine in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Methods: The dabsylated racemic serine peak, automatically collected using a previously reported HPLC separation process for CSF amino acids, was desalted and subjected to a chiral resolution HPLC step with a Sumichiral column using an ultraviolet-visible detector.
Results: The limits of quantification (signal-to-noise ratio = 10) for d- and l-serine were 0.8 and 1.3 μmol/L, respectively. The mean imprecision values (CVs) for within-day measurements of d- and l-serine were 2.1% and 1.8%, respectively, and for between-day were 6.2% and 6.6%. Mean recovery of CSF serine (sum of d-serine + l-serine) applied to the Sumichiral column was 87%. The mean (SD) d-serine concentrations in 45 CSF samples obtained from 16 patients with chronic pain due to degenerative osteoarthritis of the knees, 16 with postherpetic neuralgia, and 13 with no pain were, respectively, 3.97 (0.44), 1.85 (0.21), and 2.72 (0.32) μmol/L.
Conclusion: d- and l-serine can be quantified with ultraviolet-visible detection of dabsyl derivatives. The dabsyl derivatives are stable and allow duplicate analysis of CSF samples in multisample runs.
Botulinum Toxin (Botox) to Enhance Facial Macroesthetics: A Literature Review
Authors: Dastoor Sarosh F. , Misch Carl E. , Wang Hom-Lay 
Published: June 2007

AbstractDental implants have emerged as a predictable treatment option for partial edentulism. Their ability to preserve bone and soft tissue yields highly esthetic results in the long term. Increasingly, patients are demanding not only enhancements to their dental (micro) esthetics but also to their overall facial (macro) esthetics. Dynamic wrinkles (caused by hyperfunctional muscles) in the perioral, glabellar, and forehead regions can cause a patient's expressions to be misinterpreted as angry, anxious, fearful, or fatigued. An emerging treatment option to address these issues is the use of a paralyzing material such as botulinum toxin A (Botox) to decrease the appearance of the wrinkles, which yields a more esthetic and youthful facial appearance. Botox is a deadly poison that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum and causes muscle paralysis by inhibiting acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction. When used in areas of hyperfunctional muscles, a transient partial paralysis occurs that diminishes the appearances of wrinkles, Therefore, wrinkles not attributable to hyperfunctional muscles (eg, wrinkles caused by aging, gravity, photodamage, trauma, and scarring) will not be amenable to treatment with the toxin. As a result, proper case selection is essential. A thorough understanding of the indications, techniques, dosages, and complications and their management is imperative to achieve a satisfactory result. This article will review the pathogenesis of facial wrinkles as well as the history, techniques, clinical controversies, and other important considerations for successful treatment of facial wrinkles with Botox.
The Effects of Soluble Growth Factors on Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation Inside of Fibrin Scaffolds
Authors: Willerth Stephanie M. , Faxel Tracy E. , Gottlieb David I. , Sakiyama-Elbert Shelly E. 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
The goal of this research was to determine the effects of different growth factors on the survival and differentiation of murine embryonic stem cell-derived neural progenitor cells (ESNPCs) seeded inside of fibrin scaffolds. Embryoid bodies were cultured for 8 days in suspension, retinoic acid was applied for the final 4 days to induce ESNPC formation, and then the EBs were seeded inside of three-dimensional fibrin scaffolds. Scaffolds were cultured in the presence of media containing different doses of the following growth factors: neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AA, ciliary neurotrophic factor, and sonic hedgehog (Shh). The cell phenotypes were characterized using fluorescence-activated cell sorting and immunohistochemistry after 14 days of culture. Cell viability was also assessed at this time point. Shh (10 ng/ml) and NT-3 (25 ng/ml) produced the largest fractions of neurons and oligodendrocytes, whereas PDGF (2 and 10 ng/ml) and bFGF (10 ng/ml) produced an increase in cell viability after 14 days of culture. Combinations of growth factors were tested based on the results of the individual growth factor studies to determine their effect on cell differentiation. The incorporation of ESNPCs and growth factors into fibrin scaffolds may serve as potential treatment for spinal cord injury.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
A CD133-Expressing Murine Liver Oval Cell Population with Bilineage Potential
