bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Decision making in childbirth: the influence of traditional structures in a Ghanaian village
Authors: Jansen I. 
Published: January 2006

Background:  The regional health administration of the Brong‐Ahafo Region in Ghana identified that although informed about the advantages of both aspects of care, pregnant women made use of antenatal services but not of the supervised delivery. Quantitative studies have identified economic factors that influence the decisions of pregnant women.Aim:  To describe and understand the traditional structures of childbirth in Kwame Danso/Ghana and to explore why the pregnant women do not make use of supervised deliveries in the modern institutions.Methods:  A mini‐ethnographic study, using participant observation and ethnographic interviews.Findings:  Cultural and social factors have a significant influence on the decisions related to childbirth. One of the most important factors identified was that the responsible persons for decisions related to a delivery were the older female relatives, rather than the mothers themselves. Older females used rational judgements to weigh up the possibilities of risks, interests and advantages related to their cultural, spiritual and social system. Other factors were staff behaviour that was characterized as unfriendly and lacking for respect as to the living conditions and thinking of the pregnant women in the village.Conclusions:  Ethnographic research provided an understanding of traditional structures that have an influence on the decisions and behaviour of the community related to childbirth. Appreciation of these structures enabled health promotion and structured health services to be delivered in a more culturally appropriate way.
Dignified dying: phenomenon and actions among nurses in India
Authors: Doorenbos A.Z. , Wilson S.A. , Coenen A. , Borse Nagesh N. 
Published: January 2006

Purpose:  This study contributes to the ongoing efforts of the International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP®) to describe the phenomenon of dignified dying, to describe nursing actions used to promote dignified dying, and to evaluate the validity of a dignified dying scale among practising nurses in India.Design and sample:  This descriptive study surveyed 229 nurses who had cared for dying patients and were currently practising in government and private hospitals in India.Methods:  Nurses were recruited to complete a survey in either Hindi or English. The survey included demographic, open‐ended questions, and a dignified dying scale of Likert‐like items. Nurses also identified nursing interventions used in practice to promote dignified dying.Findings:  The descriptions of dignified dying phenomenon fit within the three major areas of the Dignity‐Conserving Model of Care. A variety of interventions were reported, with more focusing on spiritual than physical factors. The 14 items selected reliably measured dignified dying, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.79. Factor analysis yielded a 4‐factor solution, with 11 items accounting for 56% of the variance.Conclusions:  Nurses in India endorsed spirituality as an essential aspect of the phenomenon of dignified dying. Nursing actions to promote dignified dying supported finding spiritual comfort at end of life. These results contribute to an understanding of nursing phenomena and actions worldwide.
Direct Parametric Inference for the Cumulative Incidence Function
Authors: Jeong Jong-Hyeon , Fine Jason 
Published: January 2006

SummaryIn survival data that are collected from phase III clinical trials on breast cancer, a patient may experience more than one event, including recurrence of the original cancer, new primary cancer and death. Radiation oncologists are often interested in comparing patterns of local or regional recurrences alone as first events to identify a subgroup of patients who need to be treated by radiation therapy after surgery. The cumulative incidence function provides estimates of the cumulative probability of locoregional recurrences in the presence of other competing events. A simple version of the Gompertz distribution is proposed to parameterize the cumulative incidence function directly. The model interpretation for the cumulative incidence function is more natural than it is with the usual cause-specific hazard parameterization. Maximum likelihood analysis is used to estimate simultaneously parametric models for cumulative incidence functions of all causes. The parametric cumulative incidence approach is applied to a data set from the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project and compared with analyses that are based on parametric cause-specific hazard models and nonparametric cumulative incidence estimation.
Estimating Percentile-Specific Treatment Effects in Counterfactual Models: A Case-Study of Micronutrient Supplementation, Birth Weight and Infant Mortality
Authors: Dominici Francesca , Zeger Scott L. , Parmigiani Giovanni , Katz Joanne , Christian Parul 
Published: January 2006

