bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measurement of heart rate variability and cognitive abilities based on attachment styles in children with chronic medical conditions
Authors: Ghafarimoghadam Fahime , Dehghani-Arani Fateme
Published: March 2019

Recognizing the biopsychosocial dimensions of chronic medical conditions in children and preparing them to adapt to medical processes is one of the most significant issues in the field of health psychology. The aim of this study was to measure heart rate variability and cognitive abilities based on attachment style in children with chronic medical conditions. To this end, 45 children aged 12–15 years who had received a diagnosis of a chronic medical disease and were matched with the inclusion/exclusion criteria, were entered the study using available sampling method. These children were assigned to three groups of secure, avoidance and anxiety attachment style based on the Collins and Reid Attachment Scale. These groups had been demographically homogeneous. Then heart rate variability and cognitive abilities were measured. One-way ANOVA results showed a significant difference between the three groups in the heart rate variability and cognitive abilities. Post hoc test showed that children with secure attachment style had higher efficiency in heart rate variability and cognitive abilities. These results indicate that attachment style is one of the factors influencing the health status of children with chronic medical illness. These findings highlight the importance of paying attention to psychological factors, especially attachment and its role in the health status of children with chronic medical conditions.
Stabilisation of tetragonal FeCo structure with high magnetic anisotropy by the addition of V and N elements
Authors: Hasegawa Takashi , Niibori Takuya , Takemasa Yusuke , Oikawa Mitsuaki
Published: March 2019

The development of magnetic materials with high saturation magnetization (Ms) and uniaxial magnetic anisotropy (Ku) is required for the realisation of high-performance permanent magnets capable of reducing the power consumption of motors and data storage devices. Although FeCo-based materials with the body-centred cubic structure (bcc) exhibit the highest Ms values among various transition metal alloys, their low Ku magnitudes makes them unsuitable for permanent magnets. Recent first-principles calculations and experimental studies revealed that the epitaxial FeCo thin films with the body-centred tetragonal (bct) structure and thicknesses of several nanometres exhibited Ku values of 106 J·m−3 due to epitaxial stress, which required further stabilisation. In this work, the FeCo lattice stabilised via VN addition were characterised by high Ku magnitudes exceeding 106 J·m−3. The obtained bct structure remained stable even for the films with thicknesses of 100 nm deposited on an amorphous substrate, suggesting its possible use in bulk systems.
New π-extended catecholato complexes of Pt(ii) and Pd(ii) containing a benzothienobenzothiophene (BTBT) moiety: synthesis, electrochemical behavior and charge transfer properties
Authors: Tahara Keishiro , Ashihara Yuya , Higashino Toshiki , Ozawa Yoshiki , Kadoya Tomofumi , Sugimoto Kunihisa , Ueda Akira , Mori Hatsumi , Abe Masaaki
Published: March 2019

The first reported BTBT-involved metal complexes substantially varied their intramolecular charge transfer properties through oxidation and metal substitution.
Stability towards the gastrointestinal simulated digestion and bioactivity of PAYCS and its digestive product PAY with cognitive improving properties
Authors: Zhao Tiantian , Zheng Lin , Zhang Qi , Wang Shuguang , Zhao Qiangzhong , Su Guowan , Zhao Mouming
Published: March 2019

Pro-AlaTyr-Cys-Ser (PAYCS) was susceptible to digestion and its memory improving activity was linked to the activation of Nrf2/ARE and BDNF/CREB signaling.
Multi-color carbon dots for white light-emitting diodes
Authors: Su Rigu , Guan Qingwen , Cai Wei , Yang Wenjing , Xu Quan , Guo Yongjian , Zhang Lipeng , Fei Ling , Xu Meng
Published: March 2019

Single metal-doped CDs with color-tunable properties have been successful synthesized by regulating the precursor molar ratios.
Nanotube-assembled pine-needle-like CuS as an effective energy booster for sodium-ion storage
Authors: Yu Dongxu , Li Malin , Yu Tong , Wang Chunzhong , Zeng Yi , Hu Xiaodong , Chen Gang , Yang Guochun , Du Fei
Published: March 2019

