bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Product Data Management for Sustainability: An Interoperable Approach for Sharing Product Data in a BIM Environment
Authors: Lucky M N , Pasini D , Spagnolo S Lupica
Published: July 2019

Several research and development projects in the construction industry show the need of coherent product libraries to ease information sharing among involved stakeholders. In these projects, designers are often the main actors addressed in the creation and fruition of such product libraries. Besides designers, the presented research addresses the needs of manufacturers, clients and users. To achieve this coherence of product libraries, there are issues such as standardisation of product data templates, numerosity and heterogeneity of products categories, interoperability in sharing data and scarce thrust of manufacturers in developing extensive libraries. Considering the European directives and regulations, manufacturers are required to provide detailed and structured information about their products, e.g. in the form of CE marks and/or Declaration of Performance (DOP). Hence, developing data structures that are already compliant with CE marks and DOPs information requirements improves manufacturers’ capability of promoting their products. Moreover, this makes clients and users aware of provided information, giving them the possibility of comparing performances of different products and consequently choosing only those products that fit better their needs. The aim of the here described research activity is twofold: defining a common data structure for product data and using existing technologies to share these data. The presented research proposes a conceptual model for providing such structure for product data to facilitate Product Data Management (PDM). This structure relies on standardised Product Data Templates (PDT) and Product Data Sheets (PDS) for enhancing the sharing process within to a Building Information Modelling (BIM) environment. Moreover, an eXtensible Markup Language (XML) structure has been developed for transferring product data allowing a machine-readable exchange of information. The result of the described research is the definition of information requirements for developing an online product library that permits a user-friendly consultation by stakeholders and an automated extraction of data by software.
Industry 4.0 for failure information management within Proactive Maintenance
Authors: Talamo C , Paganin G , Rota F
Published: July 2019

I4.0 revolution is permeating every technical sector, by promoting deployment of enabling technologies (ETs), also in the facility management (FM) discipline. As FM regards the integration of processes within an organization to support activities, it is clear how ETs can trigger, in the FM area, significant innovations like a better failure knowledge management and a sustainable use of resources. More specifically, the implementation in building maintenance of dynamic systems, linked to sensors networks, can allow changes into knowledge management and FM decision-making processes. Starting from these premises, the paper deals with an ongoing research, whose aim is to investigate how ETs may innovate the traditional maintenance strategies with new approaches in corrective, condition-based and predetermined maintenance. According to the above, building maintenance, which is traditionally reactive, may actually become proactive if failure management policy is set. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate how ETs adoption may promote innovation in FM processes focusing on maintenance in service equipment field. More specifically, an operative and methodological framework for reaching proactive maintenance is described through the support of a case study concerning two major healthcare infrastructures in Italy, managed by a major FM company.
Non-parametric individual treatment effect estimation for survival data with random forests
Authors: Tabib Sami , Larocque Denis
Published: July 2019

Motivation

Personalized medicine often relies on accurate estimation of a treatment effect for specific subjects. This estimation can be based on the subject’s baseline covariates but additional complications arise for a time-to-event response subject to censoring. In this paper, the treatment effect is measured as the difference between the mean survival time of a treated subject and the mean survival time of a control subject. We propose a new random forest method for estimating the individual treatment effect with survival data. The random forest is formed by individual trees built with a splitting rule specifically designed to partition the data according to the individual treatment effect. For a new subject, the forest provides a set of similar subjects from the training dataset that can be used to compute an estimation of the individual treatment effect with any adequate method.

Results

The merits of the proposed method are investigated with a simulation study where it is compared to numerous competitors, including recent state-of-the-art methods. The results indicate that the proposed method has a very good and stable performance to estimate the individual treatment effects. Two examples of application with a colon cancer data and breast cancer data show that the proposed method can detect a treatment effect in a sub-population even when the overall effect is small or nonexistent.

Availability and implementation

The authors are working on an R package implementing the proposed method and it will be available soon. In the meantime, the code can be obtained from the first author at sami.tabib@hec.ca.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A Conceptual Framework for Range-Expanding Species that Track Human-Induced Environmental Change
Authors: Essl Franz , Dullinger Stefan , Genovesi Piero , Hulme Philip E , Jeschke Jonathan M , Katsanevakis Stelios , Kühn Ingolf , Lenzner Bernd , Pauchard Aníbal , Pyšek Petr , Rabitsch Wolfgang , Richardson David M , Seebens Hanno , van Kleunen Mark , van der Putten Wim H , Vilà Montserrat , Bacher Sven
Published: July 2019

For many species, human-induced environmental changes are important indirect drivers of range expansion into new regions. We argue that it is important to distinguish the range dynamics of such species from those that occur without, or with less clear, involvement of human-induced environmental changes. We elucidate the salient features of the rapid increase in the number of species whose range dynamics are human induced, and review the relationships and differences to both natural range expansion and biological invasions. We discuss the consequences for science, policy and management in an era of rapid global change and highlight four key challenges relating to basic gaps in knowledge, and the transfer of scientific understanding to biodiversity management and policy. We conclude that range-expanding species responding to human-induced environmental change will become an essential feature for biodiversity management and science in the Anthropocene. Finally, we propose the term neonative for these taxa.
Traumatic axonal injury influences the cognitive effect of non-invasive brain stimulation
Authors: Li Lucia M , Violante Ines R , Zimmerman Karl , Leech Rob , Hampshire Adam , Patel Maneesh , Opitz Alexander , McArthur David , Jolly Amy , Carmichael David W , Sharp David J
Published: July 2019

