bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
¿Quién está preocupado por López Obrador? Las respuestas del mercado a las tendencias electorales durante la campaña presidencial mexicana del 2006
Authors: Benton Allyson Lucinda
Published: September 2018

This article addresses a key issue during the course of Mexico’s 2006 presidential campaign: How did markets react to changes in support for the left-leaning Andrés Manuel López Obrador (PRD)? To answer this question, I develop a series of alternative arguments for how investors would respond changes in PRD support during the campaign. I evaluate the arguments using a times series GARCH model. The results show that changes in the levels of support for the candidate did not affect market returns but they did affect market volatility. Increased electoral uncertainty, as margins narrowed, raised market volatility, while increasing electoral certainty, regardless of whether rises in support were for López Obrador or the market-friendly Felipe Calderón (PAN), reduced it. This finding reveals that investors may have accepted the prospect of a López Obrador presidency ahead of the election but not the possible post-election social and political instability associated with a tight race.
Notes on the Brazilian 2006 Presidential Elections: The Winding Road to Democratic Consolidation
Authors: Renno Lucio
Published: September 2018

The paper describes the main characteristics of the 2006 Brazilian Presidential elections. It explores two defining traits of this elections: the interplay between how retrospective economic voting and views towards corruption affected vote volatility and the final result of the election. The paper concludes by pointing out implications of the current elections to the strengthening of democracy in Brazil.
Plan Colombia II: ¿más de lo mismo?
Authors: Marcela Rojas Diana
Published: September 2018

In early 2007 the Colombian government introduced the Strategy for the Strengthening of Democracy and Social Development 2007-2013. This strategy is considered Plan Colombia’s second phase and it seeks to garner support from the international community to consolidate the Plan’s goals as well of those of the Policy of Democratic Security. This article analyzes the content of Plan Colombia II in order to identify the reasons for extending this strategy and the changes it contains compared to the initial plan. The author also highlights possible implications for state actions vis-à-vis the armed conflict and Colombian relations with the United States.
Cuantificando los efectos económicos del conflicto: una exploración de los costos y los estudios sobre los costos del conflicto armado colombiano
Authors: Álvarez Stephanie , Rettberg Angelika
Published: September 2018

It is common for both the practitioner and academic communities to consider the economic, political and social costs faced by combatant and non-combatant actors in the contexts of internal armed conflicts to identify the probability of a peace negotiation to occur. However, we know little about the dimensions of these costs. this article reviews both the official and the academic production on the different costs incurred by the colombian society and economy in the course of the country’s prolonged internal armed conflict. It identifies how these costs have been quantified by different authors and institutions and discusses some of the limitations of these studies. The article suggests that it would be convenient to specify the affected social sectors or productive activities at risk in order to fine tune our ability to identify, enlist, and mobilize crucial peacebuilding partners.
El campo artístico colombiano en el Salón de Arte de 1910
Authors: Garay Celeita Alejandro
Published: September 2018

This article analyzes the Salon of 1910, an art exhibition organized during the Centennial Exposition. It examines the agents involved in this exposition such as the Academy, the artists, the critics, and the jurors’ awards. The article employs Bourdieu’s field theory to explain developments in the arts in Colombia and to explore the links between the idea of the nation promoted by the Centennial and the artistic works exhibited in the Salon. The article offers, in the end, a novel and suggestive approach to historic and social processes in the arts in Colombia at the beginning of the 20th century.
La Doctrina de Seguridad Nacional: materialización de la Guerra Fría en América del Sur
Authors: Leal Buitrago Francisco
Published: September 2018

The article studies how the concept of national security was transformed dring the cold war into the Doctrine of National Security, and the way in which it was applied to the countries of Latin America under the nfluence of the United States. The role of the military in the application of this doctrine is underlined, as well as the fight against the internal enemy and its implications for the politics of the considered countries.
Dos lenguajes contrastantes en el arte colombiano: nueva figuración e indexicalidad, en el contexto de la problemática sociopolítica de las décadas de 1960 y 1980
Authors: Malagón-Kurka María Margarita
Published: September 2018

In 1999, The Museum of Modern Art in Bogotá organized an exhibition entitled "Art and Violence in Colombia since 1948." I explore the contrast, observed in this exhibition, between works done in the 1950s and 1960s by artists such as Alejandro Obregón, Norman Mejía, and Pedro Alcántara, and works from the 1980s and 1990s by artists such as Beatriz González, Óscar Muñoz, and Doris Salcedo. I analyze and compare the works of these two groups of artists in terms of their visual language, the themes they explore, and their relation to the changing socio-political environment in Colombia. I argue that the first group of artists used mainly a "neo-figurative" language within the context of the period of "La Violencia" (ca. 1945-1960). By contrast, the second group developed an "indexical" language while working under new socio-political conditions generated by an armed conflict that, by the 1980s, involved new participants, had expanded geographically and acquired a normalized character. The analysis and comparison between the two groups of artists allowed me to recognize that the contrast between their works implies significant differences in relation to how the artists perceived the human condition, violence, and their own artistic activity. These differences are indicative of an innovative trend in contemporary Colombian art that invites viewers to consider the works, as well as the human beings and actions they allude to, in a new critical and reflective manner.
La novela Yngermina de Juan José Nieto y el mundo racial del Bolívar Grande en el siglo XIX
Authors: Solano Sergio Paolo
Published: September 2018

