bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Non‐binary SOVA algorithms for decoding of block codes on a sectionalized trellis
Authors: Labeau Fabrice 
Published: March 2007

AbstractIn this paper, we explore computationally efficient implementations of the soft output viterbi algorithm (SOVA) applied to Soft‐Input Soft‐Output (SISO) decoding of linear block codes. In order to simplify the trellis‐based decoding of binary block codes with SOVA, we use the technique of sectionalization of the trellis, which has been successfully applied to the simplification of the MAP and Max‐Log‐MAP algorithms. Due to the branch complexity of the sectionalized trellis, we define a generalization of a non‐binary version of SOVA. However, the computational complexity of directly applying this approach remains too high for efficient implementation; we thus introduce the concept of non‐binary SOVA (NSOVA) with propagation of bit‐level reliabilities (BLR). This new algorithm is analyzed from a computational complexity viewpoint. Both serial and parallel implementations are explored. Finally, optimal sectionalizations are derived for selected codes; since the normal SOVA decoding is a particular case of NSOVA with BLR, we show that our approach is more efficient than a bit‐level trellis by showing that, for all the codes tested, the optimal trellis is a sectionalized one. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Endothelial cell and macrophage regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell calcification modulated by cholestane‐3β, 5α, 6β‐triol
Authors: Liu Hongmei , Yuan Lan , Xu Shanjin , Wang Kui 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe cellular and molecular mechanisms that mediate vascular calcification remain poorly understood. In our previous study, oxysterol cholestane‐3β, 5α, 6β‐triol (Triol) was shown to promote vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) calcification. In this study, by using direct coculture, non‐contact transwell coculture, and culture with conditioned media, we investigated the roles of endothelial cells (ECs) and macrophages in the regulation of VSMCs calcification in the absence or presence of Triol. In vitro calcification was induced by incubation of VSMCs with β‐glycerophosphate. The results showed that ECs inhibited VSMCs calcification, as manifested by the reduction of calcium deposition in extracellular matrix. This effect of ECs on calcification was via the secreted soluble factors. Furthermore, the stimulation of ECs by Triol had no influence on ECs inhibition of calcification. On the other hand, macrophages promoted VSMCs calcification via the secreted soluble factors such as reactive oxygen species, which was further enhanced by Triol. Our results supported the roles for ECs and macrophages in vascular calcification, modulated by oxysterols in atherosclerotic plaque.
Departmental audit of tonsillectomy haemorrhage rates: pitfalls in interpretation
Authors: Hamid W A Abdel , Flood L M , Martin F W 
Published: March 2007

Concerns that a largely anecdotal increase in post tonsillectomy haemorrhage rates was related to the introduction of disposable instruments have prompted much investigation. The result has been, rather, to highlight other variables influencing this risk, but especially to insist on the following:
1 Training in traditional ‘cold’ techniques.2 Regular departmental audit of haemorrhage rates.3 Presentation of such data to patients to ensure informed consent.This audit demonstrates the pitfalls in interpretation of crude data, unadjusted for case-mix, in predicting individual patient risk and in national ranking of unit performance.
Demographic factors associated with the diet quality of older US men: baseline data from the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) study
Authors: Shannon J , Shikany JM , Barrett-Connor E , Marshall LM , Bunker CH , Chan JM , Stone KL , Orwoll E ,   for the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Research Group
Published: March 2007

AbstractObjectiveThroughout the world, the proportion of the male population aged 65 years and older is increasing. Yet, we have limited information regarding diet quality and predictors of diet quality in this segment of the population. The objectives of the current analyses are to describe the diet quality of a cohort of men >65 years of age, and identify lifestyle factors associated with poor diet quality.MethodsWe present a cross-sectional analysis of the diet quality of 5928 men, aged 65–100 years, who are participants in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) cohort study. Dietary intake was determined using a modified Block 98 food-frequency questionnaire. Diet quality was calculated using the previously validated Diet Quality Index-Revised (DQI-R). Univariate and multivariate modelling was used to estimate the variance in diet quality predicted by a number of sociodemographic factors, including age, race/ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), marital status, education, smoking status, physical activity, self-perceived health and nutritional supplement use.ResultsOverall, we found that in this geographically diverse group of older men, diet quality was low, with a mean modified DQI-R for the entire study population of 62.5 (standard deviation 13.1) out of an ideal of 100. Further, younger age, very low total calorie intake ( ≤ 1187 kcal day− 1), higher BMI, residence in a North or Southeast community, being of African-American or Hispanic race, being less educated, not using dietary supplements and smoking were each significant independent predictors of a poorer diet.ConclusionThese data may prove useful in both understanding the dietary intake of older US men as it relates to published dietary guidelines, and for targeting future dietary intervention programmes.
Living with uncertainty: concept advancement
Authors: Penrod Janice 
Published: March 2007