The behavioural effects of non-invasive brain stimulation are highly variable. Li et al. show that the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on cognitive function after traumatic brain injury are heavily influenced by white matter damage within the stimulated network. A personalized approach to selecting stimulation parameters may therefore be required.
Reductions in Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium difficile Infection and Intensive Care Unit–Acquired Bloodstream Infection Across the United Kingdom Following Implementation of a National Infection Control Campaign
Authors: Edgeworth Jonathan D , Batra Rahul , Wulff Jerome , Harrison David
Published: July 2019

Background

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile infections declined across the UK National Health Service in the decade that followed implementation of an infection control campaign. The national impact on intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired infections has not been documented.

Methods

Data on MRSA, C. difficile, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), and ICU–acquired bloodstream infections (UABSIs) for 1 189 142 patients from 2007 to 2016 were analyzed. Initial coverage was 139 ICUs increasing to 276 ICUs, representing 100% of general adult UK ICUs.

Results

ICU MRSA and C. difficile acquisitions per 1000 patients decreased between 2007 and 2016 (MRSA acquisitions, 25.4 to 4.1; and C. difficile acquisitions, 11.1 to 3.5), whereas VRE acquisitions increased from 1.5 to 5.9. There were 13 114 UABSIs in 1.8% of patients who stayed longer than 48 hours on ICU. UABSIs fell from 7.3 (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.9–7.6) to 1.6 (95% CI, 1.5–1.7)/1000 bed days. Adjusting for patient factors, the incidence rate ratio was 0.21 (95% CI, 0.19–0.23, P < .001) from 2007 to 2016. The greatest reduction, comparing rates in 2007/08 and 2015/16, was for MRSA (97%), followed by P. aeruginosa (81%), S. aureus (79%) and Candida spp (72%), with lower reductions for the coliforms (E. coli 57% and Klebsiella 49%).

Conclusions

Large decreases in ICU-acquired infections occurred across the UK ICU network linked with the first few years of a national infection control campaign, but rates have since been static. Further reductions will likely require a new intervention framework.
Potential Antigenic Mismatch of the H3N2 Component of the 2019 Southern Hemisphere Influenza Vaccine
Authors: Gouma Sigrid , Weirick Madison , Hensley Scott E
Published: July 2019

Here, we find that the egg-adapted H3N2 component of the 2019 Southern Hemisphere influenza vaccine elicits an antibody response in ferrets that is highly focused on antigenic site A of hemagglutinin. This is potentially problematic as most H3N2 viruses currently circulating in the Southern Hemisphere possess antigenic site A substitutions.
Cost-effectiveness of Direct Antiviral Agents for Hepatitis C Virus Infection and a Combined Intervention of Syringe Access and Medication-assisted Therapy for Opioid Use Disorders in an Injection Drug Use Population
Authors: Stevens Elizabeth R , Nucifora Kimberly A , Hagan Holly , Jordan Ashly E , Uyei Jennifer , Khan Bilal , Dombrowski Kirk , des Jarlais Don , Braithwaite R Scott
Published: July 2019

Background

There are too many plausible permutations and scale-up scenarios of combination hepatitis C virus (HCV) interventions for exhaustive testing in experimental trials. Therefore, we used a computer simulation to project the health and economic impacts of alternative combination intervention scenarios for people who inject drugs (PWID), focusing on direct antiviral agents (DAA) and medication-assisted treatment combined with syringe access programs (MAT+).

Methods

We performed an allocative efficiency study, using a mathematical model to simulate the progression of HCV in PWID and its related consequences. We combined 2 previously validated simulations to estimate the cost-effectiveness of intervention strategies that included a range of coverage levels. Analyses were performed from a health-sector and societal perspective, with a 15-year time horizon and a discount rate of 3%.

Results

From a health-sector perspective (excluding criminal justice system–related costs), 4 potential strategies fell on the cost-efficiency frontier. At 20% coverage, DAAs had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $27 251/quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). Combinations of DAA at 20% with MAT+ at 20%, 40%, and 80% coverage had ICERs of $165 985/QALY, $325 860/QALY, and $399 189/QALY, respectively. When analyzed from a societal perspective (including criminal justice system–related costs), DAA at 20% with MAT+ at 80% was the most effective intervention and was cost saving. While DAA at 20% with MAT+ at 80% was more expensive (eg, less cost saving) than MAT+ at 80% alone without DAA, it offered a favorable value compared to MAT+ at 80% alone ($23 932/QALY).