Pine-needle-like CuS with a unique morphology delivers a high capacity and superior rate capability through a two-electron conversion reaction.
Facile synthesis of mixed O, S or Se bearing hexasubstituted benzenes and their potential as Cu(ii) ion probe
Authors: Kumar Abhishek , Yadav Mantesh K. , Singh Jagriti , Singh Jai Deo , Butcher Ray J.
Published: March 2019

The synthesis of mixed hexasubstituted benzenes bearing alternate heteroatoms (O, S and Se) is described. The potential of these species as “turn-off” chemical sensors for Cu2+, which is a biologically and environmentally crucial metal ion, is also successfully demonstrated.
A phenalenyl-based nickel catalyst for the hydroboration of olefins under ambient conditions
Authors: Vijaykumar Gonela , Bhunia Mrinal , Mandal Swadhin K.
Published: March 2019

Catalytic hydroboration of alkenes is reported using the redox active phenalenyl ligand assisted nickel complex Ni(PLY)2(THF)2 in the presence of pinacolborane under ambient conditions.
Encapsulation condition dependent photophysical properties of polypyridyl Ru(ii) complexes within a hydrogen-bonded capsule
Authors: Horiuchi Shinnosuke , Tanaka Hiroto , Sakuda Eri , Arikawa Yasuhiro , Umakoshi Keisuke
Published: March 2019

A simple modulation for encapsulation technique is a facile method to control the luminescent properties of supramolecular complexes.
Stimuli-responsive cyclodextrin-based nanoplatforms for cancer treatment and theranostics
Authors: Yao Xikuang , Mu Jing , Zeng Leli , Lin Jing , Nie Zhihong , Jiang Xiqun , Huang Peng
Published: March 2019

Stimuli-responsive cyclodextrin-based nanoplatforms, which can be triggered by different stimuli, such as pH, temperature, redox, enzymes, light and magnetic fields, are summarized for cancer treatment and theranostics.
A large-surface-area TS-1 nanocatalyst: a combination of nanoscale particle sizes and hierarchical micro/mesoporous structures
Authors: Du Changlin , Cui Nan , Li Linghao , Hua Zile , Shi Jianlin
Published: March 2019

By dry-gel steam-assisted crystallization and top-down alkali-etching treatment, hierarchically structured TS-1 nanozeolites with abundant micro/mesopores were synthesized for the first time, with high specific surface area of 606 m2 g−1 and total pore volume of 0.86 cm3 g−1.
Dual emission from nanoconfined R-phycoerythrin fluorescent proteins for white light emission diodes
Authors: Wang Xiaobin , Guo Yi , Li Zhuoyi , Ying Wen , Chen Danke , Deng Zheng , Peng Xinsheng
Published: March 2019

The nanoconfined R-phycoerythrin protein in ZIF-8 shows dual color emissions and exhibits high-quality white light emission and good thermal stability.
Field-plate engineering for high breakdown voltage β-Ga2O3 nanolayer field-effect transistors
Authors: Bae Jinho , Kim Hyoung Woo , Kang In Ho , Kim Jihyun
Published: March 2019

Field-plated β-Ga2O3 nanoFETs with a breakdown voltage of over 300 V pave a way for downsizing power electronic devices.
Design of slit width to improve space harmonic distribution in a slit stator motor
Authors: Yokoi Yuichi , Hashizume Ryuta , Higuchi Tsuyoshi
Published: March 2019

This article designs the width of slit‐like flux barriers to improve the space harmonic distribution of the air‐gap flux density in a slit stator motor. The slit stator motor has slit‐like flux barriers at wound teeth of the stator. The stator design can adjust the space harmonic distribution with the slit width. Space harmonic distributions govern torque and losses in motors. For this reason, the dependence of the space harmonic distribution on the slit width should be clarified to design slit stator motors. The dependence is investigated through a theoretical calculation based on a magnetic circuit model and a finite element method analysis. These methods show that a space harmonic producing the drive torque is maximised at a slit width and other dominant detrimental space harmonics are decreased with the increase of the slit width. The improved space harmonic distribution is verified by performing an experiment with a measuring rotor.
VCO‐less PLL control‐based voltage‐source converter for power quality improvement in distributed generation system
Authors: Giri Ashutosh K. , Arya Sabha Raj , Maurya Rakesh , Babu B. Chitti
Published: March 2019