AbstractAim. This paper reports a study to demonstrate how the scientific understanding of the concept of uncertainty was advanced through a phenomenological study of living with uncertainty.Background. Techniques for concept analysis have evolved to subsume strategies for advancing a concept towards greater clarity and utility for research and practice. Recently, it has been argued that a clear delineation of techniques for concept analysis as separate and distinct from techniques of concept advancement is warranted. This article applies such delineated processes to demonstrate the advancement of the concept of uncertainty.Method. Concept analysis was used to establish an integrated understanding of the state of the science. Gaps in understanding were carefully analysed, resulting in the research question guiding the next phase of concept advancement: what is the nature of the lived experience of uncertainty? A phenomenological investigation of the experience of uncertainty among family caregivers was conducted. Then, using methods of template comparison, the conceptual attributes identified through the phenomenological study were compared and contrasted with the theoretical definition derived through concept analysis. Finally, a new conceptual definition of higher order abstraction, with greater pragmatic utility, was derived.Findings. Uncertainty is rooted in the individual's perception of outcomes or meaning of a situation. Such perceptions challenge one's sense of confidence and/or control to yield varied types and modes of uncertainty. Uncertainty is present oriented. Both cognitive and precognitive ways of knowing are influential in ascribing meaning, anticipating outcomes and adapting strategies.Conclusions. One's sense of confidence and sense of control are primary essences that determine the nature of the experience of uncertainty. The experience of living with uncertainty is dynamic, with fluctuations in the types and modes of uncertainty in response to precognitive and cognitive ways of knowing. Probabilistic paradigms preclude existential and situational modes of uncertainty for which probabilities cannot be appreciated.
Cancer survivors' experience of time – time disruption and time appropriation
Authors: Rasmussen Dorte M. , Elverdam Beth 
Published: March 2007

AbstractAim.  This paper reports a study to explore how cancer survivors talk about, experience and manage time in everyday life.Background.  There is an increasing interest in specific physical and psychosocial aspects of life after cancer diagnosis and treatment, but hardly any research follows cancer survivors over time to explore how perceptions and experiences change.Methods.  An exploratory study was carried out in 2002–2004 with a purposive sample of adults who had experienced various forms of cancer. Data collection included 9 weeks of participant observation at a Cancer Rehabilitation Centre and ethnographic interviews with 23 informants. Ten men and 13 women were interviewed twice: 2 weeks after their stay and 18 months later.Findings.  Data were analysed from a culture‐analytical perspective. Three main themes regarding the survivors’ handling and perception of time were found: (1) cancer disrupts time and life; (2) awareness of time increases, time is verbalized and reflected; and (3) the informants appropriate time. A diagnosis of cancer, even for a survivor, means a confrontation with death. It means a disruption of continuous clock and calendar time. Survivors appropriate time, and prioritize how and with whom they want to spend their time.Conclusion.  With an increasing number of people being cured following a cancer diagnosis, nurses and oncology nurse specialists who work with cancer survivors must be aware of the fact that time is a central theme in understanding cancer survivors’ lives, and they must know how to guide these survivors in their new lives and take care of their well‐being.
Patients’ conceptions of how the spiritual dimension is addressed in mental health care: a qualitative study
Authors: Koslander Tiburtius , Arvidsson Barbro 
Published: March 2007