Conclusions

When considering health-sector costs alone, DAA alone was the most cost-effective intervention. However, with criminal justice system–related costs, DAA and MAT+ implemented together became the most cost-effective intervention.
Tolerable ranges of variation in the rate of capacity utilisation and corridor instability: a reply to Florian Botte
Authors: Setterfield Mark
Published: July 2019

This reply to Botte (2019, Estimating normal rates of capacity utilization and their tolerable ranges: a comment on Mark Setterfield, Cambridge Journal of Economics, forthcoming) responds to criticisms of the methods used to estimate the normal rate of capacity utilisation and a tolerable interval of variation in the actual rate of capacity utilisation around the normal rate in Setterfield (2019a, Long-run variation in capacity utilization in the presence of a fixed normal rate, Cambridge Journal of Economics, vol. 43, no. 2, 443–63). It concludes with some further reflections on the concept of corridor instability.
Viewpoint: Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Among Immigrants From Low- to High-Incidence Countries: Opportunities and Considerations
Authors: Agrawal Manasi , Burisch Johan , Colombel Jean-Frederic , C. Shah Shailja
Published: July 2019

The inflammatory bowel diseases [IBDs], inclusive of Crohn’s disease [CD] and ulcerative colitis [UC], are chronic, progressive immune-mediated diseases associated with high morbidity and substantial economic impact. The pathogenesis implicates a complex interaction between environmental determinants and genetic susceptibility. Of concern, the incidence and prevalence of IBD are increasing globally, with the highest relative increase observed in developing and recently developed countries. One high-risk yet underappreciated population is immigrants from countries of low to high IBD incidence, as evidenced by epidemiologic studies demonstrating higher risk of IBD among second- versus first-generation and younger versus older immigrants from low- to high-incidence countries [LTHICs]. The reasons underlying these emerging patterns among immigrants are incompletely understood and provide enormous opportunities to better define the pathophysiology of IBD and move toward disease prevention or at least earlier diagnosis. The rapidity of this epidemiologic shift in the demographic profile of IBD, which was traditionally a disease of Caucasians in industrialized countries, strongly implicates non-genetic factors and gene–environment interactions in the pathophysiology of IBD among immigrants from LTHICs. The primary objectives of this Viewpoint are to [1] provide a focused overview of IBD epidemiology among immigrants from countries at differential IBD risk; [2] emphasize the potential to advance our understanding of IBD pathogenesis via targeted research efforts to delineate risk and protective determinants in this cohort; and [3] highlight disparities and barriers in IBD care, as well as the economic implications of the rising, yet underappreciated, disease burden among immigrants from LTHICs.
Fragility of identification in panel binary response models
Authors: Forchini Giovanni , Jiang Bin
Published: July 2019

The present paper considers a linear binary response model for panel data with random effects that differ across individuals but are constant over time, and it investigates the roles of the various assumptions that are used to establish conditions for identification. The paper also shows that even for this simple model, it is always possible—including in the logistic case—to find a distribution of the random effects given the exogenous variables, such that the slopes' parameters are arbitrarily different, but the joint distributions of the binary response variables are arbitrarily close.
ADAPT-treated pericardium for aortic valve reconstruction in congenital heart disease: histological analysis of a series of human explants
Authors: Nordmeyer Sarah , Kretzschmar Johanna , Murin Peter , Cho Mi-Young , Foth Rudi , Schlichting Uwe , Berger Felix , Ovroutski Stanislav , Photiadis Joachim , Sigler Matthias
Published: July 2019

OBJECTIVES

Different types of patch materials are used for aortic valve repair in children with congenital aortic valve disease to avoid early valve replacement. CardioCel© (Admedus, Toowong, QLD, Australia) consists of bovine pericardium treated with the ADAPT method (Admedus’ proprietary tissue engineering process).

METHODS

Our goal was to describe tissue reactions in 12 explanted aortic valve leaflet specimens (augmented or replaced with CardioCel patch material) (11 explanted surgically, 1 autopsy). Explantation was performed during reoperation after aortic valve repair, necessitated by aortic valve stenosis in 5, aortic valve insufficiency in 2, combined aortic valve lesions in 3 patients and endocarditis in 1 patient. One patient died of sudden left heart failure 28 months after aortic valve repair. At the last documented follow-up of this patient at 22 months, he showed mild aortic valve stenosis and insufficiency. Implantation time (time between implantation and explantation) of CardioCel patches was a median of 25 (range 11–47) months. Explants were examined using a uniform protocol with methylmethacrylate and/or paraffin embedding after fixation in formalin. Besides standard histological staining, von Kossa (for identification of calcifications) and immunohistochemical stains were applied with antibodies specific for muscular, inflammatory and connective tissue component antigens. Findings regarding the extent of appositional growth on top of the patch consisting of fibroblasts and extracellular matrix components, calcification, and inflammation were rated using a 4-grade scale (G0 no/G1 few/G2 moderate/G3 massive).