This paper presents the voltage‐controlled oscillator (VCO) less phase‐locked loop (PLL)‐based control of voltage source converter. It is used in the distributed power generation system for improved power quality. This control extracts the fundamental component from the sensed load current using three phases to alpha–beta transformation without using VCO, unlike synchronous reference frame–PLL, where fundamental component extraction needs two transformations with the use of VCO. Owing to the absence of VCO in the proposed method, the computational burden of trigonometric operations is very less that results in a faster dynamic response under variable conditions. This characteristic makes it suitable for the distributed power generation system, where fast changes occur frequently. In this study, wind‐based distributed generation system has been taken for study, which comprises of self‐excited induction generator feeding non‐linear load with varying electrical conditions. Using the proposed control, the reactive power compensation, harmonics reduction and load balancing are carried out in the system. In addition to it, neutral current compensation is also accomplished with the help of star–delta transformer connected at the load end. The system performances are investigated under steady state as well as in transient state and results are found satisfactory.
Power shift‐based optimal corrective control for bipolar multi‐terminal high‐voltage direct current grid
Authors: Ye Hua , Li Jiahong , He Min , Liu Yutian , Gao Lei , Du Yanling , Liu Haitao
Published: March 2019

The bipolar modular multi‐level converter‐based multi‐terminal high voltage direct current (MTDC) grid offers an attractive solution to cope with the increased renewable power generation integration and power transfer capability. However, the N − 1 outage of direct current transmission lines and converters may result in overloads of other components and renewable power generation congestion. This study presents a power shift‐based optimal corrective control method to guarantee the operational security of the system with bipolar MTDC grid embedded. First, the principle of power shift in the bipolar MTDC grid is analysed. The grid features in isolated positive and negative poles and can provide up to 50% transmission redundancy. Following an N − 1 contingency, certain power can be shifted from the faulty pole to the healthy pole or between different converter stations. Second, two optimisation models are, respectively, established for the MTDC and alternating current grids to address the power shift‐based optimal corrective control. The proposed method guarantees operational security of the system while the amount of renewable power generation accommodation by the MTDC grid is maximised. Finally, the method is applied to the real‐life Zhangbei ±500 kV four‐terminal bipolar high‐voltage direct current grid. Numerical results and electromagnetic transient simulation verify the effectiveness of the presented method.
WPIT technology based on the fundamental‐harmonic component for a single‐channel and two‐coil ICPT system
Authors: Xia Chenyang , Jia Renhai , Wu Yuanhang , Yu Qiang , Zhou Yan
Published: March 2019

In order to realise wireless power and information transmission (WPIT), extra signal transmission coils are added in a traditional inductively coupled power transmission (ICPT) system, which results in a complicated structure and increases the volume and cost. Moreover, crosstalk existing between the power and signal channel makes it difficult to analyse and design. Therefore, WPIT technology based on the fundamental‐harmonic component for a single‐channel and two‐coil ICPT system is proposed, in which the signal is transferred via the third harmonic component of the triangular current flowing in the transmitting coil. The working mechanism, crosstalk among circuits, parameter selection principle of signal detection channel are analysed, and the impact of load conditions on harmonic communication quality and that of signal transmission on efficiency are discussed. The experiment results show that the method can effectively simplify the structure, reduce the volume and cost, and fundamentally simplify the modelling, analysis, and design of the system, and high‐quality power and information synchronous transmission can be achieved.
Akute makuläre Neuroretinopathie
Authors: Wyss Anja , Rüesch Reinhard , Schwizer Nicole , Heckmann Jan , Zawinka Claudia , Sturm Veit
Published: March 2019

Hintergrund Die akute makuläre Neuroretinopathie (AMNR) ist eine seltene, ein- oder beidseitige Erkrankung der Makula. Betroffene Patienten, zumeist junge Frauen, beklagen plötzlich aufgetretene Zentralskotome. Diese korrespondieren mit scharf begrenzten rötlich-braunen makulären Läsionen. Ophthalmoskopisch sind sie häufig kaum auszumachen, eine deutlich bessere Darstellung erlaubt das Infrarotreflexionsbild. Es zeigt sich eine oft blütenartige Gruppierung der flachen ovalen oder keilförmigen Einzelläsionen um die Fovea.

