bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemogenomic Active Learning's Domain of Applicability on Small, Sparse qHTS Matrices: A Study Using Cytochrome P450 and Nuclear Hormone Receptor Families
Authors: Rakers Christin , Najnin Rifat Ara , Polash Ahsan Habib , Takeda Shunichi , Brown J.B.
Published: December 2017

Computational models for predicting the activity of small molecules against targets are now routinely developed and used in academia and industry, partially due to public bioactivity databases. While models based on bigger datasets are the trend, recent studies such as chemogenomic active learning have shown that only a fraction of data is needed for effective models in many cases. In this article, the chemogenomic active learning method is discussed and used to newly analyze public databases containing nuclear hormone receptor and cytochrome P450 enzyme family bioactivity. In addition to existing results on kinases and G‐protein coupled receptors, results here demonstrate the active learning methodology's effectiveness on extracting informative ligand–target pairs in sparse data scenarios. Experiments to assess the domain of the applicability demonstrate the influence of ligand profiles of similar targets within the family.
Nurse species and indirect facilitation through grazing drive plant community functional traits in tropical alpine peatlands
Authors: Danet Alain , Kéfi Sonia , Meneses Rosa I. , Anthelme Fabien
Published: December 2017

Facilitation among plants mediated by grazers occurs when an unpalatable plant extends its protection against grazing to another plant. This type of indirect facilitation impacts species coexistence and ecosystem functioning in a large array of ecosystems worldwide. It has nonetheless generally been understudied so far in comparison with the role played by direct facilitation among plants. We aimed at providing original data on indirect facilitation at the community scale to determine the extent to which indirect facilitation mediated by grazers can shape plant communities. Such experimental data are expected to contribute to refining the conceptual framework on plant–plant–herbivore interactions in stressful environments. We set up a 2‐year grazing exclusion experiment in tropical alpine peatlands in Bolivia. Those ecosystems depend entirely on a few, structuring cushion‐forming plants (hereafter referred to as “nurse” species), in which associated plant communities develop. Fences have been set over two nurse species with different strategies to cope with grazing (direct vs. indirect defenses), which are expected to lead to different intensities of indirect facilitation for the associated communities. We collected functional traits which are known to vary according to grazing pressure (LDMC, leaf thickness, and maximum height), on both the nurse and their associated plant communities in grazed (and therefore indirect facilitation as well) and ungrazed conditions. We found that the effect of indirectly facilitated on the associated plant communities depended on the functional trait considered. Indirect facilitation decreased the effects of grazing on species relative abundance, mean LDMC, and the convergence of the maximum height distribution of the associated communities, but did not affect mean height or cover. The identity of the nurse species and grazing jointly affected the structure of the associated plant community through indirect facilitation. Our results together with the existing literature suggest that the “grazer–nurse–beneficiary” interaction module can be more complex than expected when evaluated in the field.
The Groot Effect: Plant facilitation and desert shrub regrowth following extensive damage
Authors: Lortie Christopher J. , Gruber Eva , Filazzola Alex , Noble Taylor , Westphal Michael
Published: December 2017

Deserts are increasing in extent globally, but existing deserts are decreasing in health. The basic biology and ecology of foundation plant species in deserts are limited. This is a direct study that provides an estimate of the capacity for a locally dominant foundation shrub species in California to recover from damage. Desert shrubs are cleared and damaged by humans for many purposes including agriculture, oil and gas production, and sustainable energy developments; we need to know whether foundation species consistently facilitate the abundance and diversity of other plants in high‐stress ecosystems and whether they can recover. A total of 20 Ephedra californica shrubs were clipped to the ground at a single site and systematically resampled for regrowth 2 years later. These shrubs were damaged once and regrew rapidly, and relatively, larger shrubs were not more resilient. This study provides evidence for what we termed the “Groot Effect” because smaller individuals of this shrub species can recover from significant aboveground damage and continue to have positive effects on other plant species (similar to the popular culture reference to a benefactor tree species). The density of other plant species was consistently facilitated while effects on diversity varied with season. These findings confirm that E. californica is a foundation species that can be an important restoration tool within the deserts of California in spite of extreme cycles of drought and physical damage to its canopy.
The effect of Opuntia ficus‐indica juice supplementation on oxidative stress, cardiovascular parameters, and biochemical markers following yo‐yo Intermittent recovery test
Authors: Khouloud Aloui , Abedelmalek Salma , Chtourou Hamdi , Souissi Nizar
Published: December 2017