RESULTS

Superficial endothelialization was demonstrated in all patients by immunohistochemical analysis. Nine specimens showed mild inflammatory cell infiltration (G1) (G2: n = 3). Significant appositional growth on top of the patch due to addition of fibroblasts and extracellular matrix components, was seen in all specimens (G1: n = 1; G2: n = 7; G3: n = 4). Ten of 12 samples with implant times of 23 months or longer revealed calcifications (G1: n = 6; G2: n = 3; G3: n = 1). Two specimens with the shortest implant times (11 and 20 months) showed no calcifications (G0). Thrombus apposition with granulocyte infiltration was demonstrated in the specimen of the patient with endocarditis.

CONCLUSIONS

In our cohort, all CardioCel patches used for aortic valve repair in patients with congenital heart disease demonstrated appositional growth of fibroblasts and extracellular matrix components, and calcification after an implant time of at least 23 months.
The effectiveness of mandibular advancement devices in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea in adults: a methodological quality assessment of systematic reviews
Authors: Incerti Parenti Serena , Aroni Elena , Laffranchi Laura , Paganelli Corrado , Alessandri-Bonetti Giulio
Published: July 2019

Background and objectives

There is growing interest in the use of mandibular advancement devices (MADs) for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Many systematic reviews (SRs) have investigated their effectiveness, but the applicability of SR results is affected by their methodological quality. This study critically appraises the methodological quality of SRs on this topic using a more detailed and updated version of A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews (AMSTAR).

Materials and methods

The literature was searched for SRs on MAD effectiveness in adults (≥18 years of age) for OSA treatment as compared with other non-surgical or surgical interventions or no intervention. Any objective or subjective measures of treatment outcome were considered eligible. AMSTAR2 was used to assess methodological quality.

Results

The literature search yielded 64 potential reports; 10 met the eligibility criteria. All SRs had more than one critical flaw in AMSTAR2, so their methodological quality was rated as critically low. The most common issues included non-registration of study protocol, absence of list of excluded studies, no acknowledgment of fundings of included studies, no impact of risk of bias on SR results or interpretation and discussion of results, and data extraction not in duplicate.

Limitations

If a SR was not clearly identified by title or abstract as a SR or meta-analysis, it may have been missed during the screening process.

Conclusions

The methodological quality of SRs was suboptimal and warrants further improvement in order to provide strong evidence of MAD effectiveness and increase applicability of SR results for clinical decision-making.
Supporting the development of primary in-service teacher educators
Authors: Grassick Laura
Published: July 2019

English language as a compulsory component of primary state school curricula is a growing phenomenon around the world. One of the challenges of this lies in training the vast numbers of teachers required. To date there has been little consideration of how those tasked with facilitating the professional development of primary English language teachers might be supported and the kind of knowledge, skills, and understanding they might need. This paper explores the experiences of primary teachers and university lecturers learning to become in-service teacher educators in the context of primary ELT curriculum change in Vietnam. The findings provide insights into the participants’ understanding of primary English language teaching and learning and the new curriculum, their awareness of the classroom contexts in which primary teachers work, and their ability to support teachers in implementing the innovation. The implications of this beyond the context of the study are highlighted.
Relationship between coronary plaque morphology of the left anterior descending artery and 12 months clinical outcome: the CLIMA study
Authors: Prati Francesco , Romagnoli Enrico , Gatto Laura , La Manna Alessio , Burzotta Francesco , Ozaki Yukio , Marco Valeria , Boi Alberto , Fineschi Massimo , Fabbiocchi Franco , Taglieri Nevio , Niccoli Giampaolo , Trani Carlo , Versaci Francesco , Calligaris Giuseppe , Ruscica Gianni , Di Giorgio Alessandro , Vergallo Rocco , Albertucci Mario , Biondi-Zoccai Giuseppe , Tamburino Corrado , Crea Filippo , Alfonso Fernando , Arbustini Eloisa
Published: July 2019

Aims

The CLIMA study, on the relationship between coronary plaque morphology of the left anterior descending artery and twelve months clinical outcome, was designed to explore the predictive value of multiple high-risk plaque features in the same coronary lesion [minimum lumen area (MLA), fibrous cap thickness (FCT), lipid arc circumferential extension, and presence of optical coherence tomography (OCT)-defined macrophages] as detected by OCT. Composite of cardiac death and target segment myocardial infarction was the primary clinical endpoint.

Methods and results

From January 2013 to December 2016, 1003 patients undergoing OCT evaluation of the untreated proximal left anterior descending coronary artery in the context of clinically indicated coronary angiogram were prospectively enrolled at 11 independent centres (clinicaltrial.gov identifier NCT02883088). At 1-year, the primary clinical endpoint was observed in 37 patients (3.7%). In a total of 1776 lipid plaques, presence of MLA <3.5 mm2 [hazard ratio (HR) 2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–4.0], FCT <75 µm (HR 4.7, 95% CI 2.4–9.0), lipid arc circumferential extension >180° (HR 2.4, 95% CI 1.2–4.8), and OCT-defined macrophages (HR 2.7, 95% CI 1.2–6.1) were all associated with increased risk of the primary endpoint. The pre-specified combination of plaque features (simultaneous presence of the four OCT criteria in the same plaque) was observed in 18.9% of patients experiencing the primary endpoint and was an independent predictor of events (HR 7.54, 95% CI 3.1–18.6).