SummaryClinical trials of micronutrient supplementation are aimed at reducing the risk of infant mortality by increasing birth weight. Because infant mortality is greatest among the low birth weight (LBW) infants (2500 g or under), an effective intervention increases the birth weight among the smallest babies. The paper defines population and counterfactual parameters for estimating the treatment effects on birth weight and on survival as functions of the percentiles of the birth weight distribution. We use a Bayesian approach with data augmentation to approximate the posterior distributions of the parameters, taking into account uncertainty that is associated with the imputation of the counterfactuals. This approach is particularly suitable for exploring the sensitivity of the results to unverifiable modelling assumptions and other prior beliefs. We estimate that the average causal effect of the treatment on birth weight is 72 g (95% posterior regions 33–110 g) and that this causal effect is largest among the LBW infants. Posterior inferences about average causal effects of the treatment on birth weight are robust to modelling assumptions. However, inferences about causal effects for babies at the tails of the birth weight distribution can be highly sensitive to the unverifiable assumption about the correl-ation between the observed and the counterfactuals birth weights. Among the LBW infants who have a large causal effect of the treatment on birth weight, we estimate that a baby receiving the treatment has 5% less chance of death than if the same baby had received the control. Among the LBW infants, we found weak evidence supporting an additional beneficial effect of the treatment on mortality independent of birth weight.
Best Subset Selection of Autoregressive Models with Exogenous Variables and Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity Errors
Authors: So Mike K. P. , Chen Cathy W. S. , Liu Feng-Chi 
Published: January 2006

SummaryWe develop an efficient way to select the best subset autoregressive model with exogenous variables and generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity errors. One main feature of our method is to select important autoregressive and exogenous variables, and at the same time to estimate the unknown parameters. The method proposed uses the stochastic search idea. By adopting Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques, we can identify the best subset model from a large of number of possible choices. A simulation experiment shows that the method is very effective. Misspecification in the mean equation can also be detected by our model selection method. In the application to the stock-market data of seven countries, the lagged 1 US return is found to have a strong influence on the other stock-market returns.
Dynamic Factor Analysis with Non-Linear Temporal Aggregation Constraints
Authors: Proietti Tommaso , Moauro Filippo 
Published: January 2006

SummaryThe paper estimates an index of coincident economic indicators for the US economy by using time series with different frequencies of observation (monthly and quarterly, possibly with missing values). The model that is considered is the dynamic factor model that was proposed by Stock and Watson, specified in the logarithms of the original variables and at the monthly frequency, which poses a problem of temporal aggregation with a non-linear observational constraint when quarterly time series are included. Our main methodological contribution is to provide an exact solution to this problem that hinges on conditional mode estimation by iteration of the extended Kalman filtering and smoothing equations. On the empirical side the contribution of the paper is to provide monthly estimates of quarterly indicators, among which is the gross domestic product, that are consistent with the quarterly totals. Two applications are considered: the first dealing with the construction of a coincident index for the US economy, whereas the second does the same with reference to the euro area.
Efficient Survey Sampling of Households via Gaussian Quadrature
Authors: Arndt Channing , Kozlitina Julia , Preckel Paul V. 
Published: January 2006