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of a flavonoid‐rich fresh fruit juice on cardiovascular, oxidative stress, and biochemical parameters during the yo‐yo intermittent recovery test (YYIRT). Twenty‐two healthy males subjects participated in this study divided into two groups: An experimental group (EG: n = 11) who consumed the antioxidant supplement and a control group (CG: n = 11). All participants performed two test sessions at 07:00 hr before and after 2 weeks of supplementation with Opuntia ficus‐indica juice. Blood samples were taken before (P1) and immediately (P2) after the YYIRT. Our results showed that following the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐ picrylhydrazyl (DPPH●) test, the Opuntia ficus‐indica juice has an antioxidant capacity for capturing free radicals (p < .05) and reducing oxidative stress related to exercise. Concerning biochemical and cardiovascular parameters, our results showed a significant increase on total cholesterol (TC) (p < .01), triglycerides (TG) (p < .05), high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) (p < .01), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) (p < .01), creatine kinase (CK) (p < .01), lactate deshydrogenase (LDH) (p < .01), glucose (GLC) (p < .01), systolic (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p < .01) immediately after exercise. However, TC (p < .05), TG (p < .05) and LDL (p < .05), the maximal heart rate (HRmax), the CK (p < .05), and LDH (p < .01) as well as the malondialdehyde (MDA) (p < .01) demonstrated a significant decrease after supplementation of Opuntia ficus‐indica juice before and immediately after YYIRT. However, no significant effect on HDL (p > .05), GLC (p > .05) levels nor the SBP and DBP (p > .05) was observed after supplementation with Opuntia ficus‐indica juice. The supplementation leads to an improvement on YYIRT performance (The total distance covered during the YYIRT, VO2max, VMA) and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Opuntia ficus‐indica juice has a potent antioxidant activity that reduces total and LDL‐cholesterol with only a moderate lowering of HDL‐cholesterol and oxidative stress. Moreover, supplementation decreases muscle damage caused by the endurance exercise.
Application of GUSED‐VBS 2 Model for Flow and Sediment Transport in Vegetated Strips to Improve Water Quality
Authors: Akram Sina , Yu Bofu
Published: December 2017

Vegetated buffer strips change flow hydrology and sediment transport by increasing resistance to the flow and intensifying infiltration. GUSED‐VBS 2 is a process‐based mathematical model developed to simulate flow characteristics and the fate and transport of sediment in the backwater region upstream of vegetated strips and within them. The model also predicts the concentration and delivery of different particle sizes leaving the vegetated strips and reaching open water bodies. GUSED‐VBS 2 assumes that entrainment and deposition processes occur simultaneously and uses the Green–Ampt approach to simulate infiltration and gradually varied flow and kinematic wave approximation to simulate the water profile in the backwater region and within the vegetated strip respectively. The modified GUEST model approach was used to model the fate and transport of sediment in vegetated strips. Field data were used to evaluate the model predictions of the efficiency of vegetated strips in reducing runoff, sediment concentration and sediment delivery, and the results showed that GUSED‐VBS 2 performed much better in controlled conditions compared to field conditions. The performance of the GUSED‐VBS 2 and WEPP models in simulating particle size distribution in the outflow was compared with different model evaluation criteria and GUSED‐VBS 2 showed better performance compared to WEPP. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polarization‐multiplexed, dual‐beam swept source optical coherence tomography angiography
Authors: Yang Jianlong , Chandwani Rahul , Zhao Rui , Wang Zhuo , Jia Yali , Huang David , Liu Gangjun
Published: December 2017

A polarization‐multiplexed, dual‐beam setup is proposed to expand the field of view (FOV) for a swept source optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) system. This method used a Wollaston prism to split sample path light into 2 orthogonal‐polarized beams. This allowed 2 beams to shine on the cornea at an angle separation of ~14°, which led to a separation of ~4.2 mm on the retina. A 3‐mm glass plate was inserted into one of the beam paths to set a constant path length difference between the 2 polarized beams so the interferogram from the 2 beams are coded at different frequency bands. The resulting OCTA images from the 2 beams were coded with a depth separation of ~2 mm. A total of 5 × 5 mm2 angiograms from the 2 beams were obtained simultaneously in 4 seconds. The 2 angiograms then were montaged to get a wider FOV of ~5 × 9.2 mm2.
Enhancing knowledge of authorization requests through registry development
Authors: Kuntz‐Melcavage Kara L. , Gahagan Kyle DeCarlo , Fracasso Mark R. , Marsteller Jill A.
Published: December 2017

Understanding the member population to which medical coverage policies apply is important for ensuring the relevance of a health insurer's policies. The medical policy unit of our company developed a registry and workflow to enhance our knowledge about the members who seek authorization for bariatric surgery. Data captured in the registry have allowed us to construct a descriptive profile of the entire population that seeks bariatric surgery (both members who are approved and members who are denied). In addition, we have examined characteristics associated with denied authorization requests, determined the proportion of requests originating from specific insurance products, and studied the relationship between results on a specific laboratory test and authorization decisions. Given the growing importance of data in the realm of health care management, this article is an important demonstration of how data can be used to understand populations of members who are affected by medical policies.
UV‐Triggered Optical Response and Oxygen Scavenging Ability of a Water‐Soluble Poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide‐co‐2‐vinylbenzylanthraquinone) Copolymer
Authors: Karamitrou Melpo , Voyiatzis George A. , Kallitsis Joannis K. , Bokias Georgios
Published: December 2017