Authors: Rountree C. Bart , Barsky Lora , Ge Shundi , Zhu Judy , Senadheera Shantha , Crooks Gay M. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractAlthough oval cells are postulated to be adult liver stem cells, a well-defined phenotype of a bipotent liver stem cell remains elusive. The heterogeneity of cells within the oval cell fraction has hindered lineage potential studies. Our goal was to identify an enriched population of bipotent oval cells using a combination of flow cytometry and single cell gene expression in conjunction with lineage-specific liver injury models. Expression of cell surface markers on nonparenchymal, nonhematopoietic (CD45−) cells were characterized. Cell populations were isolated by flow cytometry for gene expression studies. 3,5-Diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine toxic injury induced cell cycling and expansion specifically in the subpopulation of oval cells in the periportal zone that express CD133. CD133+CD45− cells expressed hepatoblast and stem cell-associated genes, and single cells coexpressed both hepatocyte and cholangiocyte-associated genes, indicating bilineage potential. CD133+CD45− cells proliferated in response to liver injury. Following toxic hepatocyte damage, CD133+CD45− cells demonstrated upregulated expression of the hepatocyte gene Albumin. In contrast, toxic cholangiocyte injury resulted in upregulation of the cholangiocyte gene Ck19. After 21–28 days in culture, CD133+CD45− cells continued to generate cells of both hepatocyte and cholangiocyte lineages. Thus, CD133 expression identifies a population of oval cells in adult murine liver with the gene expression profile and function of primitive, bipotent liver stem cells. In response to lineage-specific injury, these cells demonstrate a lineage-appropriate genetic response. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Humanizing Democracy: Matthew Arnold’s Nineteenth-Century Call for a Common, Higher, Educative Pursuit of Happiness and Its Relevance to Twenty-first-Century Democratic Life
Authors: Novak Bruce 
Published: June 2007

Editor’s Note: This article continues the focus of our special issue theme of Summer 2002— Education and Democracy.Democratic educational reform should promote full-bodied democratic life. To help address the limited vision of humanity prevailing in the current wave of educational reforms—reforms that are being undertaken in the name of democracy while they promote undemocratic and pusillanimous forms of human life—this essay examines a nineteenth-century recommendation for democratic educational reform calling for a broadly accessible liberal education to cultivate a magnanimous and civic-minded democratic populace. This old vision might begin to provide us with a new road map for the reforms being undertaken in our own time, encouraging us to seek—far beyond mechanical measurements of mechanical performances—the standards of cultural, civic, and spiritual enlargement that we must collectively understand and strive toward if we wish to use democratic educational reform to help constitute a bona fide democracy.
A Changing Terrain of Knowledge and Power: A Social Epistemology of Educational Research
Authors: Popkewitz Thomas S. 
Published: June 2007

In the past decade, important struggles about the production of knowledge have taken place in history, the social sciences, and education. These struggles involve more than the “knowledge interests” that Habermas pointed to in the 1970s; instead, they point to important epistemological ruptures in the doctrines of “reason” that have dominated social and political debates since the late 19th century. This questioning reaches into the presuppositions of progress and power underlying intellectual work. This article explores some of the main features of the controversies about knowledge by turning first to certain assumptions that guided social theory at least since the 19th century. The assumptions relate, for example, to the focus on human action (and agents) as purpose or explanation of theory, to the conceptualization of space and time, to the introduction of change as a problem of the administration of time (the control of process and development), and to the inscription of political and social doctrines of progress into science. My interest here, however, is not only in the disciplinary struggles, but also in the changing social conditions that make these debates possible. I look at the systems of reasoning in educational studies as social practices—what I have previously called “a social epistemology.” When we examine current discussions against 19th century assumptions about social theory, we are able to understand that the stakes of educational research are social and political as well as epistemological.
A comparative study of population management approaches in infectious disease control, population management of fisheries and wildlife, and integrated pest management in agriculture
Authors: Matsuda Hiroyuki , Watanabe Akira 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis paper provides a comprehensive study on the similarities and differences between infectious disease control in public health and various population management approaches, including fisheries resource management, wildlife management, and integrated pest management in agriculture. We aim to identify key strategies, and potential synergies that can contribute to the development of population management strategies within these domains. For example, scientists provide options but leave policy making itself to stakeholders, choose monitoring indicators with as little time lag or change thresholds between increasing and decreasing phases to account for time lag, consider economic feasibility, and clarify accountability, which are common to all fields. There are many elements to incorporate methods from other fields while making use of the accumulation gained in each field.