Starting from the novel Yngermina (1844), the article reflects on the racial configuration of Bolívar Grande, showing that, even at the end of the nineteenth century, indigenous people still had a significant presence among the population and society of this part of Colombia's Caribbean region. It critiques those who have censured the novel's author for rooting his fictionalization of this region's formation in native peoples. It also analyzes why they were made invisible during that century, and why contemporary academic work reproduces this view. By introducing an hitherto-ignored ethnic variable, it adds a central element to current discussions on this region, nation, and identitarian relationships.
Effect of floods on the δ13C values in plant leaves: a study of willows in Northeastern Siberia
Authors: Fan Rong , Morozumi Tomoki , Maximov Trofim C. , Sugimoto Atsuko
Published: September 2018

Although stable carbon isotopic composition (δ13C) of plants has been widely used to indicate different water regimes in terrestrial ecosystems over the past four decades, the changes in the plant δ13C value under waterlogging have not been sufficiently clarified. With the enhanced global warming in recent years, the increasing frequency and severity of river floods in Arctic regions lead to more waterlogging on willows that are widely distributed in river lowland. To investigate the δ13C changes in plants under different water conditions (including waterlogging), we measured the δ13C values in the leaves of willows with three species,Salix boganidensis,S. glauca, andS. pulchra, and also monitored changes in plant physiology, under several major flooding conditions in Northeastern Siberia. The foliar δ13C values of willows varied, ranging from −31.6 to −25.7‰ under the different hydrological status, which can be explained by: (i) under normal conditions, the foliar δ13C values decrease from dry (far from a river) to wet (along a river bank) areas; (ii) the δ13C values increase in frequently waterlogged areas owing to stomatal closure; and (iii) after prolonged flooding periods, the δ13C values again decrease, probably owing to the effects of not only the closure of stomata but also the reduction of foliar photosynthetic ability under long period of waterlogging. Based on these results, we predict that plant δ13C values are strongly influenced by plant physiological responses to diverse hydrological conditions, particularly the long periods of flooding, as occurs in Arctic regions.
Characterization of retinal regeneration in adult zebrafish following multiple rounds of phototoxic lesion
Authors: Ranski Alexandra H. , Kramer Ashley C. , Morgan Gregory W. , Perez Jennifer L. , Thummel Ryan
Published: September 2018

Müller glia in the zebrafish retina respond to retinal damage by re-entering the cell cycle, which generates large numbers of retinal progenitors that ultimately replace the lost neurons. In this study we compared the regenerative outcomes of adult zebrafish exposed to one round of phototoxic treatment with adult zebrafish exposed to six consecutive rounds of phototoxic treatment. We observed that Müller glia continued to re-enter the cell cycle to produce clusters of retinal progenitors in zebrafish exposed to multiple rounds of phototoxic light. Some abnormalities were noted, however. First, we found that retinas exposed to multiple rounds of damage exhibited a greater loss of photoreceptors at 36 hours of light damage than retinas that were exposed to their first round of light damage. In addition, we found that Müller glia appeared to have an increase in the acute gliotic response in retinas exposed to multiple rounds of light treatment. This was evidenced by cellular hypertrophy, changes in GFAP cellular localization, and transient increases in stat3 and gfap expression. Finally, following the sixth round of phototoxic lesion, we observed a significant increase in mis-localized HuC/D-positive amacrine and ganglion cells in the inner plexiform layer and outer retina, and a decreased number of regenerated blue cone photoreceptors. These data add to recent findings that retinal regeneration in adult zebrafish occurs concomitant with Müller glia reactivity and can result in the generation of aberrant neurons. These data are also the first to demonstrate that Müller glia appear to modify their phenotype in response to multiple rounds of phototoxic lesion, exhibiting an increase in acute gliosis while maintaining a remarkable capacity for long-term regeneration of photoreceptors.
КАЛЬДЕРА ВУЛКАНА КСУДАЧ (КАМЧАТКА): СОВРЕМЕННЫЕ ПРОЦЕССЫ РЕЛЬЕФООБРАЗОВАНИЯ И ОСОБЕННОСТИ СТРОЕНИЯ ДОЛИННОЙ СЕТИ, "Геоморфология"
Authors: Лебедева Е. В.
Published: September 2018

Вулкан Ксудач (Камчатка) состоит из пяти полностью или частично вложенных друг в друга кальдер позднеплейстоценового (кальдеры I и II) и голоценового (III-V) возраста. Анализ процессов рельефообразования и строения внутрикальдерных речных долин позволяет заключить, что, несмотря на высокую голоценовую вулканическую активность (вулкано-тектонические обрушения, значительные объемы выброшенного пирокластического материала) верховья многих современных долин заложились еще на склонах кальдер I и II и продолжают функционировать и в настоящее время, являясь верхними звеньями более молодых голоценовых долин кальдер IV-V. Сохранившиеся позднеплейстоценовые фрагменты верхних звеньев речной сети продолжали концентрировать сток, в результате чего шло восстановление разрушенных при голоценовых извержениях нижних звеньев речной сети, но уже в зависимости от характера вновь сформированного вулканического рельефа. Рост вулканического конуса Штюбеля внутри кальдеры V оказал значительное влияние на ориентировку и морфологию прилежащих водотоков: в частности, привел к позднеголоценовой перестройке руч. Лагерного, который совершил поворот на 120°. Участок его древней долины сохранился в виде плоскодонной седловины на ЗЮЗ от кратера влк. Штюбеля, которая постепенно разрушается под воздействием эрозии. Большое влияние на речную сеть оказала и эксплозивная деятельность Ксудача: мощные пирокластические потоки неоднократно выполняли долины как внутрикальдерных водотоков, так и сходили по р. Теплой. Последующее врезание долин привело к формированию в них эрозионных и цокольных террас, сложенных пирокластическим материалом.
МОРФОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ КЛАССИФИКАЦИЯ МАЛЫХ ВОДОСБОРОВ В РЕЧНЫХ БАССЕЙНАХ ОСВОЕННЫХ РАВНИН, "Геоморфология"
Authors: Мальцев К.А. , Шарифуллин А.Г.
Published: September 2018