A vinyl‐modified anthraquinone (AQ) derivative (Vinyl‐AQ) is synthesized through a palladium‐mediated Suzuki coupling reaction between vinylphenylboronic acid and 2‐chloromethylanthraquinone and, subsequently, copolymerized with N,N‐dimethylacrylamide (DMAM) through free radical copolymerization in organic solvent. The chemical structure of the resulting water‐soluble copolymer, P(DMAM‐co‐AQ), is verified using techniques such as proton nuclear magnetic resonance, attenuated total reflection‐infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and UV–vis spectroscopy. The evolution of the oxygen scavenging abilities of aqueous P(DMAM‐co‐AQ) solutions after UV irradiation is monitored as a function of UV irradiation time, concentration of AQ moieties, and pH. The copolymer is proved an effective UV‐triggered oxygen scavenger, leading to dissolved oxygen contents below 1 ppm for the optimized experimental conditions. This behavior is related with the appearance of novel chemical species with interesting optical properties, as suggested by the respective evolution of the UV–vis absorption and photoluminescence spectra after UV irradiation.
Mechanical Properties of Cubic‐BN(111) Bulk Single Crystal Evaluated by Nanoindentation
Authors: Deura Momoko , Kutsukake Kentaro , Ohno Yutaka , Yonenaga Ichiro , Taniguchi Takashi
Published: December 2017

We performed nanoindentation measurements on the (111) plane of a cubic boron nitride (c‐BN) bulk single crystal and a c‐BN sintered compact at room temperature to evaluate the intrinsic mechanical properties of c‐BN. Our load–penetration depth curves for bulk single crystal feature a low noise level and small variation in the data. These features reflect the perfect phase purity and high crystal coherency of the c‐BN bulk crystal. The hardness and Young's modulus are determined to be 61 ± 1 and 1070 ± 30 GPa, respectively. These values are larger than those corresponding to the c‐BN sintered compact. The obtained Young's modulus followed a similar trend to previous experimental and calculation studies. Hence, we demonstrate the effectiveness of this evaluation method based on high‐quality bulk single crystals. We also compared the mechanical properties with our results for wurtzite boron nitride (w‐BN) bulk crystal.
A moisture‐incrementing operator for the assimilation of humidity‐ and cloud‐sensitive observations: formulation and preliminary results
Authors: Migliorini Stefano , Lorenc Andrew C. , Bell William
Published: December 2017

Being able to assimilate satellite radiances that are affected by cloud and precipitation is a key goal for the Met Office, as it is expected to provide improvements to forecast skill both at global scale and over the UK, at locations that are meteorologically important. The set of ‘control’ variables currently used for the minimization of the data assimilation cost function includes a single moist variable that accounts for total water (i.e. from all its phases) increments arising from moisture‐sensitive observations. The control variable defines a total water increment, which is partitioned by a suitably designed operator into specific humidity and cloud (liquid or frozen) water increments to be added to the forecast model's short‐range predictions. These incremented values are fitted to the observations during the minimization procedure and used to start the next forecast. This article discusses the design and initial testing of a new moisture‐incrementing operator with the following characteristics: (i) it is linearly related to the perturbation forecast (PF) model state; (ii) its physically based formulation is consistent with that of the cloud scheme operating within the PF model; and (iii) it is trained statistically to fit cloud‐water perturbations from the Met Office Global and Regional Ensemble Prediction System (MOGREPS), when the operator is fed with specific humidity and temperature perturbations also from MOGREPS. The moisture‐incrementing operator's formulation described in this article is relevant to meteorological centres that (plan to) make use of moist control variables that are linearly dependent on total (i.e. vapour plus cloud) water data‐assimilation increments. The initial validation results of the new operator show a neutral impact, arising mostly from changes in wind forecasts in the Tropics. Future work will test the performance of the new moisture‐incrementing operator with a set of observations that include cloud‐affected microwave radiances.
Practical Management of Fetal Obstructive Uropathy
Authors: Down Colin J. , Burns Jessica K. , Woodward Mark N. , Overton Timothy G.
Published: December 2017

Urinary tract dilatation is commonly identified on antenatal ultrasound. It represents a wide range of aetiologies including obstructive uropathy. Antenatal diagnosis and a consistent, evidenced based approach to follow up is essential in reducing neonatal morbidity and mortality. We present a summary of the current literature and a practical guide to the management of obstructive uropathy, including the normal sonographic features of the developing fetal urinary tract, antenatal diagnostic criteria and the approach to postnatal investigation and management.
Microbleeds are associated with depressive symptoms in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Leeuwis Anna E. , Prins Niels D. , Hooghiemstra Astrid M. , Benedictus Marije R. , Scheltens Philip , Barkhof Frederik , van der Flier Wiesje M.
Published: December 2017

Introduction

Co‐occurrence of cerebrovascular disease and depression led to the “vascular depression hypothesis”. White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) have been associated with depressive symptoms in population‐based studies. We studied the association between small vessel disease and depressive symptoms in a memory clinic population.

Methods

We included >2000 patients with subjective cognitive decline (SCD), mild cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Magnetic resonance imaging was rated for WMHs, lacunes, and microbleeds. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale. We performed logistic regression analysis.

Results

Depressive symptoms were present in AD: 17%; mild cognitive impairment: 25%; and SCD: 23%. SCD patients with WMHs showed higher propensity of depressive symptoms than AD patients with WMHs. AD patients with microbleeds were more likely to have depressive symptoms compared with AD patients without microbleeds (odds ratio = 1.70; 95% confidence interval: 1.08–2.68).