Conclusion

The simultaneous presence of four high-risk OCT plaque features was found to be associated with a higher risk of major coronary events.
Incidence of heart failure after pacemaker implantation: a nationwide Danish Registry-based follow-up study
Authors: Tayal Bhupendar , Fruelund Patricia , Sogaard Peter , Riahi Sam , Polcwiartek Christoffer , Atwater Brett D , Gislason Gunnar , Risum Niels , Torp-Pedersen Christian , Kober Lars , Kragholm Kristian Hay
Published: July 2019

Aims

The objective of the current study is to investigate the risk of heart failure (HF) after implantation of a pacemaker (PM) with a right ventricular pacing (RVP) lead in comparison to a matched cohort without a PM and factors associated with this risk.

Methods and results

All patients without a known history of HF who had a PM implanted with an RVP lead between 2000 and 2014 (n = 27 704) were identified using Danish nationwide registries. An age- and gender-matched control cohort (matched 1:5, n = 138 520) without PM and HF was identified to compare the risk. Outcome was the cumulative incidence of HF including fatal HF within the first 2 years of PM implantation, with all-cause mortality and myocardial infarction (MI) as competing risks. Due to violation of proportional hazards, the follow-up period was divided into three time-intervals: <30 days, 30–180 days, and >180 days–2 years. The cumulative incidence of HF including fatal HF was observed in 2937 (10.6%) PM patients. Risks for the three time-intervals were <30 days [hazard ratio (HR) 5.98, 95% CI 5.19–6.90], 30–180 days (HR 1.84, 95% CI 1.71–1.98), and >180 days (HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.04–1.17). Among patients with a PM device, factors associated with increased risk of HF were male sex (HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.24–1.43), presence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) (HR 1.64, 95% CI 1.29–2.09), and prior MI (1.77, 95% 1.50–2.09).

Conclusions

Pacemaker with an RVP lead is strongly associated with risk of HF specifically within the first 6 months. Patients with antecedent history of MI and CKD had substantially increased risk.
Maximum-fixed energy shocks for cardioverting atrial fibrillation
Authors: Schmidt Anders S , Lauridsen Kasper G , Torp Peter , Bach Leif F , Rickers Hans , Løfgren Bo
Published: July 2019

Aims

Direct-current cardioversion is one of the most commonly performed procedures in cardiology. Low-escalating energy shocks are common practice but the optimal energy selection is unknown. We compared maximum-fixed and low-escalating energy shocks for cardioverting atrial fibrillation.

Methods and results

In a single-centre, single-blinded, randomized trial, we allocated elective atrial fibrillation patients to cardioversion using maximum-fixed (360-360-360 J) or low-escalating (125-150-200 J) biphasic truncated exponential shocks. The primary endpoint was sinus rhythm 1 min after cardioversion. Safety endpoints were any arrhythmia, myocardial injury, skin burns, and patient-reported pain after cardioversion. We randomized 276 patients, and baseline characteristics were well-balanced between groups (mean ± standard deviation age: 68 ± 9 years, male: 72%, atrial fibrillation duration >1 year: 30%). Sinus rhythm 1 min after cardioversion was achieved in 114 of 129 patients (88%) in the maximum-fixed energy group, and in 97 of 147 patients (66%) in the low-escalating energy group (between-group difference; 22 percentage points, 95% confidence interval 13–32, P < 0.001). Sinus rhythm after first shock occurred in 97 of 129 patients (75%) in the maximum-fixed energy group compared to 50 of 147 patients (34%) in the low-escalating energy group (between-group difference; 41 percentage points, 95% confidence interval 30–51). There was no significant difference between groups in any safety endpoint.

Conclusion

Maximum-fixed energy shocks were more effective compared with low-escalating energy shocks for cardioverting atrial fibrillation. We found no difference in any safety endpoint.
Very late arrhythmia recurrences in patients with sinus rhythm within the first year after catheter ablation: The Leipzig Heart Center AF Ablation Registry
Authors: Kornej Jelena , Schumacher Katja , Sommer Philipp , Potpara Tatjana , Arya Arash , Dagres Nikolaos , Bollmann Andreas , Husser-Bollmann Daniela , Lip Gregory Y H , Hindricks Gerhard
Published: July 2019

Aims 

Arrhythmia recurrences after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) still remain an important management issue. Recently, the APPLE score had been introduced to predict rhythm outcomes within 12 months after catheter ablation, while the simple MB-LATER score was developed for the prediction of very late recurrence of AF (VLRAF) occurring after 12 months. The aim of this study was to compare APPLE and MB-LATER scores in predicting VLRAF.