Laser‐Induced Real‐Space Topology Control of Spin Wave Resonances
Authors: Titze Tim , Koraltan Sabri , Schmidt Timo , Möller Marcel , Bruckner Florian , Abert Claas , Suess Dieter , Ropers Claus , Steil Daniel , Albrecht Manfred , Mathias Stefan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractFemtosecond laser excitation of materials exhibiting magnetic spin textures promises advanced magnetic control via the generation of non‐equilibrium spin dynamics. Ferrimagnetic [Fe(0.35 nm)/Gd(0.40 nm)]160 multilayers are used to explore this approach, as they host a rich diversity of magnetic textures from stripe domains at low magnetic fields, a dense bubble/skyrmion lattice at intermediate fields, and a single domain state for high magnetic fields. Using femtosecond magneto‐optics, distinct coherent spin wave dynamics are observed in this material in response to a weak laser excitation, enabling an unambiguous identification of the different magnetic spin textures. Moreover, employing strong laser excitation, versatile control of the coherent spin dynamics via non‐equilibrium transformation of magnetic spin textures becomes possible by both creating and annihilating bubbles/skyrmions. Micromagnetic simulations and Lorentz transmission electron microscopy with in situ optical excitation corroborate these findings.
Targeting Vascular Destruction by Sonosensitizer‐Free Sonocatalytic Nanomissiles Instigates Thrombus Aggregation and Nutrition Deprivation to Starve Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: He Yazhi , Wang Taixia , Song Yiran , Fang Chao , Wang Yang , Dong Xiulin , Wang Yurui , Yu Tianyu , Shi Yang , Zhang Fan , Zhang Kun , Wang Feng 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSonosensitizers in current sonodynamic therapy (SDT) often suffer from poor delivery efficiency, phototoxicity, and disputed safety. To overcome these issues, a sonosensitizers‐free sonocatalytic nanomissile is constructed, wherein PLGA nanoparticles as vehicles conjugate with L‐arginine (LA) and aptamer XQ2d capable of adsorbing CO2 and targeting CD71‐overexpressed pancreatic cancer, respectively. The adsorbed CO2 can respond to acidic tumor microenvironment and local ultrasound to release CO2 bubbles and enhance ultrasound‐triggered inertial cavitation, which can further split H2O and activate dissolved O2 to produce ·OH and 1O2, respectively, unlocking the sonosensitizers‐free sonocatalytic ROS birth. Moreover, such CO2 bubbles‐enhanced inertial cavitation also can target intratumoral vascular destruction, instigate thrombus aggregation, induce nutrition and oxygen deprivation, pose hypoxia and alter tumor metabolism, thus establishing an intratumoral vascular destruction‐targeted starvation therapy. The strategy is different from previous starvation therapy in which the presence of undamaged intratumoral blood vessels compromises their outcomes. Especially, the active targeting aptamer XQ2d allows more sonosensitizer‐free sonocatalytic nanomissiles to retain in pancreatic cancer, significantly magnifying the sonosensitizers‐free sonocatalytic therapy and starvation therapy against subcutaneous and orthotopic pancreatic cancers. Therefore, the research provides a promising route and therapeutic platform for clinical pancreatic cancer therapy.