Discussion

Microbleeds are associated with depressive symptoms in AD, supporting a potential role of cerebral amyloid angiopathy in the occurrence of depressive symptoms in AD.
Optical coherence tomography findings in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Aydin Turkoglu Sule , Umit Dogan , Nur Ogun Muhammed , Fatih Ulas , Asena Keles , Nefise Ozturk Yavas , Serpil Yildiz
Published: December 2017

The aim of this study is to compare optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings of retinal thickness (RT) and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) patients to those of healthy subjects, and to investigate whether there is any relationship between the severity of the disease and the RNFLT values. This prospective study was included 25 IPD patients and 29 healthy controls. In the IPD group, the Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y), Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), and Mini‐Mental State Exam (MMSE) were performed. Intraocular pressure (IOP), visual acuity (VA), spherical equivalent, axial length (AL), and central corneal thickness (CCT) were measured using OCT in both groups. The RT was measured in the central retinal (RTc), nasal (RTn), and temporal (RTt) segments. Nasal (RNFLTn), nasal superior (RNFLTns), nasal inferior (RNFLTni), temporal (RNFLTt), temporal superior (RNFLTts), and temporal inferior (RNFLTti) measurements were made and mean RTFLT was calculated (RNFLTg) for each individual. In the patient group, IOP and VA values were statistically significantly lower The RTn and RNFLTg were significantly thinner in the patient group. There was no statistically significant relationship between the severity of IPD and these findings. In our study, RNFLTg and RTn were found to be thinner in the IPD group, which may have caused lower VA scores. The effects of retinal dopamine depletion on RT and RNFLT, and lower IOP values in the non‐glaucomatous IPD patients should be further investigated.
Changes in Oxygen Consumption and Heart Rate After Acute Myocardial Infarction During 6‐Month Follow‐up
Authors: Choe Yuri , Han Jae‐Young , Choi In‐Sung , Park Hyeng‐Kyu
Published: December 2017

Background

Exercise intensity is a particularly important determinant of physiological responses to exercise training in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Heart rate (HR) is commonly used as a practical way of prescribing and monitoring exercise as specific intensities based on a linear relationship between the percentage of maximum HR (%HRmax) and the percentage of maximum oxygen consumption (%VO2max) regardless of age, gender, or exercise mode.

Objective

To examine the change in variability in the correlation between %HRmax and %VO2max after acute myocardial infarction.

Design

Retrospective study.

Setting

Regional cardio‐cerebrovascular center at a tertiary hospital.

Patients

A total of 66 patients were enrolled who were referred for cardiac rehabilitation (CR) after percutaneous intervention, and who had reached stage 3 of the modified Bruce Protocol (mBP) on an exercise tolerance test (ETT).

Methods

There were 54 men and 12 women with an average age of 56.7 ± 9.48 years, ejection fraction (EF) of 56.4% ± 8.89%, and body mass index (BMI) of 24.73 ± 2.86 kg/m2. All patients participated in a 4‐week outpatient CR program and underwent ETT with a gas analyzer to determine maximal heart rate and maximal oxygen consumption before CR and 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after CR.

Main Outcome Measurements

VO2max and HRmax were defined as the highest values attained during the ETT. The HR and VO2 values at each stage of the mBP were expressed as percentages of their maximum. %HRmax and %VO2max were calculated at each stage of the mBP.

Results

The maximum METs and VO2max significantly improved at 1 month after CR, but not significantly at 3 and 6 months after CR. The correlation between VO2max and HRmax progressively changed in a favorable manner during CR. The relationship between %HRmax and %VO2max indicated a coefficient of variation before and 1, 3, and 6 months after of 0.800, 0.826, 0.832, and 0.880, respectively.

Conclusions

This study showed that the %HRmax correlates better with the %VO2max in the late‐stage post‐AMI than in the initial stage. We should therefore set and monitor the exercise intensity using maximal oxygen consumption in the early stage of exercise training after onset of acute myocardial infarction.

Level of Evidence

IV
The impact of gas turbine compressor rotor bow on aircraft operations
Authors: Smith E.O. , Neely A.J. , Palfrey-Sneddon H.
Published: December 2017

When a gas turbine engine is shut down it will develop a circumferential thermal gradient vertically across the compressor due to hot air rising from the cooling metal components and pooling at the top. As the hot compressor rotor drum and casing cool and contract in the presence of this thermal gradient, they do so non-uniformly and therefore will bend slightly, in a phenomenon known as rotor bow. Starting an engine under bowed conditions can result in damage, representing a risk to both airworthiness and operational capability. This study consolidates some preliminary findings by the authors relating to the drivers for rotor bow, such as engine geometry, aircraft-engine integration and rotor temperature on shutdown. The commercial and military operational considerations associated with rotor bow are also discussed, including limitations which may result from a bowed rotor; the influence of operations including the final flight and descent profiles, taxi procedures and rapid turnaround requirements; as well as some practical solutions which may be implemented to reduce the impact of rotor bow.
The mechanics of snow friction as revealed by micro-scale interface observations
Authors: LEVER JAMES H. , TAYLOR SUSAN , SONG ARNOLD J. , COURVILLE ZOE R. , LIEBLAPPEN ROSS , WEALE JASON C.
Published: December 2017