Проведена классификация малых водосборов по четырем морфометрическим характеристикам, определяющим энергию рельефа: средняя высота, вертикальная расчлененность, густота овражно-балочной сети и средний уклон. Для выполнения классификации был использован метод Варда, в качестве операционно-территориальной единицы использовался элементарный водосбор. Районирование позволяет разработать рекомендации по размещению сельскохозяйственных культур для снижения темпов смыва почв и уменьшения количества наносов, поступающих со склонов в русла постоянных и временных водотоков. Апробирование методики было выполнено в пределах верховьев р. Медведицы (бассейн р. Дон). Выделено шесть классов элементарных водосборов, проведено их ранжирование по энергии рельефа. Составленная карта районирования элементарных водосборов может быть использована для совершенствования структуры землепользования и включения в севообороты сельскохозяйственных культур, обладающих разной почвозащитной эффективностью.
ПЛЕЙСТОЦЕНОВЫЕ ПЕРЕСТРОЙКИ РЕЧНЫХ РУСЕЛ И СОВРЕМЕННОЕ РАЗВИТИЕ ПОЙМЕННО-РУСЛОВЫХ КОМПЛЕКСОВ ВЕРХНЕЙ КАМЫ, "Геоморфология"
Authors: Назаров Н.Н.
Published: September 2018

Верхние части бассейнов Печоры, Вычегды и Камы (северо-восток Восточно-Европейской равнины), бывшие в неоплейстоцене приледниковой зоной, - типичный пример территорий, в которых "строительство" отдельных участков речных систем происходило асинхронно и сопровождалось продолжительными паузами в развитии собственно руслового морфолитогенеза. Межбассейновые и внутрибассейновые перестройки речной сети сопровождались здесь периодическими катастрофическими сбросами вод из приледниковых водоемов и перехватами рек. Они сформировали особый тип речных долин, в которых сегодня наблюдается чередование разновозрастных участков, тем самым определив высокую степень разнообразия пойменно-русловых комплексов, как правило, не характерную для речных систем внеледниковой зоны. По особенностям формирования речной сети в пределах камско-печорско-вычегодского водораздела и смежных с ним территорий отдельные участки речных долин главных рек региона и их основных притоков могут быть отнесены к нескольким типам: однонаправленного прерывисто-руслового развития, двунаправленного прерывисто-руслового развития, долинам прорыва, озерно-руслового развития. Для каждого типа (участка) долины характерны свои значения ширины, коэффициента извилистости и уклона русла, ширины пояса меандрирования, интенсивности и активности горизонтальных русловых деформаций, а также высокая степень индивидуальности по составу типов пойм.
ЕСТЕСТВЕННЫЕ И АНТРОПОГЕННЫЕ НАПРАВЛЕННЫЕ ВЕРТИКАЛЬНЫЕ ДЕФОРМАЦИИ РУСЕЛ РЕК, "Геоморфология"
Authors: БЕРКОВИЧ К.М. , ЗЛОТИНА Л.В. , ТУРЫКИН Л.А.
Published: September 2018

Направленные вертикальные деформации - это систематическое врезание или отложение наносов на значительном протяжении реки, в процессе которого происходит повышение или понижение высотного положения продольного профиля реки и изменение его формы. Современные деформации происходят во временном интервале, документируемом историческими материалами и непосредственными наблюдениями, который охватывает несколько столетий, развиваются под влиянием человека или имеют чисто антропогенное происхождение, хотя известную роль играют естественные деформации, обусловленные тектоникой и изменениями климата. Для анализа динамики процесса вертикальных деформаций русла использованы, кроме литературных источников по ряду рек Мира, материалы исследований участков р. Оби выше и ниже Новосибирского водохранилища, участка нижнего бьефа Воткинского гидроузла на р. Каме, участков рек Томи, Оки, Белой с массовыми русловыми карьерами, на которых авторами выполнялись и выполняются в настоящее время исследования русловых процессов. Постройка плотин и создание водохранилищ, а также добыча строительных материалов из русел рек наиболее заметно способствуют развитию вертикальных деформаций. Анализ материалов показал, что как процесс врезания ниже плотин и на участках русловых карьеров, так и процесс регрессивной аккумуляции выше водохранилищ описывается экспоненциальной зависимостью, отражающей асимптотический характер понижения или повышения дна. Коэффициенты зависимости зависят от подвижности русла. В ходе врезания русло реки становится все менее подвижным, и его восстановление может происходить в другой гидрологической и геоморфологической обстановке.
ГЕОМОРФОЛОГИЧЕСКИЕ ОСОБЕННОСТИ СТРОЕНИЯ КОТЛОВИНЫ И ТРОГА УЛЛЫНДО (ЮЖНАЯ ЧАСТЬ ЯПОНСКОГО МОРЯ), "Геоморфология"
Authors: Ломтев В.Л.
Published: September 2018