Summary
The collection of data through surveys is a costly and time-consuming process, particularly when complex economic data are involved. The paper presents an efficient approach, based on Gaussian quadrature, to survey sampling when some information is available about the target population. Using household data from Mozambique, we demonstrate that Gaussian quadrature subsamples, based on relatively easy to observe household characteristics such as size and educational attainment of members, generate better estimates of the moments of household expenditure than random samples of equal size.
The Crisis of the Tariff Reform League and the Division of ‘Radical Conservatism’, c.1913–1922
Authors: THACKERAY DAVID A. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThe term ‘Radical Conservatism’ has come to denote a group of Unionists who called for extensive government intervention and greater imperial consolidation in the opening decades of the twentieth century. Despite a revival of interest in the historical study of this movement, there has been little coverage of Radical Conservatism's difficult years during the Great War and its aftermath. This article examines the Tariff Reform League (TRL) which was the leading Radical Conservative pressure group during this period. It suggests that Radical Conservatism's more controversial, imperial policies had significantly more popular support than has previously been realized by historians. This article also challenges the idea that Radical Conservatism can be treated as a single, unified movement. It had several divisions throughout the early twentieth century, and effectively ruptured with Henry Page Croft's creation of the National Party in the autumn of 1917. The formation of this organization led to a crisis of confidence within the TRL, which precipitated its sudden decline in 1918–19.
Monitoring fluid chemistry in iron oxide–copper–gold‐related metasomatic processes, eastern Mt Isa Block, Australia
Authors: MARSHALL L. J. , OLIVER N. H. S. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractMost researchers in the Proterozoic eastern Mt Isa Block, NW Queensland, Australia, favour magmatic fluid and salt sources for sodic‐(calcic) alteration and iron oxide–copper–gold mineralization. Here we compare spatial, mineralogic and stable isotope data from regional alteration assemblages with magmatic and magmatic‐hydrothermal interface rocks in order to track chemical and isotopic variations in fluid composition away from inferred fluid sources. Tightly clustered δ18O values for magnetite, quartz, feldspar and actinolite for igneous‐hosted samples reflect high temperature equilibration in the magmatic‐hydrothermal environment. In contrast, these minerals record predominantly higher δ18O values in regional alteration and Cu–Au mineralization. This dichotomy reflects partial equilibration with isotopically heavier wallrocks and slightly lower temperatures. Increases in Si concentrations of metasomatic amphiboles relative to igneous amphiboles in part reflect cooling of metasomatic fluids away from igneous rocks. Variations in XMg for metasomatic amphiboles indicate local wallrock controls on amphibole chemistry, while variations in XCl/XOH ratios for amphiboles (at constant XMg) indicate variable aH2O/aHCl ratios for metasomatic fluids. Biotite geochemistry also reflects cooling and both increases and decreases in aH2O/aHCl for fluids away from plutonic rocks. Decreased aH2O/aHCl ratios for metasomatic fluids reflect in part scavenging of chlorine out of meta‐evaporite sequences, although this process requires already saline fluids. Local increases in aH2O/aHCl ratios, as well as local decreases in δ18O values for some minerals (most notably haematite and epithermal‐textured quartz), may indicate ingress of low salinity, low δ18O fluids of possible meteoric origin late in the hydrothermal history of the region. Taken together, our observations are most consistent with predominantly magmatic sources for metasomatic fluids in the eastern Mt Isa Block, but record chemical and isotopic variations along fluid flow paths that may be important in explaining some of the diversity in alteration and mineralization styles in the district.
Investigation of coupled hydraulic–geomechanical processes at the KTB site: pressure‐dependent characteristics of a long‐term pump test and elastic interpretation using a geomechanical facies model
Authors: MCDERMOTT C. I. , LODEMANN M. , GHERGUT I. , TENZER H. , SAUTER M. , KOLDITZ O. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThe German Continental Deep Drilling Program comprising a pilot borehole down to 4000 m and a main borehole down to 9101 m in southeast Germany (KTB) is continuing to provide a unique opportunity for the identification of important factors and processes in deep‐seated fluid and energy transfer. In situ stress conditions significantly impact flow, transport and exchange characteristics of fracture networks that dominate the permeability of crystalline reservoir rocks. In this paper, several scales of information are combined to present a fully three‐dimensional hydraulic finite element model of the principal KTB fault zones, and linked to a geomechanical model describing the alteration of the hydraulic parameters with stress changes caused by fluid extraction. The concept of geomechanical facies is introduced to define and characterize architectural elements in the subsurface system. Evaluation of a long‐term pump test in the KTB pilot hole, June 2002–July 2003, coupled with a geomechanical model gives an insight into some of the elastic and nonelastic processes controlling hydraulic transport in the basement rocks. Trends in the decline of the permeability and the degree of storage in the system could only partially be explained by elastic processes, clearly indicating the importance of nonelastic processes. A number of inelastic processes are suggested as areas for further research.
Exploiting the rodent model for studies on the pharmacology of lifespan extension
Authors: Nadon Nancy L. 
Published: January 2006