The mechanics of snow friction are central to competitive skiing, safe winter driving and efficient polar sleds. For nearly 80 years, prevailing theory has postulated that self-lubrication accounts for low kinetic friction on snow: dry-contact sliding warms snow grains to the melting point, and further sliding produces meltwater layers that lubricate the interface. We sought to verify that self-lubrication occurs at the grain scale and to quantify the evolution of real contact area to aid modeling. We used high-resolution (15 µm) infrared thermography to observe the warming of stationary snow under a rotating polyethylene slider. Surprisingly, we did not observe melting at contacting snow grains despite low friction values. In some cases, slider shear failed inter-granular bonds and produced widespread snow movement with no persistent contacts to melt (μ < 0.03). When the snow grains did not move and persistent contacts evolved, the slider abraded rather than melted the grains at low resistance (μ < 0.05). Optical microscopy revealed that the abraded particles deposited in air pockets between grains and thereby carried heat away from the interface, a process not included in current models. Overall, our results challenge whether self-lubrication is indeed the dominant mechanism underlying low snow kinetic friction.
Management Scholars’ Learning from History: Direct vs. Indirect Approach
Authors: Jing Runtian , Dong Mei
Published: December 2017

We appreciate this invitation to comment on the paper on Western perceptions of Chinese culture, to provide an insider perspective. Because of its unique perspective on Chinese historical teachings, the study reminds us about the challenges in learning and applying indigenous knowledge. For example, it compares the lens of war and business in many dimensions, such as a focus on an enemy (war) or on customers (business), a matter of life and death (war) or not (business), one competitor (war) or a number of competitors (business), deception (war) or secrecy (business), or a one-time relationship (war) or a long-term relationship (business). The paper offers us a striking warning about the risk of overdrawing historical analogies in management research.
WIGNER’S THEOREM IN -TYPE SPACES
Authors: JIA WEIKE , TAN DONGNI
Published: December 2017

We investigate surjective solutions of the functional equation $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle \{\Vert f(x)+f(y)\Vert ,\Vert f(x)-f(y)\Vert \}=\{\Vert x+y\Vert ,\Vert x-y\Vert \}\quad (x,y\in X), & & \displaystyle \nonumber\end{eqnarray}$$ where $f:X\rightarrow Y$ is a map between two real ${\mathcal{L}}^{\infty }(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4})$-type spaces. We show that all such solutions are phase equivalent to real linear isometries. This can be considered as an extension of Wigner’s theorem on symmetry for real ${\mathcal{L}}^{\infty }(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4})$-type spaces.
A prospective association between dietary folate intake and type 2 diabetes risk among Korean adults aged 40 years or older: the Korean Multi-Rural Communities Cohort (MRCohort) Study
Authors: Hong Sang M. , Woo Hey W. , Kim Mi K. , Kim Se Y. , Lee Young-Hoon , Shin Dong H. , Shin Min-Ho , Chun Byung-Yeol , Choi Bo Y.
Published: December 2017

It has not been well established whether dietary folate intake reduces the risk of diabetes development. We aimed to clarify the prospective association between dietary folate intake and type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk among 7333 Korean adults aged 40 years or older who were included in the Multi-Rural Communities Cohort. Dietary folate intake was estimated from all 106 food items listed on a FFQ, not including folate intake from supplements. Two different measurements of dietary folate intake were used: the baseline consumption and the average consumption from baseline until just before the end of follow-up. The association between folate intake and T2D risk was determined through a modified Poisson regression model with a robust error estimator controlling for potential confounders. For 29 745 person years, 319 cases of diabetes were ascertained. In multivariable analyses, dietary folate intake was inversely associated with risk of T2D for women, not for men. For women, the incidence rate ratio of diabetes in the third tertile compared with the first tertile was 0·57 (95 % CI 0·38–0·87, Pfor trend=0·0085) in the baseline consumption model and 0·64 (95 % CI 0·43–0·95, Pfor trend=0·0244) in the average consumption model. These inverse associations was found in both normal fasting blood glucose group and impaired fasting glucose group among women. Among non-users of multinutrients and vitamin supplements, the significant inverse association remained. Thus, higher dietary intake of folate is prospectively associated with lower risk of diabetes for women.
Neuroanatomical changes in people with high schizotypy: relationship to glutamate levels
Authors: Modinos Gemma , Egerton Alice , McLaughlin Anna , McMullen Katrina , Kumari Veena , Lythgoe David J. , Barker Gareth J. , Aleman André , Williams Steve C. R.
Published: December 2017

Background

Cortical glutamatergic dysfunction is thought to be fundamental for psychosis development, and may lead to structural degeneration through excitotoxicity. Glutamate levels have been related to gray matter volume (GMV) alterations in people at ultra-high risk of psychosis, and we previously reported GMV changes in individuals with high schizotypy (HS), which refers to the expression of schizophrenia-like characteristics in healthy people. This study sought to examine whether GMV changes in HS subjects are related to glutamate levels.

Methods

We selected 22 healthy subjects with HS and 23 healthy subjects with low schizotypy (LS) based on their rating on a self-report questionnaire for psychotic-like experiences. Glutamate levels were measured in the bilateral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and GMV was assessed using voxel-based morphometry.