Данные одно- и многоканального сейсмопрофилирования и бурения позволили установить новые черты строения котловины и трога Уллындо и их неоген-четвертичного чехла. Эти формы возникли в среднем-позднем плейстоцене в результате контрастных тектонических движений, активного вулканизма и связанного с ним компенсационного опускания дна на 2-2.5 км и инверсии приосевой части краевого прогиба Нактон (хребет Оки). Впервые выявлено, что накопление осадочного чехла этой котловины шло за счет отложений р. Хуанхэ: в неогене-раннем плейстоцене ее косослоистые отложения, формировавшие дельту, авандельту и конус выноса реки, постепенно заполняли краевой прогиб Нактон. Образование котловины Уллындо сопровождалось также оползанием края авандельты, которое продолжается и в настоящее время - зафиксированы блоковые, возможно цунамигенные, оползни. На временных разрезах непрерывного сейсмопрофилирования обнаружены признаки газо- и, возможно, нефтеносности отложений конуса выноса (верхняя контрастная и нижняя полупрозрачная толщи).
Improving the early screening procedure for autism spectrum disorder in young children: Experience from a community‐based model in shanghai
Authors: Li Chunyang , Zhu Guowei , Feng Jingjing , Xu Qiong , Zhou Zhaoe , Zhou Bingrui , Hu Chunchun , Liu Chunxue , Li Huiping , Wang Yi , Yan Weili , Ge Xiaoling , Xu Xiu
Published: September 2018

Most children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are not diagnosed until the age of 4, thus missing the opportunity for early intervention. The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an early screening program for ASD applied during well‐child visits in a community‐based sample. The study lasted for 4 years and was divided into two stages. Stage I involved the implementation of the basic screening model in 2014. Toddlers received level 1 screening via section A of the Chinese‐validated version of the Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (CHAT‐23) during 18‐ and 24‐month well‐child visits in Xuhui District, Shanghai, China. Screen‐positive children were referred to receive section B of the CHAT‐23 for level 2 screening, and those still screen‐positive were referred to undergo diagnosis and evaluation. Stage II involved the implementation of the improved screening model from 2015 to 2017 with the following modifications: (a) an added observational component in level 1 screening; (b) telephone follow‐ups with the screen‐positive families; and (c) dissemination of information on ASD to families. The results showed that 42 of 22,247 screened children were diagnosed with ASD. The ASD diagnosis rates were 0.1% in Stage I and 0.21% in Stage II. The screen‐positive rate and the show rate of referral for level 1 screening increased by 76.92% and 58.43%, respectively, in Stage II compared to Stage I. Our results suggest that with appropriate logistic support, this two‐level screening model is feasible and effective for the early screening of ASD during well‐child visits. Autism Res 2018, 11: 1206–1217. © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay summary

Difficulty in the timely identification of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) results in missed opportunities for many ASD children to receive early intervention. In this study, we established an early screening model for ASD among children aged 18–24 months in the community by relying on the three‐level child healthcare system in China. The results showed that this model can effectively identify and diagnose ASD in children at an early age and thus enable early intervention.
Hybrid‐stenting with metallic and bioresorbable drug‐eluting stents 2‐year clinical outcomes in KUM ABSORB registry
Authors: Baquet Moritz , Grundmann David , Schmidt Wolfgang , Thienel Manuela , Jochheim David , Tesche Christian , Theiss Hans Diogenes , Brunner Stefan , Massberg Steffen , Mehilli Julinda
Published: September 2018

Aim and Objective

We sought to investigate and compare outcomes 2 years after Hybrid‐stenting with bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) and contemporary metallic drug‐eluting stents (DES) within the same coronary lesion versus BVS alone.

Methods

Between 11/2012 and 7/2015 at our institution, 134 (33.2%) were treated with Hybrid‐stenting for complex or long coronary lesions, 270 patients were treated by BVS alone. The primary outcome of interest was target lesion failure (TLF) at 2‐years of follow‐up.

Results

Patients treated by Hybrid‐stenting were more frequently men (80% vs. 70%, p = 0.04) had extensive multivessel disease (84% vs. 71%, p < 0.01) including more complex (89% vs. 52%, p < 0.01) and longer lesions (28.9 mm vs 16.4 ± mm, p < 0.01) resulting in longer treated segments (47.3 mm vs 21.5 mm, p < 0.01) and more residual in‐segment stenosis (12.3% vs 8.5%, p < 0.01) compared to BVS alone patients. At 2 years, cumulative incidence of TLF was 9.7% of Hybrid‐stenting patients and 11.5% of BVS alone patients (p = 0.62), myocardial infarction (3.0% vs 4.1%, p = 0.59) and mortality (1.5% vs 4.1%, p = 0.17), respectively.

Target lesion revascularization occurred in 9 Hybrid‐stenting patients (2 located in DES) and in 20 BVS alone patients, cumulative incidence 6.7% vs. 7.4% (p = 0.80). Chronic kidney disease and residual in‐segment stenosis >30% were identified as independent predictors of TLF at 2‐years.