SummaryThe rodent is a particularly valuable model with which to test therapeutic interventions for aging, as rodent physiology is close enough to human physiology to give the findings relevance for human aging, and it is small enough to allow for use of statistically robust sample sizes. There are many rodent models to choose from, with advantages and disadvantages to each. The choice of model system, as well as other experimental design decisions such as diet and housing, is extremely important for the success of lifespan studies. These issues are discussed in this review of the use of the rodent model. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) Interventions Testing Program, which has grappled with all of these issues, is described.
Fibroblasts from long‐lived Snell dwarf mice are resistant to oxygen‐induced in vitro growth arrest
Authors: Maynard Scott P. , Miller Richard A. 
Published: January 2006

SummarySnell dwarf mice live longer than controls, and show lower age‐adjusted rates of lethal neoplastic diseases. Fibroblast cells from adult dwarf mice are resistant to the lethal effects of oxidative and nonoxidative stresses, including the carcinogen methyl methanesulfonate. We now report that dwarf‐derived fibroblasts are slow to enter the stage of growth arrest induced by culturing normal cells under standard culture conditions at 20% O2. Dwarf cells cultured at 20% O2 resemble control cells cultured at 3% O2 not only in their delayed growth arrest, but also in their rapid growth rates and resistance to both oxidative and nonoxidative forms of cytotoxic stress. Levels of the heat‐shock protein HSP‐70 respond to serum withdrawal and stress only in control cells, showing that intracellular signals are blunted in dwarf‐derived cells. These data suggest a model in which stable epigenetic changes induced in skin fibroblasts by the hormonal milieu of the Snell dwarf lead to resistance to multiple forms of injury, including the oxidative damage that contributes to growth arrest in vitro and neoplasia in intact mice.
Nitrones as therapeutics in age‐related diseases
Authors: Floyd Robert A. 
Published: January 2006

SummaryAge‐related diseases deprive individuals of a higher quality of life and therefore therapeutics for their treatment provide significant potential. An overview of the observations of nitrones as potential therapeutics in several age‐related diseases is presented. Treatment of acute ischemic stroke is one condition where a nitrone (NXY‐059) is in late phase 3 clinical trials now. Also presented is a summary of the most recent work we have accomplished on the anticancer activity of the nitrones in a hepatocellular carcinoma. The mechanistic basis of action of these compounds in several animal models is not yet understood at the molecular levels; however, it does appear clear that their anti‐inflammatory properties are central to their action, which is based on their ability to down‐regulate exacerbated signal transduction processes.
In Vivo Stress Behavior in Cemented and Screw‐Retained Five‐Unit Implant FPDs
Authors: Karl Matthias , Taylor Thomas D. , Wichmann Manfred G. , Heckmann Siegfried M. 
Published: January 2006

Purpose:
When fixing implant‐supported fixed partial dentures (FPDs), it is important to achieve passive fit. The objective of the in vivo study presented was to quantify the strain development during the fixation of screw‐ and cement‐retained FPDs.
Materials and Methods:
After informed patient consent had been obtained (Ethics commission Approval No. 2315; FAU Erlangen‐Nuremberg, Germany), four groups of five‐unit FPDs (five samples per group) were fabricated and investigated in vivo. Group 1: Cementable, repositioning technique impression, burn out plastic coping; Group 2: Screwable, pickup technique impression, burn out plastic coping; Group 3: Screwable, pickup technique impression, cast to gold cylinder; Group 4: Screwable, pickup technique impression, bonded to gold cylinder. Two strain gauges (SG) were attached to the pontics of each bridge (SG‐M and SG‐D) to measure the strains that occurred during either the cementing or screw‐in process. The final values were recorded for analysis.
Results:
The mean strain values (μm/m) for each SG were: Group 1: SG‐M 32 μm/m, SG‐D: 89 μm/m; Group 2: SG‐M 302 μm/m, SG‐D: 197 μm/m; Group 3: SG‐M 458 μm/m, SG‐D: 268 μm/m; Group 4: SG‐M 269 μm/m, SG‐D: 52 μm/m.
Conclusions:
Although the bridges were clinically acceptable, none of them revealed a truly passive fit with zero microstrain. In contrast to conventional screw‐retained bridges, cement retention seems to result in lower strain levels. Bonding bridge pontics to prefabricated implant components seems to allow both the retrievability of a screw‐retained bridge and produce moderate strain values.
Removable Partial Denture Education in U.S. Dental Schools
Authors: Petropoulos Vicki C. , Rashedi Behnoush 
Published: January 2006