Results

Subjects with HS showed GMV decreases in the rolandic operculum/superior temporal gyrus (pFWE = 0.045). Significant increases in GMV were also detected in HS, in the precuneus (pFWE = 0.043), thereby replicating our previous finding in a separate cohort, as well as in the ACC (pFWE = 0.041). While the HS and LS groups did not differ in ACC glutamate levels, in HS subjects ACC glutamate was negatively correlated with ACC GMV (pFWE = 0.026). Such association was absent in LS.

Conclusions

Our study shows that GMV findings in schizotypy are related to glutamate levels, supporting the hypothesis that glutamatergic function may lead to structural changes associated with the expression of psychotic-like experiences.
St. Augustine Against the academicians
Authors: Diggs Bernard J.
Published: December 2017

The writings of Augustine pose an interesting problem for the philosopher. Very soon after one begins reading them, there appears the old and apparently non-philosophical admonition: ‘Unless you believe, you will not understand.’ Is the autonomy of philosophy being threatened by this demand? Is reason being told that it must accept certain statements as true on authority other than its own? And if so, why?
An Emendation Proposed for the Text of the ‘Pistola’ of Cerveri de Girona
Authors: Spitzer Leo
Published: December 2017

I should like to suggest an emendation for line 40 of the poem of Cerveri de Girona that has been so carefully edited by Professor Kurt Lewent in Traditio 6 (1948) 161ff. The line reads in the manuscript: C'a vetz us paucs de mars. The context is as follows (stanza IV) :

No us faça trop lau dire

acuyllimentz ne dos

ne de non dire aunire.

C'a vetz

fay tals soletz assire

cuy platz asolaçars,

mas non an temps de rire

o no y tayn messios.

Gen chastiatz gardan

per que ne com ne qui,

c'om non es d'un semblan

tot l'an ne letz can ri.
An Unknown ‘Apology’ in Morgan Manuscript 641
Authors: Strittmatter Anselm
Published: December 2017

Following certain suggestions of the late Edmund Bishop, Father Joseph Jungmann, S.J., in his excellent book, Die Stellung Christi im liturgischen Gebet, discusses at some length the type of prayer which in the West was generally known as ‘Apologia Sacerdotis', though other titles too, are not infrequently found, e.g., ‘Excusatio’ or ‘Accusatio Sacerdotis', and occasionally some such neutral heading as ‘Oratio S. Ambrosii’, ‘Oratio S. Augustini’. The relevant material has been gathered by Abbot Cabrol, who presents a most useful (and at the same time curiously misleading) list of the prayers which belong to this class in his article, ‘Apologies' (DACL 1, 2591–2601). To this list very little, if anything, remains to be added, but for the sake of completeness there will have to be included in any corpus of apologies, if such a collection is ever undertaken, the interesting cento which is here published—as far as I am aware, for the first time.
Notes on Cyprian's De habitu virginum, Its Source and Influence
Authors: Donna Rose Bernard
Published: December 2017

The chief purpose of this paper is to discuss the influence which the De habitu virginum of Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage in the middle of the third century, may have exerted upon the De virginitate of Aldhelm, the earliest outstanding writer of seventh-century England. Cyprian himself was strongly influenced by Tertullian, as Sister Angela Elizabeth Keenan thoroughly demonstrated in her doctoral dissertation. Incidentally, Sister Angela Elizabeth refers to Aldhelm's quoting from chapter five of De habitu virginum. This reference led me to find out whether there might be other instances of Cyprian's influence on the De virginitate.
Studies in Byzantine Economy: Iugatio and Capitatio
Authors: Segrè Angelo
Published: December 2017

Diocletian imposed on the whole Roman Empire two new taxes, the iugatio, to be exacted from the cultivated land, and the capitatio, to be exacted from the agricultural population. The reform was effected in Egypt, and presumably in the whole Roman Empire, in the year 297 A.D., as shown by an Edict of Aristides Optatus, prefect of Egypt.
Bracton as a Computist
Authors: Schulz Fritz
Published: December 2017

An essoniatus de malo lecti is dispensed from appearing in court for a certain time, to wit, for a year. How is this time to be computed, if in its course there occurs the additional day of a leap-year? If e.g. the year, given to an essoinee, began on January 20th of a leap year, does the year end on the next 20th of January (so that the essoinee has a time of 366 days) or on the next 19th of January (so that the essoinee has a time of 365 days, as in a normal year)? Bracton discussed this question, on which there was a lively dispute among English lawyers of his time, in a long chapter of his treatise (fol. 359–360). Everybody who attempted to read this text unprepared, would soon push it aside in despair of finding any sense in this abstruse discussion. In fact Bracton's text has been spoilt by numerous ruthless interpolations which have rendered it entirely unintelligible. Such a text is of eminent value for everybody who is interested in the problem of the Bractonian text, for the process of deterioration is here more evident than elsewhere. Nevertheless nobody has hitherto tried to disentangle the ravelled skein and to reconstruct what Bracton actually wrote. The latest editor of the treatise, Professor Woodbine, has, according to his principle, abstained from emending what he believed to be the best text of our manuscripts. The inevitable result of this conservatism is, that the chapter is in his edition entirely unreadable just as in the older editions. At first sight it may seem hopeless to find a way through the jungle, but a minute and patient examination shows that the genuine Bractonian text may still be traced. We are fortunate enough to possess an unusually rich store of material for our inquiry, and by methodically using it we may confidently hope to reach our goal.
The Synodal Letter of Rimini and the Roman Canon Missae
Authors: Michels Dom Thomas
Published: December 2017

