bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shift Work and the Risk of Coronary Artery Disease: A Cardiac Computed Tomography Angiography Study
Authors: Havakuk Ofer , Zukerman Nufar , Flint Nir , Sadeh Ben , Margolis Gilad , Konigstein Maayan , Keren Gad , Aviram Galit , Shmilovich Haim
Published: November 2017

Aims: Shift work disrupts the normal circadian rhythm and is associated with risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) and a higher incidence of CAD morbidity and mortality. Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is a robust noninvasive modality for assessing the presence, extent, and severity of CAD. We sought to investigate whether shift workers are prone to a higher burden of CAD compared to non-shift workers. Methods: We conducted a historically prospective study in consecutive patients who underwent CCTA and answered a telephonic questionnaire. Due to significant differences in age and gender, we compared 89 well-matched pairs of shift workers and non-shift workers with the use of propensity scores. Results: Our cohort consisted of 349 participants, of whom 94 (26.9%) were shift workers. The mean age was 50.7 years, and 62.5% were males. After pairing, we showed that shift workers had a higher prevalence of CAD than non-shift workers (74.2 vs. 53.9%, respectively, p = 0.01), and a lower prevalence of coronary calcium scores of zero (46.8 vs. 63.4%, respectively, p = 0.034). Stenosis >50% was more prevalent in shift workers than in non-shift workers (20.2 vs. 11.2%, respectively, p = 0.006), and the extent of CAD (defined as the presence of ≥1-vessel disease) tended to be higher in shift workers than in non-shift workers (25.8 vs. 13.5%, respectively, p = 0.06). Conclusions: In this CCTA study, we showed in a well-matched cohort of consecutive patients that shift workers had a higher prevalence and extent of CAD than non-shift workers.
Karyotypes versus Genomes: The Nymphalid Butterflies Melitaea cinxia, Danaus plexippus, and D. chrysippus
Authors: Traut Walther , Ahola Virpi , Smith David A.S. , Gordon Ian J. , ffrench-Constant Richard H.
Published: November 2017

The number of sequenced lepidopteran genomes is increasing rapidly. However, the corresponding assemblies rarely represent whole chromosomes and generally also lack the highly repetitive W sex chromosome. Knowledge of the karyotypes can facilitate genome assembly and further our understanding of sex chromosome evolution in Lepidoptera. Here, we describe the karyotypes of the Glanville fritillary Melitaea cinxia (n = 31), the monarch Danaus plexippus (n = 30), and the African queen D. chrysippus (2n = 60 or 59, depending on the source population). We show by FISH that the telomeres are of the (TTAGG)n type, as found in most insects. M. cinxia and D. plexippus have “conventional” W chromosomes which are heterochromatic in meiotic and somatic cells. In D. chrysippus, the W is inconspicuous. Neither telomeres nor W chromosomes are represented in the published genomes of M. cinxia and D. plexippus. Representation analysis in sequenced female and male D. chrysippus genomes detected an evolutionarily old autosome-Z chromosome fusion in Danaus. Conserved synteny of whole chromosomes, so called “macro synteny”, in Lepidoptera permitted us to identify the chromosomes involved in this fusion. An additional and more recent sex chromosome fusion was found in D. chrysippus by karyotype analysis and classical genetics. In a hybrid population between 2 subspecies, D. c. chrysippus and D. c. dorippus, the W chromosome was fused to an autosome that carries a wing colour locus. Thus, cytogenetics and the present state of genome data complement one another to reveal the evolutionary history of the species.
Can the Ki-67 Labeling Index in Biopsy Specimens Predict the World Health Organization Grade of Rectal Neuroendocrine Tumors?
Authors: Sugimoto Shinya , Hotta Kinichi , Shimoda Tadakazu , Imai Kenichiro , Ito Sayo , Yamaguchi Yuichiro , Takizawa Kohei , Kakushima Naomi , Tanaka Masaki , Kawata Noboru , Yoshida Masao , Ishiwatari Hirotoshi , Matsubayashi Hiroyuki , Ono Hiroyuki
Published: November 2017

Background: Being grade 2 is a known risk factor for metastasis in rectal neuroendocrine tumors (R-NETs). We aimed to identify the efficacy of the Ki-67 labeling index (LI) in endoscopic biopsy specimens to predict the World Health Organization (WHO) grade of R-NETs. Methods: A total of 59 patients with 60 R-NETs (43 WHO grade 1 and 17 WHO grade 2), treated between October 2002 and December 2014, were retrospectively evaluated. The patients included in the study underwent biopsies followed by endoscopic submucosal resection with a ligation device, trans-anal full-thickness surgical resection, or radical surgery with lymph node dissection. The Ki-67 LI in the biopsy and resected specimens were compared between the 2 tumor grade groups, and the diagnostic sensitivity, speciﬁcity, and positive and negative predictive values for the detection of WHO grade 2 tumors were evaluated. Results: The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the Ki-67 LI in biopsy specimens for predicting grade 2 tumors were 53% (9 of 17), 95% (41 of 43), 100% (9 of 9), and 87% (41 of 47), respectively. Pearson’s rank correlation coefficient between the Ki-67 LI in the biopsy and resected specimens was 0.92. Conclusions: The Ki-67 LI of the biopsy specimen is useful for determining the appropriate treatment for R-NETs.
Physiological Signatures of Dual Embryonic Origins in Mouse Skull Vault
Authors: Hu Bo , Wu Taofen , Zhao Yongxu , Xu Guangtao , Shen Ruilin , Chen Guiqian
Published: November 2017

Background/Aims: The mammalian skull vault is a highly regulated structure and consists of several membrane bones of different tissue origins (e.g. neural crest derived frontal bone and mesoderm derived parietal bone). Although membrane bones form through intramembranous ossification, neural crest derived frontal bone has superior osteoblast activity and bone regeneration ability, triggering a novel conception for craniofacial reconstruction and bone regeneration called endogenous calvarial regeneration. However, a comprehensive landscape of the genes and signaling pathways involved in this process is not clear. Methods: Transcriptome analysis within the two bone elements is firstly performed to determine the physiological signatures of differential gene expressions in mouse skull vault. Results: Frontal bone tissues and parietal bone tissues maintain tissue origin through special gene expression similar to neural crest vs mesoderm tissue, and physiological functions between these two tissues are also found in differences related to proliferation, differentiation and extracellular matrix production and clustered signaling pathways. Conclusion: Our data provide novel insights into the potential gene regulatory network in regulating the development of neural crest-derived frontal bone and mesoderm-derived parietal bone.
Low Tidal Volume Positive End-Expiratory Pressure versus High Tidal Volume Zero-Positive End-Expiratory Pressure and Postoperative Pulmonary Functions in Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Haliloglu Murat , Bilgili Beliz , Ozdemir Mehtap , Umuroglu Tumay , Bakan Nurten
Published: November 2017

Objective: The aim was to compare the effects of low tidal volume (VT) and moderate positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) with high VT and zero end-expiratory pressure (ZEEP) on postoperative pulmonary functions and oxygenation in patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Subjects and Methods: Forty-four patients were randomized into low VT-PEEP and high VT-ZEEP groups. The patients were ventilated with a VT of 6 mL/kg and 8 cm H2O PEEP in the low VT-PEEP group and a VT of 10 mL/kg and 0 cm H2O PEEP in the high VT-ZEEP group. Preoperative and postoperative spirometric measurements were done and chest X-rays were evaluated using the radiological atelectasis score (RAS). p < 0.05 was considered statistically signiﬁcant. Results: The intraoperative and postoperative arterial partial pressure of oxygen and arterial oxygen saturation values were significantly higher in the low VT-PEEP group than in the high VT-ZEEP group. At all times, the arterial-to-alveolar oxygenation gradients were significantly lower in the low VT-PEEP group than in the high VT-ZEEP group. Preoperative RAS were similar in both groups, but the postoperative RAS was significantly lower in the low VT-PEEP group (p < 0.001). Forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, and peak expiratory flow rate recorded postoperatively were significantly lower in the high VT-ZEEP group (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Postoperative pulmonary functions were less impaired in patients ventilated with a VT of 6 mL/kg and 8 cm H2O PEEP than in patients ventilated with a VT of 10 mL/kg and ZEEP.
Caproni traduzido: um olhar sobre os paratextos
Authors: Assini Fabiana Vasconcellos , Faccio Luiza Kaviski , Peterle Patricia
Published: November 2017

A intenção deste artigo é refletir sobre a recepção do poeta italiano Giorgio Caproni (1912-1990) no Brasil a partir da primeira antologia publicada no país dedicada ao poeta, A coisa perdida: Agamben comenta Caproni, publicada em 2011 pela Editora da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Busca-se a partir da obra, analisar os paratextos nela presentes, tentando compreender a imagem do poeta, ainda pouco conhecido se comparado a outros poetas italianos contemporâneos como Eugenio Montale (1896-1981). Refletir também acerca da importância dos elementos paratextuais para a motivação da aquisição e leitura de um livro. Elementos que, muitas vezes, passam despercebidos para o público, mas que podem se tornar peças fundamentais aos estudiosos da literatura, sobretudo da literatura traduzida.
Ediouro: impressões à margem dos tempos da literatura italiana traduzida no Brasil
Authors: Pasqualini Joseni Terezinha Frainer , Gaspari Silvana De
Published: November 2017

No percurso de sua expansão, a Ediouro Publicações distingue-se pela diversidade de atividades, entre as quais a tradução de obras estrangeiras. No que diz respeito a autores italianos, nomes como Dante, Boccaccio, São Francisco, Papini, Salgari e Petrarca constam do catálogo desta editora. Nesta significativa tarefa de traduzir autores e seus escritos, o produto final da obra de chegada encontra-se cercado e prolongado por traços verbais ou não-verbais, elementos à margem do texto, constituintes do paratexto. Nesse sentido, a proposta deste trabalho é analisar elementos paratextuais na tradução realizada por Malba Tahan, do Inferno, da Divina Comédia, e publicada pela Ediouro Publicações.
Wave Intensity Analysis Provides Novel Insights Into Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Su Junjing , Manisty Charlotte , Parker Kim H. , Simonsen Ulf , Nielsen‐Kudsk Jens Erik , Mellemkjaer Soren , Connolly Susan , Lim P. Boon , Whinnett Zachary I. , Malik Iqbal S. , Watson Geoffrey , Davies Justin E. , Gibbs Simon , Hughes Alun D. , Howard Luke
Published: November 2017

Background

In contrast to systemic hypertension, the significance of arterial waves in pulmonary hypertension (
PH
) is not well understood. We hypothesized that arterial wave energy and wave reflection are augmented in
PH
and that wave behavior differs between patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (
PAH
) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (
CTEPH
).

Methods and Results

Right heart catheterization was performed using a pressure and Doppler flow sensor–tipped catheter to obtain simultaneous pressure and flow velocity measurements in the pulmonary artery. Wave intensity analysis was subsequently applied to the acquired data. Ten control participants, 11 patients with
PAH
, and 10 patients with
CTEPH
were studied. Wave speed and wave power were significantly greater in
PH
patients compared with controls, indicating increased arterial stiffness and right ventricular work, respectively. The ratio of wave power to mean right ventricular power was lower in
PAH
patients than
CTEPH
patients and controls. Wave reflection index in
PH
patients (
PAH
: ≈25%;
CTEPH
: ≈30%) was significantly greater compared with controls (≈4%), indicating downstream vascular impedance mismatch. Although wave speed was significantly correlated to disease severity, wave reflection indexes of patients with mildly and severely elevated pulmonary pressures were similar.

Conclusions

Wave reflection in the pulmonary artery increased in PH and was unrelated to severity, suggesting that vascular impedance mismatch occurs early in the development of pulmonary vascular disease. The lower wave power fraction in
PAH
compared with
CTEPH
indicates differences in the intrinsic and/or extrinsic ventricular load between the 2 diseases.
Genetic Variation at the
ADAMTS7
Locus is Associated With Reduced Severity of Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Chan Kenneth , Pu Xiangyuan , Sandesara Pratik , Poston Robin N. , Simpson Iain A. , Quyyumi Arshed A. , Ye Shu , Patel Riyaz S.
Published: November 2017

Background

Genome‐wide association studies identified
ADAMTS
7 as a risk locus for coronary artery disease (
CAD
). Functional studies suggest that
ADAMTS
7 may promote cellular processes in atherosclerosis. We sought to examine the association between genetic variation at
ADAMTS
7 and measures of atherosclerosis using histological, angiographic, and clinical outcomes data.

Methods and Results

The lead
CAD
‐associated single‐nucleotide polymorphism rs3825807 at the
ADAMTS
7 locus was genotyped. The G allele (reduced
ADAMTS
7 function) was associated with a smaller fibrous cap (
P
=0.017) and a smaller percentage area of α‐actin (smooth muscle cell marker) in the intima (
P
=0.017), but was not associated with calcification or plaque thickness, following ex vivo immunohistochemistry analysis of human coronary plaques (n=50; mean age 72.2±11.3). In two independent cohorts (Southampton Atherosclerosis Study [n=1359; mean age 62.5±10.3; 70.1% men] and the Emory Cardiovascular Biobank [Em
CAB
; n=2684; mean age 63.8±11.3; 68.7% men]), the G allele was associated with 16% to 19% lower odds of obstructive
CAD
(Southampton Atherosclerosis Study: odds ratio, 0.81; 95% confidence interval, 0.67–0.98; Em
CAB
: odds ratio, 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.75–0.95) with similar effects for multivessel, left anterior descending, and proximal
CAD
. Furthermore, each copy of the G allele was associated with lower angiographic severity Gensini score (Southampton Atherosclerosis Study,
P
=0.026; Em
CAB
,
P
<0.001), lower Sullivan Extent score (Southampton Atherosclerosis Study,
P
=0.029; Em
CAB
,
P
<0.001), and a 23% lower risk of incident revascularization procedures (EmCAB: hazard ratio, 0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.59–0.98). There were no associations with all‐cause mortality or incident myocardial infarction.

Conclusions

Genetic variation at the

ADAMTS
7

locus is associated with several complementary
CAD
phenotypes, supporting the emerging role of
ADAMTS
7 in atherosclerosis and may represent a potential drug target.
Why Nuclear Energy Programs Rarely Lead to Proliferation
Authors: Miller Nicholas L.
Published: November 2017

The conventional wisdom suggests that states with nuclear energy programs are more likely to seek or acquire nuclear weapons. Yet there is a dearth of systematic empirical work that directly assesses this proposition. A systematic analysis of the historical evidence suggests that the link between nuclear energy programs and proliferation is overstated. Although such programs increase the technical capacity of a state to build nuclear weapons, they have important countervailing political effects that limit the odds of proliferation. Specifically, nuclear energy programs increase the likelihood that parallel nuclear weapons programs will be detected and face counterproliferation pressures; they also increase the costliness of nonproliferation sanctions. Contrary to the conventional wisdom, states with nuclear energy programs historically have not been significantly more likely to seek or acquire nuclear weapons. A combination of qualitative and quantitative evidence supports the plausibility of the countervailing political effects of nuclear energy programs.
Zelotes wunderlichi, a replacement name for the preoccupied ground spider Zelotes turcicus Wunderlich, 2011 (Araneae, Gnaphosidae)
Authors: BLICK THEO
Published: November 2017

In the World Spider Catalog (WSC 2017) the formerly overlooked species Zelotes turcicus Seyyar, Demir & Aktaş, 2010 was recently added. Thus Zelotes turcicus Wunderlich, 2011 is a primary homonym and requires a new name. The author informed Jörg Wunderlich who approved the present author to carry out this formal renaming (without suggesting a new name): for Zelotes turcicus Wunderlich, 2011 the replacement name Zelotes wunderlichi nomen novum is herewith proposed.
Substitution of some species-level names in the tribe Hygrotini Portevin, 1929 (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Hydroporinae)
Authors: FERY HANS
Published: November 2017

Recently, Villastrigo et al. (2017b) published a new classification of the species of the tribe Hygrotini (subfamily Hydroporinae) based on a thorough phylogenetic investigation using molecular as well as morphological data (Villastrigo et al. 2017a).
Does Weather Forecasting Relate to Foraging Productivity? An Empirical Test among Three Hunter-Gatherer Societies
Authors: Reyes-García Victoria , Fernández-Llamazares Álvaro , Guèze Maximilien , Gallois Sandrine
Published: November 2017

Previous research has studied the association between ethnoclimatological knowledge and decision-making in agriculture and pastoral activities but has paid scant attention to how ethnoclimatological knowledge might affect hunting and gathering, an important economic activity for many rural populations. The work presented here tests whether people who can forecast temperature and rain display higher hunting and gathering returns (measured as kilograms per hour for hunting and cash equivalent for gathering). Data were collected among three indigenous, small-scale, subsistence-based societies largely dependent on hunting and gathering for their livelihoods: the Tsimane’ (Amazonia, n = 107), the Baka (Congo basin, n = 164), and the Punan Tubu (Borneo, n = 103).The ability to forecast rainfall and temperature varied from one society to another, but the average consistency between people’s 1-day rainfall and temperature forecasts and instrumental measurements was low. This study found a statistically significant positive association between consistency in forecasting rain and the probability that a person engaged in hunting. Conversely, neither consistency in forecasting rain nor consistency in forecasting temperature were associated in a statistically significant way with actual returns to hunting or gathering activities. The authors discuss methodological limitations of the approach, suggesting improvements for future work. This study concludes that, other than methodological issues, the lack of strong associations might be partly explained by the fact that an important characteristic of local knowledge systems, including ethnoclimatological knowledge, is that they are widely socialized and shared.
Predicting Medium-Term TFP Growth in the United States: Econometrics vs ‘Techno-Optimism’
Authors: Crafts Nicholas , Mills Terence C.
Published: November 2017

We analyse TFP growth in the US business sector using a basic unobserved component model where trend growth follows a random walk and the noise is a first order autoregression. This is fitted using a Kalman-filter methodology. We find that trend TFP growth has declined steadily from 1.5 to 1.0 per cent per year over the past 50 years. Nevertheless, recent trends are not a good guide to actual medium-term TFP growth. This exhibits substantial variations and is quite unpredictable. Techno-optimists should not give best to productivity pessimists simply because recent TFP growth has been weak.
Somatic mutations and clonal hematopoiesis in congenital neutropenia
Authors: Xia Jun , Miller Christopher A. , Baty Jack , Ramesh Amrita , Jotte Matthew R. M. , Fulton Robert S. , Vogel Tiphanie P. , Cooper Megan A. , Walkovich Kelly J. , Makaryan Vahagn , Bolyard Audrey A. , Dinauer Mary C. , Wilson David B. , Vlachos Adrianna , Myers Kasiani C. , Rothbaum Robert J. , Bertuch Alison A. , Dale David C. , Shimamura Akiko , Boxer Laurence A. , Link Daniel C.
Published: November 2017

Key Points

Hematopoietic stem/progenitor mutation burden is not increased in SCN. Clonal hematopoiesis due to mutations of TP53 is present in the majority of patients with SDS.
Patients’ priorities in selecting chronic lymphocytic leukemia treatments
Authors: Mansfield Carol , Masaquel Anthony , Sutphin Jessie , Weiss Elisa , Gutierrez Meghan , Wilson Jennifer , Boeri Marco , Li Jia , Reyes Carolina
Published: November 2017

Key Points

CLL patients value higher PFS but would accept significant reductions in PFS to avoid serious adverse events. Adding even modest out-of-pocket costs changed treatment choices for hypothetical treatments, suggesting patients are sensitive to cost.
President's Page
Authors: Grechka Vladimir
Published: November 2017

The recent downturn in the oil industry hit geophysicists especially hard. As entire geophysics departments were shut down, U.S. service companies reported losing 38% of their workforce by March 2016 1 . Layoffs across the U.S. oil industry as a whole have been much milder though, registering only a relatively modest decline of 12% from the peak employment in October 2014 to its lowest point in January 2017 2 . As the industry began to recover in 2017, the hiring of geophysicists has been slow; for example, the website http://www.rigzone.com/oil/jobs/search/ accessed on 8 September 2017, listed four geophysics job openings out of a total of 3755 oil and gas jobs — a meager 0.1%. Such a statistic makes one wonder why the oil industry, having shed so many geophysics jobs, is in no hurry to replenish them.
Facies-constrained FWI: Toward application to reservoir characterization
Authors: Kamath Nishant , Tsvankin Ilya , Naeini Ehsan Zabihi
Published: November 2017

The most common approach to obtaining reservoir properties from seismic data exploits the amplitude variation with offset response of reflected waves. However, structural complexity and errors in the velocity model can severely reduce the quality of the inverted results. Full-waveform inversion (FWI) has shown a lot of promise in obtaining high-resolution velocity models for depth imaging. We propose supplementing FWI with rock-physics constraints obtained from borehole data to invert for reservoir properties. The constraints are imposed by adding appropriately weighted regularization terms to the objective function. The advantages of this technique over conventional FWI algorithms are shown by conducting synthetic tests for both isotropic and VTI (transversely isotropic with a vertical symmetry axis) models. The medium parameterization for FWI is selected using radiation (scattering) patterns of perturbations in the model parameters.
Quantitative seismic interpretation integrated with well-test analysis in turbidite and presalt reservoirs
Authors: Teixeira Leonardo , Cruz Nathalia , Silvany Pedro , Fonseca Josué
Published: November 2017

Advances in acquisition techniques and in processing workflows have made seismic amplitude more reliable, and, consequently, the quantitative information has become more trustworthy. Rock physics and seismic inversion are essential tools for reservoir characterization. Rock physics improves our knowledge about how the variations of reservoir properties affect the seismic response. Seismic inversion is a tool to obtain 3D volume of elastic properties. Combining the static information from seismic and well data is the first approach for reservoir characterization. Data from core, well log, and laboratory tests help to mitigate the risk associated with seismic interpretation. Additionally, geophysicists may rely on dynamic data such as pressure, production rates, saturation, temperature, and fluid properties whenever available. The pressure transient analysis obtained from well tests brings deeper reservoir insights. Estimations of the permeability profile, flow barrier character, and hydraulic compartmentation are some of the possible outcomes. Although the seismic signal and well test have different responses from the reservoir behavior, both can be combined to reduce the ambiguity in seismic interpretation and to evaluate different reservoir scenarios. Assessments among different facies and pore-volume scenarios are also compatible with the dynamic and static data. Turbidite and presalt reservoirs are presented as evidence of how joining geophysical, geologic, and reservoir engineering information, from static and dynamic sources, reduces the risk in quantitative seismic interpretation, thereby leading to more reliable reservoir production forecasting.
Seismic attribute analysis for fracture detection and porosity prediction: A case study from tight volcanic reservoirs, Barmer Basin, India
Authors: Somasundaram Sreedurga , Mund Bineet , Soni Rajesh , Sharda Ruchika
Published: November 2017

The Raageshwari Deep Gas Field is situated in the southern part of the onshore Barmer Basin in Rajasthan, India. The field contains gas condensate with excellent gas quality reservoired dominantly within the tight volcanic rocks. Optimal development and production of the tight reservoirs requires characterization of faults and natural fractures that are important to fluid flow and production. Reservoir quality of the volcanic complex is governed by the distribution of matrix pore spaces and fractures. Use of seismic attributes for detecting effective reservoir pore spaces such as fractured zones and vesicles is challenging considering the limits of seismic resolution in the tight volcanic reservoirs. Poststack seismic attributes used in this study for fracture detection include geometric attributes such as coherency for detection of seismically resolved faults and reflection curvature attributes for discrimination of subseismic faults. Discrete frequency components extracted from seismic data are also used to analyze geologic discontinuities. Besides geometric attributes, seismic wave attenuation from the basic instantaneous seismic attributes — instantaneous amplitude, phase, and frequency — are also key indicators of fractured zones and vesicles that create effective pore spaces. In fractured intervals within the volcanic reservoirs, a decrease in density and slowdown in acoustic propagation velocity yields a relative drop in P-wave impedance, which are important characteristics to determine fractured zones. Detected fractured zones from seismic attributes were validated with wells, image logs, and production data. In addition to fracture detection, predicting subsurface properties, such as porosity distribution away from wells, has always been a fundamental requisite for appropriate infill well planning. Full-azimuth seismic data and selected seismic attributes were used in multiattribute analysis to predict porosity and were correlated with “blind” wells. This study captures the heterogeneous volcanic rock porosity distribution in the field, improving the understanding of varied production behavior observed within the volcanic rock complex.
Shrink rethink: rebranding psychiatry
Authors: Crabb Jim , Barber Lee , Masson Neil
Published: November 2017

Negative public attitudes towards psychiatry hinder individuals coming for treatment and prevent us from attracting and retaining the very brightest and best doctors. As psychiatrists we are skilled in using science to change the thoughts and behaviours of individuals, however, we lack the skills to engage entire populations. Expertise in this field is the preserve of branding, advertising and marketing professionals. Techniques from these fields can be used to rebrand psychiatry at a variety of levels from national recruitment drives to individual clinical interactions between psychiatrists and their patients.
Decentralized Learning Framework of Meta-Survival Analysis for Developing Robust Prognostic Signatures
Authors: Cui Yi , Li Bailiang , Li Ruijiang
Published: November 2017

Purpose

A significant hurdle in developing reliable gene expression–based prognostic models has been the limited sample size, which can cause overfitting and false discovery. Combining data from multiple studies can enhance statistical power and reduce spurious findings, but how to address the biologic heterogeneity across different datasets remains a major challenge. Better meta-survival analysis approaches are needed.

Material and Methods

We presented a decentralized learning framework for meta-survival analysis without the need for data aggregation. Our method consisted of a series of proposals that together alleviated the influence of data heterogeneity and improved the performance of survival prediction. First, we transformed the gene expression profile of every sample into normalized percentile ranks to obtain platform-agnostic features. Second, we used Stouffer’s meta-z approach in combination with Harrell’s concordance index to prioritize and select genes to be included in the model. Third, we used survival discordance as a scale-independent model loss function. Instead of generating a merged dataset and training the model therein, we avoided comparing patients across datasets and individually evaluated the loss function on each dataset. Finally, we optimized the model by minimizing the joint loss function.

Results

Through comprehensive evaluation on 31 public microarray datasets containing 6,724 samples of several cancer types, we demonstrated that the proposed method has outperformed (1) single prognostic genes identified using conventional meta-analysis, (2) multigene signatures trained on single datasets, (3) multigene signatures trained on merged datasets as well as by other existing meta-analysis methods, and (4) clinically applicable, established multigene signatures.

Conclusion

The decentralized learning approach can be used to effectively perform meta-analysis of gene expression data and to develop robust multigene prognostic signatures.
Survival As a Quality Metric of Cancer Care: Use of the National Cancer Data Base to Assess Hospital Performance
Authors: Shulman Lawrence N. , Palis Bryan E. , McCabe Ryan , Mallin Kathy , Loomis Ashley , Winchester David , McKellar Daniel
Published: November 2017

Purpose:

Survival is considered an important indicator of the quality of cancer care, but the validity of different methodologies to measure comparative survival rates is less well understood. We explored whether the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) could serve as a source of unadjusted and risk-adjusted cancer survival data and whether these data could be used as quality indicators for individual hospitals or in the aggregate by hospital type.

Methods:

The NCDB, an aggregate of > 1,500 hospital cancer registries, was queried to analyze unadjusted and risk-adjusted hazards of death for patients with stage III breast cancer (n = 116,787) and stage IIIB or IV non–small-cell lung cancer (n = 252,392). Data were analyzed at the individual hospital level and by hospital type.

Results:

At the hospital level, after risk adjustment, few hospitals had comparative risk-adjusted survival rates that were statistically better or worse. By hospital type, National Cancer Institute–designated comprehensive cancer centers had risk-adjusted survival ratios that were statistically significantly better than those of academic cancer centers and community hospitals.

Conclusion:

Using the NCDB as the data source, survival rates for patients with stage III breast cancer and stage IIIB or IV non–small-cell lung cancer were statistically better at National Cancer Institute–designated comprehensive cancer centers when compared with other hospital types. Compared with academic hospitals, risk-adjusted survival was lower in community hospitals. At the individual hospital level, after risk adjustment, few hospitals were shown to have statistically better or worse survival, suggesting that, using NCDB data, survival may not be a good metric to determine relative quality of cancer care at this level.
Scaling for Economists: Lessons from the Non-Adherence Problem in the Medical Literature
Authors: Al-Ubaydli Omar , List John A. , LoRe Danielle , Suskind Dana
Published: November 2017

Economists often conduct experiments that demonstrate the benefits to individuals of modifying their behavior, such as using a new production process at work or investing in energy saving technologies. A common occurrence is for the success of the intervention in these small-scale studies to diminish substantially when applied at a larger scale, severely undermining the optimism advertised in the original research studies. One key contributor to the lack of general success is that the change that has been demonstrated to be beneficial is not adopted to the extent that would be optimal. This problem is isomorphic to the problem of patient non-adherence to medications that are known to be effective. The large medical literature on countermeasures furnishes economists with potential remedies to this manifestation of the scaling problem.
Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome: more than a FAScinating disease
Authors: Bride Karen , Teachey David
Published: November 2017

Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) is an inherited syndrome characterized by abnormal lymphocyte survival caused by failure of apoptotic mechanisms to maintain lymphocyte homeostasis. This failure leads to the clinical manifestations of non-infectious and non-malignant lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and autoimmune pathology, most commonly, autoimmune cytopenias. Since ALPS was first characterized in the early 1990s, insights in disease biology have improved both diagnosis and management of this syndrome. Sirolimus is the best-studied and most effective corticosteroid-sparing therapy for ALPS and should be considered first-line for patients in need of chronic treatment. This review highlights practical clinical considerations for the diagnosis and management of ALPS. Further studies could reveal new proteins and regulatory pathways that are critical for lymphocyte activation and apoptosis.
METHODOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE INTERACTIVE EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOP ON THE TOPIC «RUSSIAN NATIONAL IDENTITY IN THE CONTEXT OF GLOBALIZATION»
Authors: Перцева Людмила , Pertseva Lyudmila
Published: November 2017

The contents of the educational material correspond to the strategy of the state national policy of the Russian Federation until 2025 which focuses on formation of the Russian identity and nation’s strengthening in the multicultural world in the era of globalization. The teacher and student’s interaction is achieved through a free exchange of ideas for some debatable issues of modern Russian society. Tools for assessment of competences and teaching skills are creative tasks for independent work of students in preparation for the lesson.
The Effect of an Inpatient Smoking Cessation Treatment Program on Hospital Readmissions and Length of Stay
Authors: van den Broek‐Altenburg Eline M. , Atherly Adam J.
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

Most clinical research involving tobacco dependence treatment is related to outpatient interventions and focuses on health outcomes. Inpatient smoking cessation treatment has been found to be cost‐effective in the Canadian healthcare system, but the finding's applicability to US health systems is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to estimate the impact of an inpatient tobacco cessation treatment program on 30‐day readmission rates and length of stay (LOS).

METHODS

Participants were 28,994 patients admitted to the hospital between July 2012 and July 2014. Smokers were identified through the electronic medical records system and were offered cessation treatment. Program effects were estimated by using a difference‐in‐differences approach, comparing all smokers to all nonsmokers before versus after introduction of the program. Readmission rates were modeled by using probit regression; LOS was modeled by using truncated negative binomial regression. Models controlled for age, sex, race, payer, hospital department, severity of illness, and intensive care unit days.

RESULTS

The hospital‐initiated smoking cessation intervention had no significant effect on 30‐day readmission rates or LOS. Other control variables had the expected signs and were statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The evaluation of an inpatient tobacco dependence treatment did not find significant short‐term changes in healthcare utilization in the first 30 days after initial hospitalization.
Association Between Anemia and Fatigue in Hospitalized Patients: Does the Measure of Anemia Matter?
Authors: Prochaska Micah T. , Newcomb Richard , Block Graham , Park Brian , MD David O. Meltzer
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

Restrictive blood transfusion practices in hospitalized patients with anemia have reduced the use of transfusion. Consequently, hospitalized patients are more likely to have lower hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations. Lower Hb is associated with increased fatigue in ambulatory patients. However, it is not known whether anemia is associated with fatigue in hospitalized patients. It is also unclear how to best measure anemia in hospitalized patients because Hb levels generally vary over a hospital stay.

OBJECTIVE

To assess multiple Hb‐based measures of anemia in hospitalized patients and test whether these are associated with fatigue.

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

SETTING

Urban, academic medical center.

PATIENTS

Hospitalized general medicine patients, age ≥50 years, with any Hb < 9 g/dL.

INTERVENTION

Patients' anemia‐related fatigue was measured during hospitalization.

MEASUREMENTS

Measures of anemia were created for each patient based on the Hb values from their hospitalization (mean, median, minimum, maximum, admission, and discharge). Fatigue was measured using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT)‐Fatigue subscale.

RESULTS

Seven hundred eighty‐four patients participated. Minimum Hb was strongly associated with fatigue. Patients with a minimum Hb of < 8 g/dL had higher fatigue levels (mean FACIT [standard deviation] Hb < 7 g/dL: 25 [13], 7 g/dL ≤ Hb <8 g/dL: 25 [14] Hb ≥8 g/dL: 29 [14], P ≤ 0.001) and were more likely to report high levels of fatigue (FACIT‐Fatigue < 27) (56% vs 41%; P = 0.002). Mean Hb had a less robust association with fatigue than minimum Hb, and no other measure of Hb was associated with patients' fatigue levels.

CONCLUSION

Minimum Hb is associated with fatigue while hospitalized and may help identify patients for interventions to address anemia‐related fatigue.
Identification Karst Underground River System in Gebangharjo Village, Pracimantoro using Tomography Resistivity Methode with Wenner-Schlumberger’s Configuration
Authors: Purwanto Yudi , Darsono Darsono , Koesuma Sorja
Published: November 2017

This research is conducted using 4 lines data with 750 meters in length. Tomography resistivity with Wenner-Schlumberger configuration is used as this research methodology to take the data with a = 50 meters and n=1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Resistivitymeter OYO 2119C McOHM-ELmodel is used as the instrument. Furthermore, the data is processed with two softwares; Res2Dinv ver. 3.56.22 to get 2D resistivity section and RockWork16to make 3D model of the site. The underground river’s chamber is made by hollow carbonate rocks with the resistivity of >412 Ωmand 117,6 Ωm – 412 Ωm for limestone’s resistivity as its capsrock. Researching to the depth of 173 meters, underground rivers are shown in the line 2 in the depth of 65 to 134 meters, 65 to 173 meters in the line 3, and in the cross section of line 3 and line 4. While in the first trajectory, another chamber is found within the depth of 12.5 to 40 meters. It is expected that the underground river is flowing to the south because of the chamber in third and fourth trajectory are lower than second trajectory.
Design, Synthesis, Antitumor activity, cell cycle analysis and ELISA assay for Cyclin Dependant Kinase-2 of a new (4-aryl-6-flouro-4H-benzo[4, 5] thieno[3, 2-b] pyran) derivatives.
Authors: Mouineer Ashraf , Zaher Ashraf , El-Malah Afaf , Sobh Eman Abdel-Fattah
Published: November 2017

A series of benzo[b]thiophene and their benzo[4,5]thieno[3,2-b]pyran derivatives (3a-f), (4a-f), (5a-f) and 6 were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and elemental analysis. All compounds were subjected to one dose anticancer screening in NCI- America, but only the compounds gave high percent growth inhibition were further subjected to five dose screening. A good result of compound 4f with GI50 = 0.15 µmol, TGI= 1.14 µmol and 4c with GI50 = 1.09 µmol, TGI = 10.19 µmol, LC50 = 100 µmol on HT-29 cell line. To explore mechanism of cytotoxicity, compound 4f and 4c were allowed to affect cell cycle progression using HT-29 cell line (human colon cancer) in two-time interval (24 and 48 hr). The cytotoxicity of 4f and 4c was correlated with induction of apoptosis causing pre-G1apoptosis and cell growth arrest at G2/M in a time dependant manner through inhibition of CDK-2. For exploring the SAR for all synthesized compounds, IC50 of 5d was determined which was equal to 0.32 ±0.05 µmol, IC50 of 6 was equal to be 0.15 ±0.01 µmol while IC50 of erlotinib reference was equal to 0.3±0.02 µmol. Finally we were able to synthesize a series of benzo[b] thiophene, benzo[4,5]thieno[3,2-b]pyran having a good cytotoxic activity suggesting promising anticancer derivatives.
Abordagem do gerenciamento de resíduos de serviços de saúde em drogarias e farmácias de manipulação em cidade de pequeno porte da região sul do Brasil
Authors: Dal Moro Leila , Pandolfo Adalberto , Martins Marcele Salles , Gomes Aline Pimentel , Maculan Laércio Stolfo
Published: November 2017

O presente trabalho aborda a problemática dos resíduos de serviços de saúde (RSS) gerados nas drogarias e farmácias de manipulação em uma cidade de pequeno porte do sul do Brasil, o gerenciamento desses resíduos visa à minimização dos impactos ambientais causados pelos materiais utilizados nos serviços da área da saúde descartados incorretamente no meio ambiente como, por exemplo, seringas e agulhas. Uma das principais causas do crescimento progressivo dos resíduos desses estabelecimentos é o uso contínuo e crescente de materiais descartáveis, que podem, com maior ou menor intensidade, causar a contaminação da qualidade da água e gerar poluição. O objetivo do estudo foi apresentar a situação do processo de gerenciamento dos RSS nas drogarias e farmácias de manipulação na cidade em estudo, relacionando à legislação vigente. As informações foram coletadas sob a forma de entrevistas e preenchimento de um questionário. Os resultados mostram em relação à quantidade de resíduos que a maioria das empresas geram aproximadamente 15 litros/mês, sendo compostos por: medicamentos vencidos, material injetável, frascos danificados, EPi´s e resíduos de matéria prima. Foi observado o perfil das empresas, acerca dos procedimentos adotados quanto à disposição final, segregação, treinamentos oferecidos aos colaboradores, a quantificação dos acidentes envolvendo os resíduos e a presença de plano de gerenciamento de resíduos.
Os princípios da sustentabilidade como norteadores na gestão dos resíduos sólidos urbanos
Authors: Costa Amanda Rodrigues Santos , Pinheiro Sara Maria Gomes , De Melo Alcione Moraes , El-Deir Soraya Giovanetti
Published: November 2017

A preocupação ambiental é um tema crescente em toda a sociedade, pois o meio ambiente e a preservação deste afetam diretamente a qualidade de vida e a saúde humana. Nesse sentido, a grande produção de resíduos sólidos em centros urbanos contribui para a crise ambiental devido a um modelo econômico que incentiva padrões de consumo inadequados e desperdícios por parte da população. Portanto, diante desta problemática, o presente estudo pretende abordar a discussão sobre os princípios da sustentabilidade na gestão dos resíduos sólidos, além de analisar a Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos à luz do pensamento sistêmico. A visão sistêmica trata da ideia de interdependência entre elementos de um sistema, de forma que não é possível analisar um todo a partir do isolamento das partes. Desta forma, a gestão e o gerenciamento dos resíduos devem ocorrer de forma integrada, como prediz a legislação, considerando as dimensões econômica, social, ambiental e cultural, envolvendo os diversos setores – governo, setor privado e sociedade – e os sistemas interligados aos resíduos.
I am wrestling with despair
Authors: Piercy Marge
Published: November 2017

Marge Piercy is the author of many books of poetry, most recently Made in Detroit.Click here to purchase a PDF version of this article at the Monthly Review website.
Sistem Pendukung Keputusan dalam Merekomendasikan Unit Terbaik di PDAM Tirta Lihou Menggunakan Metode Promethee
Authors: Imandasari Tia , Windarto Agus Perdana
Published: November 2017

This research aims to develop decision support system in determining the best production unit in PDAM Tirta Lihou, Simalungun District. The research data were sourced from the institution in 2014. The alternatives used were 34 units of production and 6 criteria as the ranking of the best production unit such as the criteria for selling of water supply (C1), evaluation of arrears achieved (C2), evaluation of leakage rate (C3), running bill evaluation (C4), number of new customers (C5) and sales / use of water per customer (C6). The method used in this research was Promethee. The research showed that the best unit in PDAM Tirta Lihou was the Tanah Jawa unit with Net Flow 0.16274. With this system, agency leaders can produce a better decision to select the best unit in a more objective way.Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan sistem pendukung keputusan dalam menentukan unit produksi terbaik di PDAM Tirta Lihou, Kabupaten Simalungun. Data penelitian bersumber dari instansi terkait tahun 2014. Alternatif yang digunakan adalah 34 unit produksi dan 6 kriteria sebagai penilaian unit produksi terbaik, yaitu kriteria penjualan rekening khusus air (C1), evaluasi tunggakan yang dicapai (C2), evaluasi tingkat kebocoran (C3), evaluasi tagihan berjalan (C4), jumlah sambungan baru (C5) dan penjualan/pemakaian air per pelanggan (C6). Penelitian menggunakan metode Promethee. Sistem yang dikembangkan ini menunjukkan bahwa unit terbaik di PDAM Tirta Lihou adalah unit Tanah Jawa dengan nilai Net Flow 0,16274. Dengan sistem ini, pimpinan instansi dapat menghasilkan sebuah keputusan untuk memilih unit terbaik secara lebih objektif.(Dataset dan olah data dalam penelitian ini tersedia dalam bagian supplementary yang tersedia daring dan dapat diunduh)
FOULING BEHAVIOR OF MODIFIED CELLULOSE ACETATE ASYMMETRIC MEMBRANES FOR DIFFERENT BRACKISH WATER TREATMENT
Authors: Kusworo Tutuk Djoko , Budiyono B , Rochyani Ulfa Nurul Aulia
Published: November 2017

Water treatment technology which is being widely developed is membrane technology as an alternative technology with sieving mechanism principle.The main purposes of this research are to investigate the effects of additives and thermal treatment on the cellulose acetate membrane morphology and performance in treating brackish water.The membrane was fabricated by preparation of dope solution consits of cellulose acetate and acetone. The membrane was casted via NIPS method using mechanic casting knife. Dope solution was prepared by varying the PEG concentration of 1 and 5wt-% and the annealing temperature at 60°C and 25°C for 10 seconds. The backwash technique was used to solve fouling mechanism in this system .The results of SEM and FTIR showed that theb higher PEG addition to the dope solution resulted in larger membrane pore size and increase the hydrophilic properties of membrane. However the higher temperature and the longer annealing timg, the skin layer of membrane become denser. The result was also shown that back wash technique can reduced fouling phenomenon in the membrane.