Methods and results 

The study population included arrhythmia-free patients within first 12 months after first radiofrequency catheter ablation from The Heart Center Leipzig AF Ablation Registry. The APPLE [one point for Age >65 years, Persistent AF, imPaired eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2, Left atrial (LA) diameter ≥43 mm, EF <50%] and MB-LATER scores [one point for Male gender, Bundle branch block or QRS >120 ms, LA diameter ≥47 mm, AF Type (persistent AF), Early Recurrence <3 months] were calculated before and 3 months after ablation, respectively. We followed 482 patients {age 61 [interquartile range (IQR) 54–68] years, 66% males, 32% persistent AF} for median 40 (IQR 35–50) months. There were 184 patients (38.3%) with arrhythmia recurrences within 13–60 months after ablation. On multivariate analysis, APPLE [odds ratio (OR) 1.517, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.244–1.850, P < 0.001] and MB-LATER (OR 1.437, 95% CI 1.211–1.705, P < 0.001) scores and diabetes mellitus (OR 2.214, 95% CI 1.353–3.625, P = 0.002) were significantly associated with arrhythmia recurrences. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses demonstrated moderate prediction for both scores [area under the curve (AUC) 0.607, P < 0.001 for APPLE score, AUC 0.604, P < 0.001 for MB-LATER].

Conclusion 

Prediction of VLRAF is similar for both APPLE and MB-LATER scores. A better score remains still a clinical unmet need.
Effect of sulfite addition andpied de cuveinoculation on the microbial communities and sensory profiles of Chardonnay wines: dominance of indigenousSaccharomyces uvarumat a commercial winery
Authors: Morgan Sydney C , McCarthy Garrett C , Watters Brittany S , Tantikachornkiat Mansak , Zigg Ieva , Cliff Margaret A , Durall Daniel M
Published: July 2019

The microbial consortium of wine fermentations is highly dependent upon winemaking decisions made at crush, including the decision to inoculate and the decision to add sulfur dioxide (SO2) to the must. To investigate this, Chardonnay grape juice was subjected to two inoculation treatments (uninoculated and pied de cuve inoculation) as well as two SO2 addition concentrations (0 and 40 mg/L). The bacterial communities, fungal communities and Saccharomyces populations were monitored throughout fermentation using culture-dependent and culture-independent techniques. After fermentation, the wines were evaluated by a panel of experts. When no SO2 was added, the wines underwent alcoholic fermentation and malolactic fermentation simultaneously. Tatumella bacteria were present in significant numbers, but only in the fermentations to which no SO2 was added, and were likely responsible for the malolactic fermentation observed in these treatments. All fermentations were dominated by a genetically diverse indigenous population of Saccharomyces uvarum, the highest diversity of S. uvarum strains to be identified to date; 150 unique strains were identified, with differences in strain composition as a result of SO2 addition. This is the first report of indigenous S. uvarum strains dominating and completing fermentations at a commercial winery in North America.
Involvement of the stress-responsive transcription factor gene MSN2 in the control of amino acid uptake in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Mat Nanyan Noreen Suliani binti , Watanabe Daisuke , Sugimoto Yukiko , Takagi Hiroshi
Published: July 2019

The transcriptional factor Msn2 plays a pivotal role in response to environmental stresses by activating the transcription of stress-responsive genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Our previous studies demonstrate that intracellular proline acts as a key protectant against various stresses. It is unknown, however, whether Msn2 is involved in proline homeostasis in S. cerevisiae cells. We here found that MSN2-overexpressing (MSN2-OE) cells showed higher sensitivity to a toxic analogue of proline, l-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid (AZC), as well as to the other amino acid toxic analogues, than wild-type cells. Overexpression of MSN2 increased the intracellular content of AZC, suggesting that Msn2 positively regulates the uptake of proline. Among the known proline permease genes, GNP1 was shown to play a predominant role in the AZC toxicity. Based on quantitative real-time PCR and western blot analyses, the overexpression of MSN2 did not induce any increases in the transcript levels of GNP1 or the other proline permease genes, while the amount of the Gnp1 protein was markedly increased in MSN2-OE cells. Microscopic observation suggested that the endocytic degradation of Gnp1 was impaired in MSN2-OE cells. Thus, this study sheds light on a novel link between the Msn2-mediated global stress response and the amino acid homeostasis in S. cerevisiae.
Access to Abortion in Cases of Fatal Foetal Abnormality: A New Direction for the European Court of Human Rights?
Authors: Ní Ghráinne Bríd , McMahon Aisling
Published: July 2019

In contrast to the United Nations Human Rights Committee, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has not yet found that a prohibition of abortion in cases of fatal foetal abnormality violates the prohibition of torture or inhuman or degrading treatment under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights. We argue that the ECtHR is on the verge of aligning itself with the Committee because, first, recent ECtHR jurisprudence is broadening its interpretation of rights within the abortion context; second, the ECtHR frequently uses international law as an interpretative tool; and, third, moving in the direction of the Committee would not be as controversial as it may have been in the past. More broadly, we view the proliferation of international and regional human rights' treaty regimes as a positive aspect of international human rights law and demonstrate how a body established to adjudicate on human rights disputes can, with some ingenuity, broaden its approach on sensitive topics by engaging with views of other human rights courts and treaty monitoring bodies.
Who Is a Refugee in Africa? A Principled Framework for Interpreting and Applying Africa’s Expanded Refugee Definition
Authors: Wood Tamara
Published: July 2019

Africa’s expanded refugee definition – article I(2) of the 1969 Convention – provides the legal basis of protection for a significant number of the world’s refugees. It is a gateway to a host of rights aimed at protecting refugees from future harm and preserving their dignity until a durable solution can be found. The expansive nature of the African definition has seen it praised for being more humanitarian, more reflective of current causes of displacement, and an exemplar for the development of refugee protection regimes elsewhere. Despite this, the scope of the definition and the meaning of its terms remain poorly understood in both literature and practice. Attempts to interpret the definition to date have been largely superficial and often lacking in any principled interpretative framework. This undermines its implementation in practice, potentially risking the lives and security of those entitled to protection as refugees in Africa.