The origin of the actual Roman Canon missae, despite the labors of prominent scholars in the field of Liturgy, remains a secret. We agree with Dom Bernard Botte who declares in regard to questions concerning the Roman Canon:

Il faut reconnaître que jusqu'à present on n'a pas fait la lumière sur des questions très obscures et que les hypothèses les plus ingénieuses ne suffisent pas à satisfaire l'historien quand elles ne reposent pas sur un ensemble de faits bien établis. D'autre part, les hypothèses sont nécessaires à l'avancement de la science et il en est de très séduisantes. Le tout est de ne pas se laisser emporter par elles et de ne pas prendre pour la réalité ce qui n'est que construction provisoire.
Observance of the Purification in the East in the Seventh Century
Authors: Higgins Martin J.
Published: December 2017

Incidental to their account of a riot against the Emperor Maurice in 602, the Byzantine historians give some valuable information about the observance of the feast of the Purification. These passages are isolated and out of the way and have so far escaped the attention of students of the subject. The only purpose of the present note is to make them available.
Unusually high illness severity and short incubation periods in two foodborne outbreaks ofSalmonellaHeidelberg infections with potential coincidentStaphylococcus aureusintoxication
Authors: NAKAO J. H. , TALKINGTON D. , BOPP C. A. , BESSER J. , SANCHEZ M. L. , GUARISCO J. , DAVIDSON S. L. , WARNER C. , McINTYRE M. G. , GROUP J. P. , COMSTOCK N. , XAVIER K. , PINSENT T. S. , BROWN J. , DOUGLAS J. M. , GOMEZ G. A. , GARRETT N. M. , CARLETON H. A. , TOLAR B. , WISE M. E.
Published: December 2017

We describe the investigation of two temporally coincident illness clusters involving salmonella andStaphylococcus aureusin two states. Cases were defined as gastrointestinal illness following two meal events. Investigators interviewed ill persons. Stool, food and environmental samples underwent pathogen testing.Alabama: Eighty cases were identified. Median time from meal to illness was 5·8 h.SalmonellaHeidelberg was identified from 27 of 28 stool specimens tested, and coagulase-positiveS. aureuswas isolated from three of 16 ill persons. Environmental investigation indicated that food handling deficiencies occurred.Colorado: Seven cases were identified. Median time from meal to illness was 4·5 h. Five persons were hospitalised, four of whom were admitted to the intensive care unit.SalmonellaHeidelberg was identified in six of seven stool specimens and coagulase-positiveS. aureusin three of six tested. No single food item was implicated in either outbreak. These two outbreaks were linked to infection withSalmonellaHeidelberg, but additional factors, such as dual aetiology that includedS. aureusor the dose of salmonella ingested may have contributed to the short incubation periods and high illness severity. The outbreaks underscore the importance of measures to prevent foodborne illness through appropriate washing, handling, preparation and storage of food.
The impact of implementing a Xpert MTB/RIF algorithm on drug-sensitive pulmonary tuberculosis: a retrospective analysis
Authors: REES K. , MUDITAMBI N. , MASWANGANYI M. , RAILTON J. , MCINTYRE J. A. , STRUTHERS H. E. , FOURIE P. B. , PETERS R. P. H.
Published: December 2017

Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) is the preferred first-line test for all persons with tuberculosis (TB) symptoms in South Africa in line with a diagnostic algorithm. This study evaluates pre- and post-implementation trends in diagnostic practices for drug-sensitive, pulmonary TB in adults in an operational setting, following the introduction of the Xpert-based algorithm. We retrospectively analysed data from the national TB database for Greater Tzaneen sub-district, Limpopo Province. Trends in a number of cases, diagnosis and outcome and characteristics associated with death are reported. A total of 8407 cases were treated from 2008 until 2015, with annual cases registered decreasing by 31·7% over that time period (from 1251 to 855 per year). After implementation of Xpert, 69·9% of cases were diagnosed by Xpert, 29·4% clinically, 0·6% by smear microscopy and 0·1% by culture. Cases with a recorded microbiological test increased from 76·2% to 96·4%. Cases started on treatment without confirmation, but with a negative microbiological test increased from 7·1% to 25·7%. Case fatality decreased from 15·0% to 9·8%, remaining consistently higher in empirically treated groups, regardless of HIV status. Implementation of the algorithm coincided with a reduced number of TB cases treated and improved coverage of microbiological testing; however, a substantial proportion of cases continued to start treatment empirically.
Aggregate Relevant Claims in Rescue Cases?
Authors: PRIVITERA JOHANNA
Published: December 2017