Patienten und Methoden Retrospektive Fallserie von 4 Patienten mit AMNR. Die klinisch-morphologischen Merkmale werden unter Berücksichtigung verschiedener bildgebender Verfahren demonstriert.

Ergebnisse 4 junge Frauen (26, 27, 28, 29 Jahre) bemerkten plötzlich aufgetretene Flecken im zentralen Gesichtsfeld. In 3 Fällen bestanden diese beidseits. Drei Frauen berichteten über grippale Prodromi. Bei allen 4 Patientinnen zeigten sich bei voller Sehschärfe unauffällige vordere und hintere Augenabschnitte. Die korrespondierenden retinalen Läsionen wurden erst in der Infrarotaufnahme der optischen Kohärenztomografie (OCT) entdeckt. In der OCT zeigten sich im Läsionsbereich dezente Defekte im Bereich der Fotorezeptoraußensegmente. Die Nachbeobachtungszeit betrug zwischen 9 und 36 Monaten. Es zeigte sich bei allen Patientinnen eine Regredienz der Symptomatik mit zumindest partieller Erholung der Netzhautarchitektur.

Schlussfolgerung Patienten mit AMNR erleben plötzlich auftretende ein- oder beidseitige Skotome im zentralen Gesichtsfeld bei oft nur geringer Beeinträchtigung der Sehschärfe. Die Prognose ist unterschiedlich; so gibt es Verlaufsformen mit Selbstlimitierung und völliger Regredienz der Läsionen, aber auch persistierende Visusreduktionen. Bei fehlender kausaler Therapieoption wird zumeist ein exspektatives Management favorisiert.
NuklearMedizin 2019: Willkommen in Bremen
Authors: Schäfers Michael Andreas
Published: March 2019

Liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen, sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, hiermit lade ich Sie sehr herzlich zur 57. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Nuklearmedizin in die Messe Bremen ein.
Comparison of subjective evaluation versus objective
algorithm in the interpretation of follow-up FDG-PET/CT scans after
radiochemotherapy in head and neck cancer patients
Authors: Kohler Alexander , Löck Steffen , Appold Steffen , Bandurska-Luque Anna , Hoberück Sebastian , Schreiber Andreas , Kotzerke Jörg , Zips Daniel , Zöphel Klaus
Published: March 2019

Aim Retrospective evaluation of serial FDG-PET/CT scans in head and neck
squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) patient’s follow-up after primary radiochemotherapy
(RCTx), to assess the diagnostic accuracy of an experienced observer vs. an
objective classification compared to standard clinical follow-up
examinations.

Methods Sixty-nine patients with locally advanced HNSCC were included, who
received curative RCTx. Follow-up included serial FDG-PET/CT at the following
time intervals t1: ≤ 270 d, t2: 271–540 d, t3: > 540 d after curative RCTx.
The likelihood to detect local recurrences, nodal and distant metastases were
compared between (i) experienced observer, (ii) an objective classification
system by Zundel et al. 25, and (iii) routine
clinical follow-up examinations.

Results Twenty-two local recurrences, 7 nodal and 17 distant metastases
were recorded during the follow-up. The diagnostic accuracy for local recurrence
of the experienced observer vs. objective classification was 78 % vs. 77 % for
t1, 83 % vs. 79 % for t2 and 100 % vs. 84 % for t3.

The classification (ii) and the conventional follow-up (iii) resulted in a
relatively high amount of equivocal findings reducing the diagnostic
accuracy.

Conclusion Evaluation of FDG-PET/CT by an experienced observer in
follow-up of HNSCC patients after curative RCTx resulted in the highest
diagnostic accuracy in comparison to an objective classification and to routine
clinical examination.

HNSCC is a malignant tumor with a high likelihood of recurrence, especially in
the first two years after curative RCTx. Early detection of recurrence is of
high clinical importance, since there are several effective second line
therapies that may have curative potential in some patients.
Optimal Timing of P2Y12 Inhibitor Loading in Patients Undergoing PCI: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Komosa Anna , Lesiak Maciej , Krasiński Zbigniew , Grygier Marek , Siniawski Andrzej , Skorupski Włodzimierz , Olasińska-Wiśniewska Anna , Pyda Małgorzata , Araszkiewicz Aleksander , Mitkowski Przemysław , Grajek Stefan , Mularek-Kubzdela Tatiana , Hengstenberg Christian , Siller-Matula Jolanta M.
Published: March 2019

Background and Aim The timing of P2Y12 inhibitor loading in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a matter of debate. The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy and safety of oral P2Y12 inhibitors: clopidogrel, ticagrelor and prasugrel administered at two different time points in relation to PCI: early (> 2 hours pre-PCI) versus late (< 2 hours pre-PCI or post-PCI).

Methods This is a systematic review and meta-analysis. Randomized controlled trials and non-randomized studies were included. Outcomes evaluated were combined major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), myocardial infarction (MI), target vessel revascularization, death and bleeding complications. Summary estimates of the relative risks with therapy were calculated.

Results Twenty-three studies met the selection criteria and included 60,907 patients. Early P2Y12 inhibitor loading was associated with a 22% relative risk reduction (RRR) of MACE (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.68–0.89; p < 0.001). Early clopidogrel loading was associated with a 25% RRR of MACE (95% CI = 0.65–0.85; p < 0.001), a 30% RRR of MI (95% CI = 0.6–0.82; p < 0.0001) and 25% RRR of death (95% CI = 0.64–0.87; p = 0.0002), without an impact on major bleedings. In ST-elevation myocardial infarction as well as non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS), early clopidogrel loading resulted in 35 and 22% RRR in 30 days MACE (p < 0.001), respectively, with no impact in elective PCI. Whereas early loading with prasugrel and ticagrelor did not improve ischaemic outcomes, prasugrel administered early increased bleeding risks in NSTE-ACS.

Conclusion Early clopidogrel loading is associated with a better efficacy and similar safety, whereas timing of ticagrelor or prasugrel loading had no effects on ischaemic events.
Texture dependent surface energy measurements on magnetostrictive alloys for abnormal grain growth modeling
Authors: Van Order Michael , Na Suok-Min , Flatau Alison
Published: March 2019

Galfenol is a magnetostrictive alloy used in sensing, actuating, and energy harvesting devices. Developing protocols for making thin sheet Galfenol with abnormally grown Goss or Cube grains is challenging because the mechanisms that regulate grain boundary mobility and texture development in these alloys are not well understood. Grain boundary energy models do not account for extraneous driving forces caused by the control of surface energy from atmospheric annealing conditions. By characterizing the surface energy of specific Galfenol grains at room temperature, we can develop a more accurate thermodynamic-based framework for modeling abnormal grain growth and texture development. This will be used to understand why a high temperature atmospheric anneal under 0.5%H2S in Ar transforms myriad grains into highly textured, single-crystal-like polycrystalline material while pure Ar does not. To experimentally measure surface energy, we have developed a non-destructive process to directly probe highly-textured and single-crystal Galfenol. The process involves high quality polishing to sub-nanometer roughness, Ar plasma cleaning to remove native oxides, and preserving the bare metal surface by immersion in hydrocarbon liquid. In this bulk hydrocarbon liquid, we use the two-liquid-phase contact angle method to measure surface energy. Experimental surface energy values on single crystals agree with DFT calculations, confirming the validity of this process. We use this method to observe a decrease in surface energy for sulfur contaminated Galfenol.
Magnetohydrodynamic mixed convection flow of Jeffery fluid with thermophoresis, Soret and Dufour effects and convective condition
Authors: Iftikhar Nazish , Baleanu Dumitru , Husnine S. M. , Shabbir Khurram
Published: March 2019

The aim of this paper is to investigate heat and mass transfer of Jeffery fluid on a stretching sheet. Moreover, the influence of magnetic field with mixed convection, convective boundary condition and Soret and Dufour effects is also brought into the consideration along with chemical reaction and thermophoresis condition. The problem is modeled by system of partial differential equations and solutions are obtained by optimal homotopy analysis method. In addition, for comprehensive interpretation of the influence of the system parameters results are shown by graphs and tables.
Toward optical coherence tomography angiography-based biomarkers to assess the safety of peripheral nerve electrostimulation
Authors: Vasudevan Srikanth , Vo Jesse , Shafer Benjamin , Nam Ahhyun S , Vakoc Benjamin J , Hammer Daniel X
Published: March 2019

Objective. Peripheral nerves serve as a link between the central nervous system and its targets. Altering peripheral nerve activity through targeted electrical stimulation is being investigated as a therapy for modulating end organ function. To support rapid advancement in the field, novel approaches to predict and prevent nerve injury resulting from electrical stimulation must be developed to overcome the limitations of traditional histological methods. The present study aims to develop an optical imaging-based approach for real-time assessment of peripheral nerve injury associated with electrical stimulation. Approach. We developed an optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography system and a 3D printed stimulating nerve stabilizer (sNS) to assess the real-time microvascular and blood flow changes associated with electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves. We then compared the microvascular changes with established nerve function analysis and immunohistochemistry to correlate changes with nerve injury. Main results. Electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves has a direct influence on vessel diameter and capillary flow. The stimulation used in this study did not alter motor function significantly, but a delayed onset of mechanical allodynia at lower thresholds was observed using a sensory function test. Immunohistochemical analysis pointed to an increased number of macrophages within nerve fascicles and axon sprouting potentially related to nerve injury. Significance. This study is the first to demonstrate the ability to image peripheral nerve microvasculature changes during electrical stimulation. This expands the knowledge in the field and can be used to develop potential biomarkers to predict nerve injury resulting from electrical stimulation.
Entropy-approachability for transitive Markov shifts over infinite alphabet
Authors: Takahasi Hiroki
Published: March 2019

For a transitive (irreducible) topological Markov shift over an infinite alphabet, we show that any invariant Borel probability measure can be approximated in the weak*-topology by ergodic ones with similar entropy supported on compact sets.
Good coverings of Alexandrov spaces
Authors: Mitsuishi Ayato , Yamaguchi Takao
Published: March 2019

In the present paper, we define a notion of good coverings of Alexandrov spaces with curvature bounded below, and we prove that every Alexandrov space admits such a good covering and that it has the same homotopy type as the nerve of the good covering. We also prove a kind of stability of the isomorphism classes of the nerves of good coverings in the noncollapsing case. In the proof, we need a version of Perelman’s fibration theorem, which is also proved in this paper.
Agricultural Productivity and Soil Carbon Dynamics: A Bioeconomic Model
Authors: Berazneva Julia , Conrad Jon M , Güereña David T , Lehmann Johannes , Woolf Dominic
Published: March 2019

We examine the dynamic management of a soil resource—the issue at the core of both environmental and development challenges in developing countries. Our theoretical framework extends the traditional bioeconomic model of renewable resources to soil carbon management and investigates the effects of changes in agricultural practices on farmers' natural resource base and livelihoods. We parameterize the model using an eight‐year panel data set from an agronomic experiment and data from household and market surveys in the western Kenyan highlands. The optimal maize yields and soil carbon stocks are higher than those observed in the region. This divergence is partly explained by farmers' heterogeneous time preferences (with the implied discount rates of 5% to 25%), information barriers, and market imperfections. The steady‐state shadow price for soil carbon ranges from $95/Mg to $168/Mg, indicating a significant opportunity cost for soil mismanagement.
The role of endothelial glycocalyx in health and disease
Authors: Yilmaz Onur , Afsar Baris , Ortiz Alberto , Kanbay Mehmet
Published: March 2019

The endothelium is the largest organ in the body and recent studies have shown that the endothelial glycocalyx (eGCX) plays a major role in health and disease states. The integrity of eGCX is vital for homoeostasis and disruption of its structure and function plays a major role in several pathologic conditions. An increased understanding of the numerous pathophysiological roles of eGCX may lead to the development of potential surrogate markers for endothelial injury or novel therapeutic targets. This review provides a state-of-the-art update on the structure and function of the eGCX, emphasizing the current understanding of interorgan crosstalk between the eGCX and other organs that might also contribute to the pathogenesis of kidney diseases.
SGAC: A Multi-Layered Access Control Model with Conflict Resolution Strategy
Authors: Huynh Nghi , Frappier Marc , Pooda Herman , Mammar Amel , Laleau Régine
Published: March 2019