This article sets out a principled framework for interpreting and applying Africa’s expanded refugee definition. The framework is drawn from international law principles of treaty interpretation, as set out in the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties and customary international law. However, this article goes beyond merely reciting the relevant principles: it analyses their scope, applicability to Africa’s expanded refugee definition, and implications for the interpretation of the definition’s terms. It also identifies, and describes in detail, four key principles for interpreting the expanded refugee definition. These four key principles are critical to addressing the shortcomings of existing understandings of the definition and some of the main controversies that arise in its interpretation and application. They also provide a practical and accessible source of guidance for refugee status decision makers and others that could assist in promoting consistency, transparency, and fairness in refugee status determination within African States.
59 Genotypic effects of a Dopamine receptor type-2 SNP on growth and semen quality in beef bulls exposed to a dopamine agonist
Authors: DeCarlo Andrea N , Jennings Kaysie , Pratt Scott , Burnett Callie , Long Nathan , Bridges William , Kojima Cheryl
Published: July 2019

Ergot alkaloids (EA) share similar structural properties to neurotransmitters and are able to elicit physiological responses in cattle that consume them by binding receptors such as the Dopamine type-2 receptor (DRD2). A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in DRD2, previously found to be correlated to prolactin (PRL) serum concentrations was evaluated for impact on growth traits and semen quality parameters. Yearling beef bulls were allowed to graze a diet containing (E+) (n = 41) or lacking EA (E-) (n = 43) over a four-year study. Blood samples and semen were collected every 21 or 28 d. Semen motility, morphology, body condition score (BCS), and scrotal circumference (SC) were recorded. Prolactin (PRL) serum concentrations were assessed by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Bulls were sacrificed from the first year at the end of a 126-day period or 60 days after removal of treatment. Testicles and epididymis were collected and immunohistochemistry was performed on testis, epididymis, and sperm cells. Tissues and cells were incubated in the presence or absence of primary antibody against DRD2 with a DAPI counterstain. Isolation of DNA was performed on sperm pellets from semen collected using DNAzol (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA). Amplification of the DRD2 SNP region was performed by PCR and resulting products were assessed for genotype through restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. These data show the presence of DRD2 in the testis, epididymis, and sperm cells; however, semen quality and growth traits did not differ across DRD2 genotype or treatment. Body condition (P = 0.0009), SC (P = 0.0053), and semen velocity (P = 0.0398) differed across period. As expected, consumption of EA resulted in decreased prolactin serum concentrations (P = 0.0240).
66 Future-proofing the feedyard workforce: Survey of Texas beef cattle stockpeople indicates positive attitudes towards animals and the workplace while highlighting opportunities for improvement
Authors: Ridge Emily E , Gill Ron , Daigle Courtney L
Published: July 2019

A survey was administered to Texas cattle feedyard employees (n = 111) from 31 different operations measuring stockperson perception, job satisfaction, and socioeconomic status using Likert statements and multiple-choice questions. Differences among employment roles (manager, pen rider, processor, doctor) were evaluated using a Kruskal-Wallis test followed by a Multiple Comparison procedure. Managers more strongly agreed that “beef cattle are not dirty” than doctors (P = 0.03) and that “cattle behavior is affected by the way we treat them” than pen riders (P = 0.002) or processors (P = 0.01). Managers were less likely than doctors, pen riders and processors to believe they have too many cattle to look after (P = 0.05, P = 0.006 and P = 0.01, respectively). Pen riders reported less confidence in performing euthanasia than doctors (P = 0.02) and managers (P = 0.02), and, along with processors, agreed that cattle were not always euthanized in a timely manner (P = 0.02 and P = 0.02, respectively). While all roles viewed Holstein cattle unfavorably (P < 0.001), processors viewed them more positively than pen riders (P = 0.05) and managers (P = 0.001). Socioeconomic results showed that Texas feedyards have a dedicated, passionate workforce, with 43% of participants having worked in the industry for 9+ years and 49% of participants working at cattle feedyards because they enjoy working with animals. Unfortunately, it was evident that stockpeople are underpaid (57% of participants making between $10–15/hr) and overworked (76% of participants working 50+ hrs/wk). Survey responses identified critical role-dependent knowledge gaps and biases. A disconnect was observed among compensation, workload, and the duration of time stockpeople spend interacting with cattle. Increasing industry investment in feedyard employees and providing breed-specific and employee role-specific education may promote an encouraging workplace that ensures cattle experience good welfare.
71 Integrity Beef Alliance: II. Production and financial data analysis
Authors: Wells Robert S , Bradley Jason
Published: July 2019