AbstractAim.  This paper reports a study to describe patients’ conceptions of how the spiritual dimension is addressed in mental health care.Background.  Spirituality is a broad concept, and is highly subjective, multidimensional and difficult to define. Spirituality and religiousness are two separate concepts but have several common features. In mental health care, it is essential that nursing care be built on a holistic view, and the spiritual dimension has an important function in nursing care. The notion of spirituality is full of nuances, and in a multi‐cultural society patients express their spirituality in different ways.Method.  Data were collected by interviewing 12 strategically selected patients in mental health care and analysed according to a qualitative method inspired by the phenomenographic approach. The data were collected in 2003 in Sweden.Findings.  Three descriptive categories emerged: patients wish to have their spiritual needs addressed; patients must see to it that their spiritual needs are addressed; patients lack confidence in nurses with regard to discussing spirituality. The findings show that patients actively sought the assistance of nurses to meet their spiritual needs. They turned their thoughts inwards and found community with other patients, while nurses often avoided addressing the spiritual dimension.Conclusion.  Nurses should work actively to seek new knowledge about how they can address patients’ spiritual needs. It is also important that there be scope for discussing and reflecting on spiritual questions at the workplace. Additional research is needed to explore how knowledge about spirituality should be implemented in mental health care and nursing education.
Genotypic Variation in the Response of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) to Increased Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide and its Physiological Basis
Authors: De Costa W. A. J. M. , Weerakoon W. M. W. , Chinthaka K. G. R. , Herath H. M. L. K. , Abeywardena R. M. I. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractIncreasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration (Ca) is one aspect of global change that will have a significant impact on the productivity of agricultural crops. Crop yields have been shown to increase with increasing Ca. The magnitude of yield response to increased Ca could vary depending on genotypic and environmental factors. The objective of this study was to determine the genotypic variation of yield response and its physiological basis in rice (Oryza sativa L.) through an initial varietal screening using 16 genotypes. The genotypes were grown under two concentrations of Ca, i.e. 370 ± 28 (ambient) and 570 ± 42 (elevated) μmol mol−1, in open top chambers under lowland field conditions at the Rice Research and Development Institute in Sri Lanka (7°50′N, 80°50′E) from May to August 2001 (yala season) and from November 2001 to March 2002 (maha). Ca within chambers was maintained around target concentrations by a computer‐based real‐time data acquisition and control system. There was significant variation between genotypes in the response of yield to elevated Ca, with absolute increases up to 530 g m−2 in yala and 347 g m−2 in maha. In relative terms, percentage yield increases from ambient to elevated Ca ranged from 4 % to 175 % in yala and from 3 % to 64 % in maha. Genotypic variation in yield showed significant positive correlations with light‐saturated net photosynthetic rate of the flag leaf during the grain‐filling stage. This indicated that increased assimilate supply and its genotypic variation contributed to the observed genotypic variation in yield response to elevated Ca. Furthermore, the capacity to develop a larger reproductive sink through increased panicle number per m2 and increased number of grains per panicle contributed to greater yield at elevated Ca. There was a significant genotype × season interaction with genotypes responding differentially to increased Ca in the two seasons. This was mainly due to inter‐seasonal variation in incident radiation during the grain‐filling stage. Our results demonstrate the significant genotypic variation that exists within the rice germplasm, in the response to increased Ca of yield and its correlated physiological parameters. A subset of genotypes from screening trials such as the present study can be used for more in‐depth analysis of the influence of elevated Ca on processes responsible for yield determination in rice and for molecular studies to elucidate the genetic basis of the response to increased Ca. This could pave the way for breeding genotypes which are more productive in a future high CO2 environment, provided that genotypes with greater flexibility in their physiology are selected to counter the genotype × environmental interaction.
Painful ejaculation
Authors: Ilie Cristian P. , Mischianu Dan L. , Pemberton Richard J. 
Published: March 2007

The first mini‐review in this section is a systematic literature review on postorgasmic pain in the male. The authors found a significant incidence of this problem and have suggested that studies are required into aetiology and treatment.The issue of saturation biopsy of the prostate is discussed in the second article, followed by papers on basal cell carcinoma of the prostate, and finally, a discussion of screening for prostate cancer, and particularly new efforts at targeting special groups.We reviewed previous publications on post‐orgasmic pain with reference to prevalence, epidemiology and treatment options, using the Ovid and PubMed (updated May 2006) databases to comprehensively search MEDLINE for reports on post‐orgasmic pain that included peer‐reviewed English‐language articles. Official proceedings of internationally known scientific societies were also assessed. Because of the heterogeneity of the studies we did not apply meta‐ analytic techniques to the data. The incidence of post‐orgasmic pain is 1–9.7%. The ejaculatory pain is associated with prostatitis, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and ejaculatory duct obstruction; it is also described in patients after procedures like radical prostatectomy. Aetiopathogenic theories include those referring to bladder neck closure and pudendal neuropathy. The treatment options vary from self‐care, a ‘perineal hyperprotection programme’ to medication with the α‐blocker, topiramate, and even surgical procedures like removing a section of the sacrotuberous ligament, neurolysis of the pudendal nerve or removing a section of the sacrospinous ligament. This is the first update of the subject, with reference to prevalence, epidemiology and treatment options. There is a need for adequately powered, prospective randomized trials on aetiology and treatment options.
Colon pouch (Mainz III) for continent urinary diversion
Authors: Stolzenburg Jens‐Uwe , Schwalenberg Thilo , Liatsikos Evangelos N. , Sakelaropoulos George , Rödder Kilian , Hohenfellner Rudolph , Fisch Margit 
Published: March 2007