High‐Performance CaMg2Bi2‐Based Thermoelectric Materials Driven by Lattice Softening and Orbital Alignment via Cadmium Doping
Authors: Liu Ming , Guo Muchun , Zhu Jianbo , Zeng Xincheng , Chen Hong , Yuan Donglin , Zhang Qinyong , Cai Fanggong , Guo Fengkai , Zhu Yuke , Dong Xingyan , Cai Wei , Zhang Yongsheng , Yu Yuan , Sui Jiehe 
Published: March 2024

AbstractZintl compounds such as n‐type Mg3(Sb,Bi)2 show promising thermoelectric applications benefiting from their high valley degeneracy and low lattice thermal conductivity. However, the heavier p‐type AMg2X2 (A = Ca, and Yb; X = Bi and Sb) Zintl counterparts even exhibit a higher κlat due to strong chemical bonding. Reducing κlat of AMg2X2 is an important route for improving thermoelectric performance. Herein, it is found that Cd doping at the Mg site in CaMg2Bi2 can weaken intralayer covalent bonds and soften acoustic phonons, as well as fill the optical phonon gap. These effects result in large atomic displacement, low phonon group velocity, and strong lattice vibration anharmonicity. Doping 10% Cd leads to a reduction of 56% in the κlat of CaMg2Bi2. Moreover, Cd doping promotes orbital alignment and thus increases the density‐of‐states effective mass and Seebeck coefficient. Eventually, in conjunction with carrier concentration optimization by Na doping and band structure engineering by Ba doping, a high ZT of ≈1.3 at 873 K in (Ca0.85Ba0.15)0.995Na0.005Mg1.85Cd0.15Bi2 sample is realized. This work highlights the significant role of manipulating chemical bonding in suppressing phonon propagation of semiconductors.
Tuning the Electronic Property of Reconstructed Atomic Ni‐CuO Cluster Supported on N/O‐C for Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution
Authors: Li Xinran , Liu Yang‐Yi , Li Cheng , Xue Huaiguo , Chen Songqing , Xu Qiang , Pang Huan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractElectrochemical activation usually accompanies in situ atom rearrangement forming new catalytic sites with higher activity due to reconstructed atomic clusters or amorphous phases with abundant dangling bonds, vacancies, and defects. By harnessing the pre‐catalytic process of reconstruction, a multilevel structure of CuNi alloy nanoparticles encapsulated in N‐doped carbon (CuNi nanoalloy@N/C) transforms into a highly active compound of Ni‐doped CuO nanocluster supported on (N/O‐C) co‐doped C. Both the exposure of accessible active sites and the activity of individual active sites are greatly improved after the pre‐catalytic reconstruction. Manipulating the Cu/Ni ratios of CuNi nanoalloy@N/C can tailor the electronic property and d‐band center of the high‐active compound, which greatly optimizes the energetics of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) intermediates. This interplay among Cu, Ni, C, N, and O modifies the interface, triggers the active sites, and regulates the work functions, thereby realizing a synergistic boost in OER.
Defect‐Driven Reconstruction of Na‐Ion Diffusion Channels Enabling High‐Performance Co‐Doped TiO2 Anodes for Na‐Ion Hybrid Capacitors
Authors: Feng Wenliang , Meng Chenchen , Guo Xiaolong , Wu Bin , Sui Xulei , Wang Zhenbo 
Published: March 2024

AbstractNa‐ion hybrid capacitors (NICs) are known for their potential to integrate high power and energy density along with superior lifespan into a single energy storage device. However, the practical implementation of NICs is delayed due to their inadequate energy densities (<100 Wh kg−1), which is a result of the lack of anodes with rapid Na‐ion diffusion kinetics to match the cathodes. To accelerate Na‐ion diffusion kinetics, cobalt‐doped TiO2 (CoxTi1−xOy) nanosheet anodes with reconstructed low‐energy barrier channels for Na‐ion transfer are designed. Crystal defects, including nanointerfaces, Ti interstitials, and oxygen vacancies, are intentionally introduced to the CoxTi1−xOy structure to improve its conductivity and induce pseudocapacitive‐type Na‐ion storage. Moreover, these crystal defects subtly alter the Na‐ion transfer pathways in the bulk CoxTi1−xOy and reduce the energy barrier, as confirmed by density functional theory (DFT) simulations. Rapid Na‐ion diffusion kinetics can minimize the kinetics discrepancy between anodes and cathodes, presenting great potential for achieving high‐performance anodes for NIC applications. When integrated with activated carbon/reduced graphene oxide composite (AC/rGO) cathodes, the fabricated NICs demonstrate remarkable energy density (164 Wh kg−1 at 31 W kg−1), power density (8307 W kg−1 at 56 Wh kg−1), and an ultralong lifespan (83% capacity retention after 15000 cycles).