The Noble Research Institute Integrity Beef Alliance (IBEEF) program which, emphasizes cow/calf best management practices and marketing has been in existence since 2000. From 2009 through 2017, weaning weight has averaged 268.5 kg, 28.6 kg heavier than the 2008 NAHMS data. Sale weights of spring born calves after a minimum 60 d preconditioning phase averaged 703 lbs. During the preconditioning phase, the cost of gain has averaged $0.34/kg and the value of gain has averaged $0.72/kg. Average preconditioning profit has been $0.38/kg. Total cost of preconditioning calves for at least 60 d for program participants has averaged $122.20/hd and total average profit has been $123.50/ hd. Calves have averaged 1.01 kg/d gain during the preconditioning phase. This value-added calf program has demonstrated an average of 5.77% and 4.80% increase in market value for steers and heifers over all other cattle marketed on the same day at the same sale venue (OKC West Livestock Market, El Reno, OK), respectively, since 2012. Relative to non-certified cattle, IBEEF cattle demonstrated an average of 5.76% and 6.27% increase in market value for steers and heifers, respectively. Membership has grown from 1139 hd with 11 members to 7521 head of calves enrolled by 51 member ranches.
65 On-farm demonstrations improve producer understanding of using metsulfuron for tall fescue seedhead suppression
Authors: Rogers Johnny R , Poore Matthew H , Ingram Sam , Harmon Deidre
Published: July 2019

In 2018, a series of 4 on-farm demonstrations were conducted using a metsulfuron herbicide for tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) seedhead suppression to increase producer awareness of this practice. Chaparral© herbicide was applied prior to the boot stage (April 5–April 21, 2018) and the design was an unreplicated field with side by side treated and untreated areas. Forage samples were taken to determine yield, nutritive value, species composition and ergovaline level. Treatment with Chaparral© increased crude protein (12.1 vs. 14.2%) while reducing yield (5477 vs. 3738 kg/ha) and tall fescue seedhead proportion (42.8 vs. 25.4%) (P < 0.05). Total digestible nutrients tended to be higher (57.2 vs 59.2%, P = 0.08) and ergovaline level tended to be lower (901 vs. 491 ppb, P = 0.11) with treatment. Workshops were held to report the demonstration results. Total workshop registration was 147 with 91 evaluations completed. Participants were 78% male and 22% female with 65% being over the age 50. The pasture hectares grazed by participants was 4253 with 1415 ha as hay. Attendee’s livestock inventories were 6357 beef cattle, 105 sheep, 66 goats and 70 horses. Post-workshop evaluation indicated that 100% of attendees increased understanding of fescue toxicosis, management strategies to reduce fescue toxicity and of using metsulfuron for seedhead suppression. Evaluations completed at the conclusion of each workshop (n = 90) indicated satisfaction with (scale of 1 = not satisfied to 4 = very satisfied, mean ± SD): instructors’ knowledge (3.86 ± 0.34), workshop environment/format (3.83 ± 0.37), and overall quality (3.82 ± 0.41). One hundred percent indicated that this workshop met their expectations and they would recommend it to others. Producer interest and responses indicate that on farm demonstrations are an effective method for education of new production practices
138 The Tifton Bull Evaluation Program: A 5-year review
Authors: Segers Jacob R , Duggin Jason , Stewart Lawton , Nyhuis Jacob
Published: July 2019

The Tifton Bull Evaluation Program is an educational program that utilizes an investment and reward system to convey livestock selection, nutrition, and data management education to beef cattle producers. The program is held annually at the Tifton Bull Evaluation Center in Irwinville GA. Consignors are required to pay nomination and testing fees to cover the cost of bull development. At 28 d intervals, BW is collected and used to calculate ADG, and weight per day of age (WDA). Carcass ultrasound data, scrotal circumference and beginning and ending hip height are also collected. At the end of the 112-d test, bulls in approximately the top two-thirds of each breed based on an index of ADG and WDA, and meet all standards for health and breeding soundness, are eligible for the sale. In the last 5 years, 769 bulls have been tested at Tifton. The respective sales resulted in 847 people having registered to bid with 329 actual buyers from 7 states purchasing 504 bulls for a total of $1,672,800.

As expected, Angus accounted for most bulls tested (48.7%) and sold (49.2%) with the average Angus bull worth $3,508, $195 more than the 5-yr average. Breeds with less than 5 entries per year were assigned to a single breed group (AOB). Bulls in the AOB group were the least valuable (average = $2,482) averaging $831 below the 5-yr average price. Lower feed costs have helped the program reduce test fees from $940 per bull in 2014 to a low of $760 and $765 per bull in 2017 and 2018; however, sale fees have risen from 3.39% in 2015 to 7.29% in 2018. No large changes have been noted in bull performance or carcass ultrasound parameters across years. Consignors have reported positive experiences with the program overall