Authors from Germany present data on the Mainz III pouch, where a colon segment is used. The results were very encouraging, with excellent continence rates. They suggest that this technique of continent urinary diversion should be considered as a suitable alternative to other methods.OBJECTIVETo evaluate the use of a continent cutaneous pouch made exclusively of colon (Mainz pouch III), as excellent results with the Mainz pouch III in irradiated patients suggested that the indication for this type of urinary diversion could be extended.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe outcome of 24 patients with continent cutaneous urinary diversions using colon segments (Mainz pouch III) was investigated retrospectively. Overall, 22 of the patients had a malignant disease and two a benign disease; 16 had a hysterectomy and pelvic exenteration for gynaecological tumours; two men with a rhabdomyosarcoma of the prostate had a radical cystoprostatectomy; one woman had pelvic exenteration for bladder cancer; one man had a simultaneous rectum resection due to infiltrating rectal cancer, and another a left nephrectomy with cystectomy for concomitant kidney and bladder tumour. Benign indications were hyper‐reflexive bladder after polytrauma and two cases of neurogenic bladder dysfunction. Eighteen patients had radiotherapy (32–48 Gy) before the urinary diversion.RESULTSThe mean (range) follow‐up was 35 (12–65) months. The mean pouch capacity was 293.8 mL. Three patients died during the follow‐up (two from disease progression and one suicide); 20 patients were fully continent, four with reduced pouch capacity (<300 mL) had slight incontinence and are wearing a protective pad (band‐aid at the umbilicus). All patients use intermittent self‐catheterization (mean catheterization frequency 6.8/day, range 6–12). Complications related to the pouch were one outlet stenosis that required revision. Postoperative pouchograms showed asymptomatic reflux in four patients. None of the patients developed metabolic acidosis or diarrhoea.CONCLUSIONSThe Mainz pouch III is an alternative to other types of continent urinary diversion
Acute acrolein‐induced cystitis in mice
Authors: Bjorling Dale E. , Elkahwaji Johnny E. , Bushman Wade , Janda Lindsay M. , Boldon Kyle , Hopkins Walter J. , Wang Zun‐Yi 
Published: March 2007

OBJECTIVETo develop a method of direct intravesical administration of acrolein and evaluate the severity of cystitis in response to increasing doses of acrolein in female C57BL/6N (C57) mice, with further studies to compare the severity of acute acrolein‐induced cystitis among C57, C3H/HeJ (HeJ), and C3H/OuJ (OuJ) strains of mice, as chemical cystitis produced by the systemic administration of cyclophosphamide is thought to result from renal excretion of hepatic metabolites, particularly acrolein.MATERIALS AND METHODSDoses of acrolein (0–1000 µg, 15 µL total volume) were instilled into the bladders of C57 female mice; the bladders were removed 4 or 24 h later, weighed, and processed for histology. Acrolein (6 or 10 µg; 15 µL) was instilled into the bladders of C57, HeJ and OuJ female mice, the bladders removed 4 or 24 h later, weighed, and processed for standard histology and immunohistochemical detection of uroplakin.RESULTSIncreasing doses of acrolein up to 100–200 µg caused a linear increase in bladder weight and greater histological evidence of inflammation. Doses of >200 µg caused submaximal increases in bladder weight, apparently due to structural damage of the bladder. Bladder weight and submucosal oedema were consistently greater in C57 and HeJ than OuJ mice. Treatment with acrolein caused loss of urothelium along with uroplakin in some areas of all bladder sections 4 h after treatment. Bladders from C57 mice had some loss of urothelium 24 h after instillation of 6 or 10 µg acrolein, but urothelium and uroplakin covered nearly all the surface of bladders of HeJ and OuJ mice 24 h after treatment. There were significantly more white blood cells in bladders from C57 or HeJ mice than in bladders from OuJ mice 24 h after an instillation of 6 or 10 µg acrolein.CONCLUSIONSIntravesical instillation of acrolein produces dose‐dependent cystitis in mice. OuJ mice appear relatively more resistant to irritant effects of intravesical acrolein than C57 or HeJ mice, and future studies will be directed at identifying genetic causes for these differences.
The meatal mobilization technique for coronal/subcoronal hypospadias repair
Authors: Seibold Joerg , Boehmer Angela , Verger Andreas , Merseburger Axel S. , Stenzl Arnulf , Sievert Karl‐Dietrich 
Published: March 2007

OBJECTIVETo describe meatal mobilization (MEMO) by distal urethral preparation as an improved surgical technique for distal hypospadias repair, including glanular, coronal and subcoronal location of the meatus, with or without chordee.PATIENTS AND METHODSFrom May 2002 to June 2006, 46 patients (mean age 3.8 years, range 1.5–14) had a repair of glanular, coronal and subcoronal hypospadias using the MEMO technique. A description of the procedure and the results are presented.RESULTSThe mean duration of surgery was 73 min; there were no complications during surgeryin any of the patients. The follow‐up was 28.5 months; after surgery one patient developed a haematoma, which resolved with no further treatment. There was neither recurrence nor any new episode of chordee or meatal stenosis. None of the patients developed a urethral fistula. In one patient the meatus retracted but remained in the glans.CONCLUSIONSComplications were minimal and the cosmetic results excellent using the MEMO technique for correcting most of distal hypospadias.