Purpose: A survey of U.S. dental schools was conducted in 2001 to determine the curricular structure, techniques, and materials used in predoctoral clinical removable partial denture (RPD) programs.
Materials and Methods: The questionnaire was mailed to the chairperson of the prosthodontic/restorative departments of 54 U.S. dental schools. Of these, 44 schools returned the completed survey, resulting in a response rate of 82%.
Results: Results from this survey show that a large majority of schools are using similar materials in clinical RPDs; for instance, using modeling compound for border molding final impression trays (61%) and using a semi‐adjustable articulator for mounting preliminary casts (90%) and final casts (98%). In addition, a large majority of schools are using similar techniques in clinical RPDs, such as border molding the edentulous areas of the final impression tray (80%) and using the altered cast impression technique (59%). A set post‐insertion protocol is present for patients who receive partial dentures in the majority of the schools (93%). Only 25% of schools reported incorporating new educational materials such as the use of Portrait artificial teeth at the predoctoral level. Eighteen percent of schools are allowing students to graduate without a set number of RPD clinical requirements as has been traditionally the case.
Conclusions: Predoctoral clinical RPD programs vary from school to school, yet a large percentage of schools agree on many topics.
A propensity score case‐control comparison of aprotinin and tranexamic acid in high‐transfusion‐risk cardiac surgery
Authors: Karkouti Keyvan , Beattie W. Scott , Dattilo Kathleen M. , McCluskey Stuart A. , Ghannam Mohammed , Hamdy Ahmed , Wijeysundera Duminda N. , Fedorko Ludwik , Yau Terrence M. 
Published: January 2006

BACKGROUND:  Cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass may result in excessive fibrinolysis and platelet (PLT) dysfunction, resulting in impaired hemostasis and excessive blood loss. Prophylactic use of the antifibrinolytic drugs aprotinin and tranexamic acid is thought to prevent these hemostatic defects. Their relative clinical utility and safety in high‐transfusion‐risk cardiac surgery, however, is not known.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  Using propensity scores, 449 patients who received aprotinin for high‐transfusion‐risk cardiac surgery were matched to 449 patients who received tranexamic acid from a pool of 10,870 consecutive patients who underwent cardiac surgery at a single center, 586 of whom received aprotinin and the remainder of whom received tranexamic acid.RESULTS:  The two matched groups were well balanced in terms of measured perioperative variables. Blood product transfusion rates were similar in the aprotinin and tranexamic acid groups: red blood cells, 79 percent versus 76 percent (p = 0.3); PLTs, 56 percent versus 50 percent (p = 0.06); and plasma, 66 percent versus 61 percent (p = 0.1). Adverse events rates were comparable in the two groups, except for renal dysfunction (defined as a greater than 50% increase in creatinine concentration during the first postoperative week to >100 µmol/L in women and >110 µmol/L in men or a new requirement for dialysis support), which occurred in 24 percent (107/449) of aprotinin patients and 17 percent (75/449) of tranexamic acid patients (p = 0.01).CONCLUSIONS:  Aprotinin and tranexamic acid have similar hemostatic effectiveness in high‐transfusion‐risk cardiac surgery. Within the confines of propensity score matching, our results suggest that aprotinin may be associated with renal dysfunction.