Conclusion

Despite differences in clinical and angiographic profile, Hybrid‐stenting performed similar to BVS alone at 2 years after percutaneous coronary intervention.
Enhancing Type I Photochemistry in Photodynamic Therapy Under Near Infrared Light by Using Antennae–Fullerene Complexes
Authors: Li Qian , Huang Chun , Liu Liwei , Hu Rui , Qu Junle
Published: September 2018

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been developed as salvage or palliative treatment for a wide range of tumors. The principle underlying this therapy is the generation of reactive oxygen species through two types of photochemical pathways. As compared with the type II pathway, the type I pathway offers a higher oxidizing ability for photosensitive residues such as tryptophan, lower oxygen dependency, and deeper tissue penetration ability. In this review, we focus on the enhancement of the type I pathway in the near infrared (NIR) optical therapeutic window of wavelength 700–1,100 nm by using antennae–fullerene complexes. When photo‐induced electron transfer occurs from antennas to fullerene, the pathway switches from type II to type I. Enhancing the type I pathway leads to less oxygen dependency and stronger capacity for tryptophan oxidation. Then, antennae that transfer long‐wavelength light (e.g., NIR light) energy to fullerene via photo‐induced energy and/or electron transfer have the ability to affect deep‐seated tumors. On the basis of theories on photo‐induced energy/electron transfer in other fields such as solar cells, here, we summarize the mechanism by which the switch from the type II to type I pathway occurs in antenna–fullerene‐based PDT.
Discrimination of apples with standardized data from an electronic nose
Authors: Asakawa Mayuko , Yamanaka Yuta , Fujioka Kouki , Manome Yoshinobu
Published: September 2018

This study aims to utilize information of aroma data from sensing technology for virtual reality space. We applied FF‐2A sensor for discrimination testing of several fruits’ aroma and investigated the discrimination accuracy of the installed sensors. Our results indicated that the aroma of apples can be distinguished from other fruits by analyzing standardized data from specific sensors, and then be divided into two groups by the inclusion of an apple flavor. Our discrimination system may be useful to share the aroma information with remote location in future.
Real‐world safety and efficacy of sofosbuvir and ledipasvir for elderly patients
Authors: Tamai Hideyuki , Shingaki Naoki , Ida Yoshiyuki , Shimizu Ryo , Maeshima Shuya , Okamura Junpei , Kawashima Akira , Nakao Taisei , Hara Takeshi , Matsutani Hiroyoshi , Nishikawa Izumi , Higashi Katsuhiko
Published: September 2018

Background and Aim

In September 2015, sofosbuvir and ledipasvir were approved for clinical use in Japan for patients infected with genotype 1 hepatitis C virus. We conducted a postmarketing prospective cohort study to elucidate the safety and efficacy of this therapy in a real‐world setting.

Methods

We treated 509 patients using standard doses of sofosbuvir and ledipasvir for 12 weeks. As sustained virological response (SVR) in 2 patients could not be evaluated, 507 patients were finally analyzed. Patients with daclatasvir plus asunaprevir failure were excluded.

Results

Four patients (0.8%) discontinued treatment due to adverse events. SVR rates for the overall cohort, patients <65 years old, ≥65 and <75 years old, and ≥75 years old were 98% (495/507), 98% (161/163), 96% (179/186), and 98% (155/158), respectively. SVR rates among cirrhotic patients, patients with moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD), patients with a history of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment, patients with protease inhibitor (PI) triple therapy failure, and patients with resistance‐associated substitutions (RASs) to nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) were 97% (228/235), 98% (117/119), 95% (95/100), 94% (46/49), and 92% (44/48), respectively. In the comparison of factors between patients with and without SVR, high body weight, discontinuation of therapy, and NS5A RASs were significantly associated with non‐SVR.

Conclusions

In this real‐world setting, sofosbuvir and ledipasvir were a safe treatment even in patients ≥75 years old. When patients without pre‐existing NS5A RASs and daclatasvir plus asunaprevir failure are selected, extremely high SVR rates can be achieved irrespective of age.
Lactase deficiency and lactose intolerance in a multiracial Asian population in Malaysia
Authors: Goh Li‐Han , Mohd Said Rosaida , Goh Khean‐Lee
Published: September 2018

Background and Aims

There have been few reports on lactase deficiency (LD) and lactose intolerance (LI) in Malaysia, which has a peculiar mix of three distinct major Asian races—Malay, Chinese, and Indian. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of LD and LI in a young multiethnic Malaysian population.

Methods

Lactase activity was measured with a 13CO2 lactose breath test using an infrared spectrometer. Each subject took 25 g of lactose naturally enriched in 13CO2 together with 250 mL of water after an overnight fast. Breath samples were collected at baseline and at 15‐min intervals for 180 min. Subjects were asked to report gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms following ingestion of the lactose test meal.

Results

Of the 248 subjects tested, 216 (87.1%) were lactase deficient. We found no significant differences in the presentation of LD between gender and races. LD was found in 87.5% of males and 86.8% of females (P = 0.975) and in different races: Chinese (88.5%) versus Malay (83.1%) (P = 0.399), Indian (90.5%) versus Malay (P = 0.295), and Chinese versus Indian (P = 0.902). LI was diagnosed in only 49 (19.8%) subjects; 35 patients had diarrhea, while the remainder had at least two other GI symptoms after the lactose meal.

Conclusion

The prevalence of LD was high in all three major ethnic groups—Malays, Chinese, and Indians. Ironically, the prevalence of LI was low overall.
Prostate Cancer Differentiation and Aggressiveness: Assessment With a Radiomic‐Based Model vs. PI‐RADS v2
Authors: Chen Tong , Li Mengjuan , Gu Yuefan , Zhang Yueyue , Yang Shuo , Wei Chaogang , Wu Jiangfen , Li Xin , Zhao Wenlu , Shen Junkang
Published: September 2018

Background

Multiparametric MRI (mp‐MRI) combined with machine‐aided approaches have shown high accuracy and sensitivity in prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis. However, radiomics‐based analysis has not been thoroughly compared with Prostate Imaging and Reporting and Data System version 2 (PI‐RADS v2) scores.

Purpose

To develop and validate a radiomics‐based model for differentiating PCa and assessing its aggressiveness compared with PI‐RADS v2 scores.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

In all, 182 patients with biopsy‐proven PCa and 199 patients with a biopsy‐proven absence of cancer were enrolled in our study.

Field Strength/Sequence

Conventional and diffusion‐weighted MR images (b values = 0, 1000 sec/mm2) were acquired on a 3.0T MR scanner.

Assessment

A total of 396 features and 385 features were extracted from apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) images and T2WI, respectively. A predictive model was constructed for differentiating PCa from non‐PCa and high‐grade from low‐grade PCa. The diagnostic performance of each radiomics‐based model was compared with that of the PI‐RADS v2 scores.

Statistical Tests

A radiomics‐based predictive model was constructed by logistic regression analysis. 70% of the patients were assigned to the training group, and the remaining were assigned to the validation group. The diagnostic efficacy was analyzed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) in both the training and validation groups.

Results

For PCa versus non‐PCa, the validation model had an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.985, 0.982, and 0.999 with T2WI, ADC, and T2WI&ADC features, respectively. For low‐grade versus high‐grade PCa, the validation model had an AUC of 0.865, 0.888, and 0.93 with T2WI, ADC, and T2WI&ADC features, respectively. PI‐RADS v2 had an AUC of 0.867 in differentiating PCa from non‐PCa and an AUC of 0.763 in differentiating high‐grade from low‐grade PCa.

Data Conclusion

Both the T2WI‐ and ADC‐based radiomics models showed high diagnostic efficacy and outperformed the PI‐RADS v2 scores in distinguishing cancerous vs. noncancerous prostate tissue and high‐grade vs. low‐grade PCa.

Level of Evidence: 3

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:875–884.
Volume‐Based vs Rate‐Based Enteral Nutrition in the Intensive Care Unit: Impact on Nutrition Delivery and Glycemic Control
Authors: Roberts Susan , Brody Rebecca , Rawal Shristi , Byham‐Gray Laura
Published: September 2018

Background

Underfeeding with enteral nutrition (EN) is prevalent in intensive care units (ICUs) and associated with negative outcomes. This study evaluated the impact of volume‐based EN (VBEN) vs rate‐based EN (RBEN) on delivery of prescribed energy and protein, and glycemic control (GC).

Methods

This retrospective study included adult patients who require mechanical ventilation within 48 hours of ICU admission and with an RBEN (n = 85) or VBEN (n = 86) order for ≥3 consecutive days during the first 12 ICU days.

Results

Patients receiving VBEN, vs RBEN, received more prescribed energy (RBEN, 67.6%; VBEN, 79.6%; P < .001) and protein (RBEN, 68.6%; VBEN, 79.3%; P < .001). Multiple linear regression analyses confirmed VBEN was significantly associated with an 8.9% increase in energy (P = .002) and 7.7% increase in protein (P = .004) received, after adjusting for age, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, duration of and initiation day for EN, and ICU admission location. Presence of hyperglycemia (P = .40) and glycemic variability (GV) (P = .99) were not different between the 2 groups. After adjusting for age, body mass index, diabetes history, primary diagnosis, and percent of days receiving corticosteroids, GC outcomes (presence of hyperglycemia, P = .27; GV, P = .67) remained unrelated to EN order type in multivariable regression models.

Conclusion

VBEN, compared with RBEN, was associated with increased energy and protein delivery without adversely affecting GC. These results suggest VBEN is an effective, safe strategy to enhance EN delivery in the ICU.
Preparation of stoichiometric molecularly imprinted polymer coatings on magnetic particles for the selective extraction of auramine O from water
Authors: Yang Wenwu , Muhammad Turghun , Yigaimu Aziguli , Muhammad Kipayem , Chen Lingxin
Published: September 2018

A novel magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer for the selective recognition of auramine O was rationally designed via screening from a library of nonimprinted polymers. A stoichiometric ratio of functional monomer (itaconic acid) and template molecule (auramine O) was found to be 1.5. Meanwhile, the synthesized SiO2@Fe3O4 was modified by 0.5 mol/L hydrochloric acid to facilitate the preparation of magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer particles. Adsorption experiments showed that the magnetic polymer particles exhibited good selectivity, recoveries, and enrichment performance. The stoichiometric imprinted polymers have been employed for the selective preconcentration of auramine O from lake water sample. The high specificity of the stoichiometric imprinted polymers was proven in the extraction of mixture solution of auramine O, auramine O hydrochloride, and chrysoidine, and the recoveries ranged between 99.66 and 108.75% (RSD 2.6–3.7%, n = 3) for lake water. These results suggest that this method is effective and can be successfully applied to the analysis of auramine O in environmental water samples.
Comparing acoustic classification methods to estimate krill biomass in the Georges Bank region from 1999 to 2012
Authors: Jech J. Michael , Lawson G. L. , Lowe M. R.
Published: September 2018

Krill are a critical component of northern‐latitude ecosystems, yet are poorly monitored in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank regions of the northeast United States continental shelf. We applied five acoustic classification methods (multifrequency single‐beam index [MFSBI], dB‐differencing, multifrequency index [MFI], and two variations of the Z‐score method) to acoustic data collected during surveys conducted annually in the Georges Bank region in order to map krill spatial distribution from 1999 to 2012. Material properties (sound speed and mass density) of krill and length data from net samples collected in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank regions were used in conjunction with distorted wave Born approximation (DWBA) predicted target strengths to scale acoustic data to estimates of biomass for the Georges Bank region. All methods require a priori information, ranging from training sets (i.e., empirically based classification) to validated acoustic models of target strength (i.e., theoretically based classification) for the species and acoustic frequencies of interest. Incorporating predicted backscatter from theoretical models can improve confidence in classification, especially when clean training sets are not available, but does come at the cost of a validated acoustic backscatter model. The biomass estimates from the four acoustic classification methods were comparable among each other, with the MFSBI method consistently estimating lowest biomass and the empirically based Z‐score consistently estimating highest biomass. Comparisons to net‐based estimates were inconsistent, most likely due to net inefficiency (low catchability), targeting of layers, and scaling point estimates to regions.
Quantitative Proteomic Analysis Reveals Caffeine‐Perturbed Proteomic Profiles in Normal Bladder Epithelial Cells
Authors: Shahid Muhammad , Kim Minhyung , Yeon Austin , Andres Allen M. , You Sungyong , Kim Jayoung
Published: September 2018

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) are highly prevalent among the elderly and negatively impact quality of life. Since caffeinated beverages are enjoyed worldwide and the relationship between LUTS and caffeine is still not fully understood, it would be of particular interest to examine the underlying mechanisms that drive caffeine's influence on LUTS development and progression. The aim of this study is to characterize the effects of caffeine on hTert‐immortalized normal bladder epithelial cells by investigating whether exposure to caffeine can cause potential changes in the bladder proteome and/or biological pathways. In labeled LC–MS/MS proteomic analysis, 57 proteins are found as being differentially expressed in caffeine‐treated bladder epithelial cells, compared to controls; this included 32 upregulated and 25 downregulated proteins. Further functional gene enrichment analysis reveals that caffeine affects major biological pathways, including those for “muscle contraction” and “chromatin assembly.” These findings provide new scientific insights that may be useful in future studies investigating the role of caffeine in bladder dysfunctions.
Risk of a second neoplasm on long‐term survivors of Hodgkin's lymphoma
Authors: Aviles Agustin , Nambo Maria‐Jesus , Neri Natividad , Calva Angel
Published: September 2018

Objective

Although advances in Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment have led to improvements in overall survival (OS), this has been accompanied by an increased risk of second neoplasm (SN) development. We analyzed the incidence and outcome of SN development in patients treated at a single cancer center.

Methods

We collected the following information from the records of 8288 patients diagnosed with primary Hodgkin's lymphoma since 1970: pathological diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma, initial stage, treatment, response type, and outcome. SN was diagnosed in pathological studies, stage and treatment of SN were indicated in all cases, and all patients were followed up until death or last follow up (December 2016). OS was analyzed to determine whether SN had an impact on it. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to determine progression‐free survival and OS. The χ2‐test was used for comparisons between groups.

Results

After a median follow‐up period of 19.9 years (range 5.6–40 years), just 89 cases (1.07%) of SN development were found. The most frequent sites were the lung (28%), breast (26.9%), and gastrointestinal tract (18%). There was no significant difference in the development of SN according to age, stage, pathological diagnosis, presence of bulky disease, use of alkylating agents, or radiotherapy administration. No difference in OS was observed between patients who did and did not develop a SN.

Conclusions

The main cause of death was secondary to tumor progression, and SN was observed in a reduced number of patients compared with previous studies. We did not observe any differences between the treatment strategies used in studies of populations white people. We used radiotherapy in a greater number of patients and included extended fields, and radiotherapy was not associated with the development of SN. The main difference between the present study and other studies was the race of the patient cohort; therefore, we propose that race could have had a protective effect in this patient cohort. Further studies that have a non‐white base population are necessary to draw definitive conclusions.
Ethical decision‐making in Islamic financial institutions in light of Maqasid Al‐Sharia: A conceptual framework
Authors: Alziyadat Naser , Ahmed Habib
Published: September 2018

This article develops a conceptual framework for ethical decision‐making in Islamic financial institution based on the Islamic methodological approaches on ethics. While making use of the similarities between the scientific method and the Islamic jurisprudence method, a framework is developed by means of argumentation and reasoning to integrate Sharia doctrines with the “plan, do, check and act” (PDCA) cycle as a managerial tool. Using Al‐Raysuni's analysis of Al‐Shatibi's work on maqasid al‐sharia, this article develops a framework to assess the ethical aspects of Islamic financial operations, which is then applied to hypothetical cases. This approach can help overcome the methodological deficiencies in measuring ethical performance in Islamic finance by focusing on the process of ethical decision‐making that leads to the outcomes of organizational behavior beyond legality of contracts. The framework outlines the conditions under which an activity that is considered legal and permissible contractually could lead to outcomes that can make it ethical or unethical.
Palladium(II) Incorporation in the All‐Inorganic Cryptand [As4W40O140]28–: Synthesis and Structural Characterization of [Pd2Na2KAs4W40O140(H2O)]21–
Authors: Lin Zhengguo , Izarova Natalya V. , Mehari Fitsumbirhan T. , Kortz Ulrich
Published: September 2018

The palladium(II)‐containing 40‐tungsto‐4‐arsenate(III) [Pd2Na2KAs4W40O140(H2O)]21–(1a) was synthesized by reaction of PdSO4with the cryptate heteropolyanion [As4W40O140]28–in potassium acetate buffer. The title compound was characterized by single‐crystal XRD, IR, TGA, and elemental analysis.
Non-vanishing heterotic superpotentials on elliptic fibrations
Authors: Buchbinder Evgeny I. , Lin Ling , Ovrut Burt A.
Published: September 2018

Abstract

We present models of heterotic compactification on Calabi-Yau threefolds and compute the non-perturbative superpotential for vector bundle moduli. The key feature of these models is that the threefolds, which are elliptically fibered over del Pezzo surfaces, have homology classes with a unique holomorphic, isolated genus-zero curve. Using the spectral cover construction, we present vector bundles for which we can explicitly calculate the Pfaffians associated with string instantons on these curves. These are shown to be non-zero, thus leading to a non-vanishing superpotential in the 4D effective action. We discuss, in detail, why such compactifications avoid the Beasley-Witten residue theorem.
Dilepton azimuthal correlations in $$ t\overline{t} $$ production
Authors: Aguilar-Saavedra J. A.
Published: September 2018

Abstract

The dilepton azimuthal correlation, namely the difference ϕ between the azimuthal angles of the positive and negative charged lepton in the laboratory frame, provides a stringent test of the spin correlation in

$$ t\overline{t} $$

t

t
¯

production at the Large Hadron Collider. We introduce a parameterisation of the differential cross section dσ/dϕ in terms of a Fourier series and show that the third-order expansion provides a sufficiently accurate approximation. This expansion can be considered as a ‘bridge’ between theory and data, making it very simple to cast predictions in the Standard Model (SM) and beyond, and to report measurements, without the need to provide the numbers for the whole binned distribution. We show its application by giving predictions for the coefficients in the presence of (i) an anomalous top chromomagnetic dipole moment; (ii) an anomalous tbW interaction. The methods presented greatly facilitate the study of this angular distribution, which is of special interest given the 3.2(3.7)σ deviation from the SM next-to-leading order prediction found by the ATLAS collaboration in Run 2 data.
Faecal Occult Blood Point-of-Care Tests
Authors: Kościelniak-Merak Barbara , Radosavljević Branimir , Zając Andrzej , Tomasik Przemysław J.
Published: September 2018

Background

Early detection of colorectal cancer decreases the risk of mortality. Faecal occult blood tests (FOBT) are recognised as a useful tool for colorectal cancer screening. These non-invasive, rapid, and easy-to-carry assays are very often used as a point-of-care test and for self-testing. On the market, there are various types of FOB tests available, including chemical and immunochromatographic tests, which are based on different detection methods and differ in their sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusions

Clinicians should be aware of the causes of false-negative and false-positive test results, which can vary depending on the test. Additionally, stool sampling bias may be a source of error and must be considered by the clinician. The current FOBT methods are subject to various interfering factors; items such as proper preparation of the patient prior to testing or the clinician’s knowledge of testing limitations are key in correct interpreting results. Novel technologies such as FOBT DNA tests, micro RNA tests, and biochips equipped with bacteria can indicate bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract and improve diagnostics process.
Using the hierarchical temporal memory spatial pooler for short-term forecasting of electrical load time series
Authors: Osegi E.N.
Published: September 2018

In this paper, an emerging state-of-the-art machine intelligence technique called the Hierarchical Temporal Memory (HTM) is applied to the task of short-term load forecasting (STLF). A HTM Spatial Pooler (HTM-SP) stage is used to continually form sparse distributed representations (SDRs) from a univariate load time series data, a temporal aggregator is used to transform the SDRs into a sequential bivariate representation space and an overlap classifier makes temporal classifications from the bivariate SDRs through time. The comparative performance of HTM on several daily electrical load time series data including the Eunite competition dataset and the Polish power system dataset from 2002 to 2004 are presented. The robustness performance of HTM is also further validated using hourly load data from three more recent electricity markets. The results obtained from experimenting with the Eunite and Polish dataset indicated that HTM will perform better than the existing techniques reported in the literature. In general, the robustness test also shows that the error distribution performance of the proposed HTM technique is positively skewed for most of the years considered and with kurtosis values mostly lower than a base value of 3 indicating a reasonable level of outlier rejections.
Genetic evolution vs. function approximation: Benchmarking algorithms for architectural design optimization
Authors: Wortmann Thomas
Published: September 2018

This article presents benchmark results from seven simulation-based problems from structural, building energy, and daylight optimization. Growing applications of parametric design and performance simulations in architecture, engineering, and construction allow the harnessing of simulation-based, or black-box, optimization in the search for less resource- and/or energy consuming designs. In architectural design optimization (ADO) practice and research, the most commonly applied black-box algorithms are genetic algorithms or other metaheuristics, to the neglect of more current, global direct search or model-based, methods. Model-based methods construct a surrogate model (i.e., an approximation of a fitness landscape) that they refine during the optimization process. This benchmark compares metaheuristic, direct search, and model-based methods, and concludes that, for the given evaluation budget and problems, the model-based method (RBFOpt) is the most efficient and robust, while the tested genetic algorithms perform poorly. As such, this article challenges the popularity of genetic algorithms in ADO, as well as the practice of using them for one-to-one comparisons to justify algorithmic innovations.

Highlights Benchmarks optimization algorithms on structural, energy, and daylighting problems. Benchmarks metaheuristic, direct search, and model-based optimization methods. Challenges the popularity of genetic algorithms in architectural design optimization. Presents model-based methods as a more efficient and reliable alternative.