In How Should We Aggregate Competing Claims, Alex Voorhoeve suggests accommodating intuitions about duties in rescue cases by combining aggregative and non-aggregative elements into one theory. In this article, I discuss two problems Voorhoeve's theory faces as a result of requiring a cyclic pattern of choice, and argue that his attempt to solve them does not succeed.
Self-exciting point process models for political conflict forecasting
Authors: JOHNSON N. , HITCHMAN A. , PHAN D. , SMITH L.
Published: December 2017

In 2008, the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency commissioned a database known as the Integrated Crisis Early Warning System to serve as the foundation for models capable of detecting and predicting increases in political conflict worldwide. Such models, by signalling expected increases in political conflict, would help inform and prepare policymakers to react accordingly to conflict proliferation both domestically and internationally. Using data from the Integrated Crisis Early Warning System, we construct and test a self-exciting point process, or Hawkes process, model to describe and predict amounts of domestic, political conflict; we focus on Colombia and Venezuela as examples for this model. By comparing the accuracy of fitted models to the observed data, we find that we are able to closely describe occurrences of conflict in each country. Thus, using this model can allow policymakers to anticipate relative increases in the amount of domestic political conflict following major events.
Subarachnoid haemorrhage from undiagnosed mycotic aortic aneurysm in a child
Authors: Shinkawa Takeshi , Ramakrishnaiah Raghu H. , Eble Brian K.
Published: December 2017

We report a case of subarachnoid haemorrhage resulting from a mycotic aortic aneurysm in a child with CHD. The patient previously underwent operations for CHD and had a subarachnoid haemorrhage of unknown cause before the scheduled re-operation. During the re-operation, a sealed rupture of an undiagnosed mycotic ascending aortic aneurysm was identified, and the causative organism was later identified as Streptococcus. A postoperative MRI indicated a partially thrombosed cerebral aneurysm. This case demonstrates that a mycotic aortic aneurysm can be a cause of intracranial haemorrhage in children.
Epinephrine syringe exchange events in a paediatric cardiovascular ICU: analysing the storm
Authors: Achuff Barbara-Jo , Achuff Jameson C. , Park Hwan H. , Moffett Brady , Acosta Sebastian , Rusin Craig G. , Checchia Paul A.
Published: December 2017

Introduction

Haemodynamically unstable patients can experience potentially hazardous changes in vital signs related to the exchange of depleted syringes of epinephrine to full syringes. The purpose was to determine the measured effects of epinephrine syringe exchanges on the magnitude, duration, and frequency of haemodynamic disturbances in the hour after an exchange event (study) relative to the hours before (control).

Materials and methods

Beat-to-beat vital signs recorded every 2 seconds from bedside monitors for patients admitted to the paediatric cardiovascular ICU of Texas Children’s Hospital were collected between 1 January, 2013 and 30 June, 2015. Epinephrine syringe exchanges without dose/flow change were obtained from electronic records. Time, magnitude, and duration of changes in systolic blood pressure and heart rate were characterised using Matlab. Significant haemodynamic events were identified and compared with control data.

Results

In all, 1042 syringe exchange events were found and 850 (81.6%) had uncorrupted data for analysis. A total of 744 (87.5%) exchanges had at least 1 associated haemodynamic perturbation including 2958 systolic blood pressure and 1747 heart-rate changes. Heart-rate perturbations occurred 37% before exchange and 63% after exchange, and 37% of systolic blood pressure perturbations happened before syringe exchange, whereas 63% occurred after syringe exchange with significant differences found in systolic blood pressure frequency (p<0.001), duration (p<0.001), and amplitude (p<0.001) compared with control data.

Conclusions

This novel data collection and signal processing analysis showed a significant increase in frequency, duration, and magnitude of systolic blood pressure perturbations surrounding epinephrine syringe exchange events.
Case report and review of the literature: the utilisation of a ventricular assist device as bridge to recovery for anthracycline-induced ventricular dysfunction
Authors: Krasnopero Diane , Asante-Korang Alfred , Jacobs Jeffrey , Stapleton Stacie , Carapellucci Jennifer , Dotson Mathew , Stapleton Gary
Published: December 2017

Ventricular assist devices are used in children with heart failure as a bridge to myocardial recovery or cardiac transplantation. Anthracyclines cause cardiac toxicity and may result in acute or long-term cardiac failure. We describe the use of a ventricular assist device as a bridge to recovery in a child with severe acute anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy, and we review the associated literature. A 6-year-old girl was treated for acute myeloblastic leukaemia with daunorubicin and mitoxantrone. After 2 weeks her final dose of chemotherapy, her Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction decreased to 21%. Despite initiation of medical therapy, she had continued deterioration of left ventricular function and developed evidence of poor end-organ perfusion. She was not a candidate for cardiac transplantation, as the post-transplant immune suppression therapy would put her at risk for recurrence of her malignancy. We placed her on a short-term ventricular assist device as a bridge to ultimately placing her on a long-term ventricular assist device versus continuing medical therapy. Her left ventricular ejection fraction improved to 55% 24 days after ventricular assist device insertion. She was separated from the ventricular assist device 26 days after its insertion. She was discharged home 29 days later and is now 28 months after ventricular assist device implantation with stable ventricular function, as documented by a left ventricular ejection fraction of 55%, and normal end organ function. This case is one of the only reports known describing successful use of a short-term ventricular assist device as a bridge to recovery in a child with severe acute anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity.