bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gene Polymorphism Association Studies in Dialysis: Vascular Access
Authors: Girndt Matthias , Heine Gunnar H. , Ulrich Christof , Köhler Hans ,   for the DialGene Consortium
Published: January 2007

AbstractComplications of the vascular access site for hemodialysis are a major cause of morbidity, suboptimal dialysis, and hospitalization. Vascular access for dialysis that is achieved by central venous catheters is associated with complications such as infection and thrombosis. Arteriovenous fistulas and grafts are also at risk for infectious complications. Further, proliferation of the venous wall with secondary thrombosis is a common pathophysiological process that leads to vascular access dysfunction. Genetic polymorphisms that contribute to vascular access failure are found among factors of the coagulation cascade, and host mediators that induce endothelial dysfunction as well as vessel wall proliferation. The two most common mutations of coagulation factors seem to influence the risk of central venous catheter and fistula thrombosis. Indeed, both the single nucleotide polymorphism of the factor V gene at amino acid position 506 (factor V Leiden mutation) and the prothrombin 20210 polymorphism have been associated with thrombotic complications of the vascular access. Among the endothelium‐directed factors, a polymorphism of the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase gene coding for an enzyme that degrades the endothelium toxic product homocysteine, has been associated with fistula failure. While the angiotensin converting enzyme polymorphism does not seem to be associated with vascular access complications, polymorphisms of the profibrogenic cytokine transforming growth factor‐β1 are associated with the prognosis of native arteriovenous fistulae. The role of pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokine gene polymorphisms as prognostic factors for vascular access is yet to be clearly defined.
Cerebral Cortical Gyrification: A Preliminary Investigation in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Ronan Lisa , Murphy Kevin , Delanty Norman , Doherty Colin , Maguire Sinead , Scanlon Cathy , Fitzsimons Mary 
Published: January 2007

Summary:  Purpose: To introduce a measure of global cortical folding in epilepsy by using stereology. Subtle developmental abnormalities associated with temporal lobe epilepsy may encompass brain morphologic changes such as an aberrant degree of cortical folding. Methods: Stereologic methods of volume and surface‐area estimation were applied to in vivo MR brain‐image data of a cohort of 20 temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients (10 men, 10 women), and 20 neurologically normal controls (10 men, 10 women). Indices of cerebral gyrification and cerebral atrophy were generated. The impact of side of seizure onset, age at onset, history of febrile seizures, presence or absence of lesions, and presence or absence of secondarily generalized seizures on cerebral gyrification was assessed. Results: Although no significant group mean difference was found in the degree of cerebral gyrification between patients and controls, five of 10 of male patients had an abnormal gyrification when compared with male controls. One female patient had a significant change in gyrification compared with female controls. In general, patients with TLE demonstrated a significant degree of global cerebral atrophy compared with controls. Clinical factors were not demonstrated to affect significantly any of the quantitative parameters. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that an aberrant degree of global cerebral gyrification may occur in certain clinical groups of TLE patients. These findings have implications for general theories of developmental susceptibility in TLE.
Neocortical and Thalamic Spread of Amygdala Kindled Seizures
Authors: Blumenfeld Hal , Rivera Maritza , Vasquez J. Gabriel , Shah Akash , Ismail Dina , Enev Miro , Zaveri Hitten P. 
Published: January 2007

Summary:  Purpose: Amygdala kindling is an epilepsy model involving long‐term network plasticity in the nervous system. In this model, repeated weak stimulation of the amygdala eventually leads to severe motor seizures. The mechanisms for worsening behavioral seizures, and the possible role of enhanced connectivity between the amygdala and other structures have not been thoroughly investigated. Methods: We performed simultaneous field potential recordings from the amygdala, frontal cortex, and medial thalamus during kindling in rats. Seizures were analyzed for signal power compared with baseline and for correlation between recording sites. Interictal signals were analyzed for changes in coherence between electrode contacts in kindled animals compared with sham kindled controls. Results: We found that increased behavioral severity of seizures was related to increased seizure duration and to increased signal power in the frontal cortex and medial thalamus. Kindling was associated with increased connectivity between the amygdala and frontal cortex, based on increased amygdala–frontal signal correlation during seizures. In addition, during the interictal period, increased coherence was noted between amygdala and frontal contacts in kindled animals compared with controls. Conclusions: We found evidence for increased connectivity between the amygdala and frontal cortex both during seizures and in the interictal period, as a result of kindling. Enhanced connections between limbic and neocortical circuits may be important for the development of epilepsy, as well as for normal long‐range network plasticity in the nervous system.
Clinical Correlates of Occipital Intermittent Rhythmic Delta Activity (OIRDA) in Children
Authors: Watemberg Nathan , Linder Ilan , Dabby Ron , Blumkin Lubov , Lerman‐Sagie Tally 
Published: January 2007

Summary:  Purpose: The clinical significance of occipital intermittent rhythmic delta activity (OIRDA) on the electroencephalogram has not been fully established. Recent studies suggest that this pattern occurs almost exclusively in children and is probably of epileptic origin in most cases. We sought to characterize the electrographic features and clinical correlates of occipital intermittent rhythmic delta activity. Methods: A review of 697 consecutive pediatric electroencephalograms detected occipital intermittent rhythmic delta activity in 24 studies. Mean patient age was 7.96 years. Results: Recent convulsions and absence seizures constituted the main indications for the study. Concomitant, independent epileptiform activity was noted in half of the cases. This activity was focal in all but one case. Conversely, in most cases of absence seizures, epileptiform activity intermixed with occipital intermittent rhythmic delta activity. Furthermore, the frequency of the occipital rhythmic discharges in studies of children with absences was generally faster (3–4 Hz) than in localization‐related epilepsy (2–3 Hz). Most patients were awake when occipital intermittent rhythmic delta activity occurred. Chronic encephalopathy was seen in one child only. Analysis of neuroimaging studies in eight cases revealed no structural pathology associated with occipital intermittent rhythmic delta activity. Conclusions: Occipital intermittent rhythmic delta activity is probably an epileptiform pattern, although it is noted occasionally in encephalopathic children. Its electrographic characteristics appear to differ between localization‐related epilepsy and primary generalized epilepsy, particularly absence seizures.
Slow Repetitive TMS for Drug‐resistant Epilepsy: Clinical and EEG Findings of a Placebo‐controlled Trial
Authors: Cantello Roberto , Rossi Simone , Varrasi Claudia , Ulivelli Monica , Civardi Carlo , Bartalini Sabina , Vatti Giampaolo , Cincotta Massimo , Borgheresi Alessandra , Zaccara Gaetano , Quartarone Angelo , Crupi Domenica , Laganà Angela , Inghilleri Maurizio , Giallonardo Anna Teresa , Berardelli Alfredo , Pacifici Loredana , Ferreri Florinda , Tombini Mario , Gilio Francesca , Quarato Pierpaolo , Conte Antonella , Manganotti Paolo , Bongiovanni Liugi Giuseppe , Monaco Francesco , Ferrante Daniela , Rossini Paolo Maria 
Published: January 2007

Summary:  Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of slow repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) as an adjunctive treatment for drug‐resistant epilepsy. Methods: Forty‐three patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy from eight Italian Centers underwent a randomized, double‐blind, sham‐controlled, crossover study on the clinical and EEG effects of slow rTMS. The stimulus frequency was 0.3 Hz. One thousand stimuli per day were given at the resting motor threshold intensity for 5 consecutive days, with a round coil at the vertex. Results:“Active” rTMS was no better than placebo for seizure reduction. However, it decreased interictal EEG epileptiform abnormalities significantly (p < 0.05) in one‐third of the patients, which supports a detectable biologic effect. No correlation linked the rTMS effects on seizure frequency to syndrome or anatomic classification, seizure type, EEG changes, or resting motor threshold (an index of motor cortex excitability). Conclusions: Although the antiepileptic action was not significant (p > 0.05), the individual EEG reactivity to “active” rTMS may be encouraging for the development of more‐powerful, noninvasive neuromodulatory strategies.
Seizure Outcome after Resection of Supratentorial Cavernous Malformations: A Study of 168 Patients
Authors: Baumann Christian R. , Acciarri Nicola , Bertalanffy Helmut , Devinsky Orrin , Elger Christian E. , Lo Russo Giorgio , Cossu Massimo , Sure Uli , Singh Anuradha , Stefan Hermann , Hammen Tilo , Georgiadis Dimitrios , Baumgartner Ralf W. , Andermann Frederick , Siegel Adrian M. 
Published: January 2007

Summary:  Purpose: The optimal management of cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) with epileptic seizures is still a matter of debate. The aim of our study was to examine seizure outcome in the largest published series of surgically treated patients with epilepsy due to a supratentorial CCM, and to define predictors for good surgical outcome. Methods: We retrospectively studied 168 consecutive patients with a single supratentorial CCM and symptomatic epilepsy in a multicenter study. Pre‐ and postoperative clinical examinations, age at epilepsy onset, age at operation, type of symptoms due to the CCM (seizures, headache, hemorrhage, focal deficits), type and frequency of epileptic seizures, and the localization and size of the CCM were assessed. Seizure outcome was determined in the first, second, and third postoperative years. Results: The CCM was completely resected in all patients. More than two thirds of the patients were classified as seizure free in the first 3 postoperative years. Predictors for good seizure outcome were age older than 30 years at the time of surgery, mesiotemporal CCM localization, CCM size <1.5 cm, and the absence of secondarily generalized seizures. No mortality occurred in our series, but only mild postoperative neurologic deficits in 12 (7%) patients. Conclusions: Considering the natural history of CCMs, the favorable neurologic and seizure outcome, surgical resection of CCMs should be considered in all patients with supratentorial CCMs and concomitant epilepsy, irrespective of the presence or absence of predictors for a favorable seizure outcome.
Why people do not take their psychotropic drugs as prescribed: results of the 2000 National Psychiatric Morbidity Survey
Authors: Cooper C. , Bebbington P. , King M. , Brugha T. , Meltzer H. , Bhugra D. , Jenkins R. 
Published: January 2007

Objective:  We examined the prevalence and determinants of the reasons given for non‐adherence to psychiatric medication in a representative community survey.Method:  We used data for all participants taking oral psychotropic medication (n = 634) from the 2000 British Survey of National Psychiatric Morbidity.Results:  Of participants interviewed, 217 (34.2%) reported incomplete adherence to their psychiatric medication. Reasons given included forgetting, losing, running out (37.4%); thinking medication unnecessary (24.6%); reluctance to take drugs (18.9%) and side‐effects (14.2%). Those giving forgetfulness or side‐effects as reasons were younger. Side‐effects were reported more frequently by people with a lower IQ or with psychosis. Those taking Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors were more likely to forget to take their medication.Conclusion:  Two‐fifths of people reported that missing their medication was a decision taken because they did not want it or think it necessary. Side‐effects are a relatively uncommon reason for under‐medication. Our results have implications for interventions to assist adherence.
Mental distress and quality of life in the hard of hearing
Authors: Fellinger J. , Holzinger D. , Gerich J. , Goldberg D. 
Published: January 2007

Objective:  This study aims to compare levels of psychological distress and the quality of life in the hard of hearing with levels reported by the signing deaf, and the hearing population.Method:  A total of 373 members of the Hard of Hearing Association completed the brief WHO's Quality of Life, 12‐item General Health Questionnaire and Brief Symptom Inventory, and provided details about their initial and current deafness.Results:  The hard of hearing have worse social relationships than the signing deaf, and are disadvantaged relative to the hearing in all areas measured. Quality of life is related to the level of satisfaction with the hearing achieved by hearing aids.Conclusion:  General psychiatrists need to be aware that patients who are hard of hearing may be even more isolated than deaf people in a signing community. Hard of hearing patients with unsatisfactory hearing aids can be greatly assisted by cochlear implants.
Analysis of Karst Aquifer Spring Flows with a Gray System Decomposition Model
Authors: Hao Yonghong , Yeh Tian‐Chyi J. , Wang Yanrong , Zhao Ying 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThere are ∼470,000 km2 of karst aquifers that feed many large springs in North China. Turbulent flow often exists in these karst aquifers, which means that the classical ground water model based on Darcy’s law cannot be applied here. Ground water data are rare for these aquifers. As a consequence, it is difficult to quantitatively investigate ground water flow in these karst systems. The purpose of this study is to develop a parsimonious model that predicts karst spring discharge using gray system theory. In this theory, a white color denotes a system that is completely characterized and a black color represents a system that is totally unknown. A gray system thus describes a complex system whose characteristics are only partially known or known with uncertainty. Using this theory, we investigated the karst spring discharge time series over different time scales. First, we identified three specific components of spring discharge: the long‐term trend, periodic variation, and random fluctuation. We then used the gray system model to simulate the long‐term trend and obtain periodic variation and random fluctuation components. Subsequently, we developed a predictive model for karst spring discharge. Application of the model to Liulin Springs, a representative example of karst springs in northern China, shows that the model performs well. The predicted results suggest that the Liulin Springs discharge will likely decrease over time, with small fluctuations.
Characterization of a Multilayer Aquifer Using Open Well Dilution Tests
Authors: West L. Jared , Odling Noelle E. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractAn approach to characterization of multilayer aquifer systems using open well borehole dilution is described. The approach involves measuring observation well flow velocities while a nearby extraction well is pumped by introducing a saline tracer into observation wells and collecting dilution vs. depth profiles. Inspection of tracer profile evolution allows discrete permeable layers within the aquifer to be identified. Dilution profiles for well sections between permeable layers are then converted into vertical borehole flow velocities and their evolution, using an analytic solution to the advection‐dispersion equation applied to borehole flow. The dilution approach is potentially able to measure much smaller flow velocities that would be detectable using flowmeters. Vertical flow velocity data from the observation wells are then matched to those generated using a hydraulic model of the aquifer system, “shorted” by the observation wells, to yield the hydraulic properties of the constituent layers. Observation well flow monitoring of pumping tests represents a cost‐effective alternative or preliminary approach to pump testing each layer of a multilayer aquifer system separately using straddle packers or screened wells and requires no prior knowledge of permeable layer depths and thicknesses. The modification described here, of using tracer dilution rather than flowmeter logging to obtain well flow velocities, allows the approach to be extended to greater well separations, thus characterizing a larger volume of the aquifer. An example of the application of this approach to a multilayer Chalk Aquifer in Yorkshire, Northeast England, is presented.
“Lady Teachers” and the Genteel Roots of Teacher Organization in Gilded Age Cities
Authors: Leroux Karen 
Published: January 2007

May the work of the L.T.A. go on ever upward and onward-gaining ground year by year; so that in future it will have its voice in the community, not low & sweet-but clear and resonant showing power and strength; may it gain that strength by increased membership, held together by strong bonds of love.Let us then be up and doing,With a heart for any fate;Still achieving, still pursuingLearn to labor and to wait.1Miss Ophelia S. Newell believed that teachers occupied a public office of unappreciated responsibility. As the secretary of the Lady Teachers' Association (LTA) in Boston, she penned these hopeful remarks as a coda to her 1875 annual report, borrowing the last stanza of a popular Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem. For Newell and her fellow teachers, “learn to labor and to wait” underscored their steadfast commitment to the schools. They founded the association attempting to bring women teachers “nearer together in sympathy and friendship and also for a mutual benefit in debate and parliamentary rules.” Frustrated with being “accused of a lack of enthusiasm in our profession,” they hoped such criticism could “be remedied by an organization of this kind.” Honing their debating skills represented one of the women's objectives, but they aspired to do more than polish their chances for professional advancement.
Product Review: High Dynamic Range Displays
Authors: Ledda Patrick 
Published: January 2007

In the natural world, the human eye is confronted with a wide range of colors and luminances. A surface lit by moonlight might have a luminance level of around 10−3 cd/m2, while surfaces lit during a sunny day could reach values larger than 105 cd/m2. A good quality CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor is only able to achieve a maximum luminance of around 200 to 300 cd/m2 and a contrast ratio of not more than two orders of magnitude. In this context the contrast ratio or dynamic range is defined as the ratio of the highest to the lowest luminance. We call high dynamic range (HDR) images, those images (or scenes) in which the contrast ratio is larger than what a display can reproduce. In practice, any scene that contains some sort of light source and shadows is HDR. The main problem with HDR images is that they cannot be displayed, therefore although methods to create them do exist (by taking multiple photographs at different exposure times or using computer graphics 3D software for example) it is not possible to see both bright and dark areas simultaneously. (See Figure 1.) There is data that suggests that our eyes can see detail at any given adaptation level within a contrast of 10,000:1 between the brightest and darkest regions of a scene. Therefore an ideal display should be able to reproduce this range. In this review, we present two high dynamic range displays developed by Brightside Technologies (formerly Sunnybrook Technologies) which are capable, for the first time, of linearly displaying high contrast images. These displays are of great use for both researchers in the vision/graphics/VR/medical fields as well as professionals in the VFX/gaming/architectural industry.
Influence of Air-Conditioning Waste Heat on Air Temperature in Tokyo during Summer: Numerical Experiments Using an Urban Canopy Model Coupled with a Building Energy Model
Authors: Ohashi Yukitaka , Genchi Yutaka , Kondo Hiroaki , Kikegawa Yukihiro , Yoshikado Hiroshi , Hirano Yujiro 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
A coupled model consisting of a multilayer urban canopy model and a building energy analysis model has been developed to investigate the diurnal variations of outdoor air temperature in the office areas of Tokyo, Japan. Observations and numerical experiments have been performed for the two office areas in Tokyo. The main results obtained in this study are as follows. The coupled model has accurately simulated the air temperature for a weekday case in which released waste heat has been calculated from the energy consumption and cooling load in the buildings. The model has also simulated the air temperature for a holiday case. However, the waste heat from the buildings has little influence on the outdoor temperatures and can be neglected because of the low working activity in the buildings. The waste heat from the air conditioners has caused a temperature rise of 1°–2°C or more on weekdays in the Tokyo office areas. This heating promotes the heat-island phenomenon in Tokyo on weekdays. Thus, it is shown that the energy consumption process (mainly with air conditioning) in buildings should be included in the modeling of summertime air temperature on weekdays in urban areas.
Optimization of an Instance-Based GOES Cloud Classification Algorithm
Authors: Bankert Richard L. , Wade Robert H. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
An instance-based nearest-neighbor algorithm was developed for a Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) cloud classifier. Expert-labeled samples serve as the training sets for the various GOES image classification scenes. The initial implementation of the classifier using the complete set of available training samples has proven to be an inefficient method for real-time image classifications, requiring long computational run times and significant computer resources. A variety of training-set reduction methods were examined to find smaller training sets that provide quicker classifier run times with minimal reduction in classifier testing set accuracy. General differences within real-time image classifications as a result of using the various reduction methods were also analyzed. The fast condensed nearest-neighbor (FCNN) method reduced the size of the individual training sets by 68.3% (fourfold cross-validation testing average) while the average overall accuracy of the testing sets decreased by only 4.1%. Training sets resulting from these reduction methods were also applied within a real-time classifier using a one-nearest-neighbor subroutine. Using the FCNN-reduced set, the subroutine run time on a 30° latitude × 30° longitude image (GOES-10 daytime) with 11 289 600 total pixels decreased by an average of 60.7%.
Magnetic Field Effects on Shape and Size of Pendent Water Drop
Authors: Katsuki Akio , Kaji Kazufumi , Sueda Manabu , Tanimoto Yoshifumi 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
The shape and size of a water pendent drop were affected by magnetic forces. Especially in pseudomicrogravity conditions, they changed considerably: the relative contribution of surface tension was increased by the magnetic field.