This paper presents SGAC (Solution de Gestion Automatisée du Consentement / automated consent management solution), a new healthcare access control model and its support tool, which manages patient wishes regarding access to their electronic health records (EHR). This paper also presents the verification of access control policies for SGAC using two first-order-logic model checkers based on distinct technologies, Alloy and ProB. The development of SGAC has been achieved within the scope of a project with the University of Sherbrooke Hospital (CHUS), and thus has been adapted to take into account regional laws and regulations applicable in Québec and Canada, as they set bounds to patient wishes: for safety reasons, under strictly defined contexts, patient consent can be overriden to protect his/her life (break-the-glass rules). Since patient wishes and those regulations can be in conflict, SGAC provides a mechanism to address this problem based on priority, specificity and modality. In order to protect patient privacy while ensuring effective caregiving in safety-critical situations, we check four types of properties: accessibility, availability, contextuality and rule effectivity. We conducted performance tests comparison: implementation of SGAC versus an implementation of another access control model, XACML, and property verification with Alloy versus ProB. The performance results show that SGAC performs better than XACML and that ProB outperforms Alloy by two order of magnitude thanks to its programmable approach to constraint solving.
Post-orthodontic retention: how much do people deciding on a future orthodontic treatment know and what do they expect? A questionnaire-based survey
Authors: Lasance Sandrine J , Papageorgiou Spyridon N , Eliades Theodore , Patcas Raphael
Published: March 2019

Objective

This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the level of knowledge and expectations people deciding on a future orthodontic treatment have about post-orthodontic retention and to investigate the influence of sociocultural characteristics.

Material and methods

A total of 227 consecutive people involved as legal decision maker (as patient, parent, or legal guardian) for a prospective orthodontic treatment (mean age 37.1 years; 37.3 per cent male) received before their first appointment a questionnaire to assess their knowledge and expectations about post-orthodontic retention. Data were analysed descriptively, whereas predictors were identified with logistic regressions at P value of less than or equal to 0.05.

Results

Among the 220 responders, 46.3 per cent (n = 99) knew that retention appliances are used after orthodontic treatment and 52.8 per cent (n = 113) believed perfect results can guarantee stability, whereas at the same time, 77.8 per cent (n = 168) knew that teeth can move on their own without any orthodontic appliances. The majority considered stability of the orthodontic result important or extremely important (94.5 per cent; n = 206), preferred bonded over removable retainers (67.2 per cent; n = 133), believed the orthodontist to be primarily responsible for a stable result (73.2 per cent; n = 158), and found it appropriate to charge for recall visits (72.9 per cent; n = 153). Participants’ gender, age, education, nationality, and past orthodontic experiences within the close family significantly influenced answers.

Limitations

The setting of a single-centred survey conducted in one university moderates the generalizability of the portrayed results.

Conclusions

Although stability of orthodontic treatment results is very important to people deciding about a prospective orthodontic treatment, knowledge regarding the need for post-orthodontic retention varies and may at times be contradictious. Sociocultural factors seem to influence the level of knowledge and the expectations on post-orthodontic retention.
Imprints from idea origin on innovation and the development environment
Authors: Bodas Freitas Isabel Maria , Lawson Cornelia
Published: March 2019

This study builds on the evolutionary and organization literatures to explore how the nature of innovation outcomes was influenced by the innovation’s original idea and the environment in which it was developed. We use data from a survey of inventors on the development processes of three types of innovations: market success innovations, technologically novel innovations, and innovations that are both technologically novel and of market success. Our results suggest that the environment in which the project is developed erodes the effect of the original knowledge sources on the innovation outcome. Specifically, a stronger imprinting effect of knowledge sources is found for independent inventors, while ideas are more likely to be eroded in projects undertaken by inventors at technology leader firms.
Domains, tasks, and knowledge for clinical informatics subspecialty practice: results of a practice analysis
Authors: Silverman Howard D , Steen Elaine B , Carpenito Jacqueline N , Ondrula Christopher J , Williamson Jeffrey J , Fridsma Douglas B
Published: March 2019

Objective

The study sought to develop a comprehensive and current description of what Clinical Informatics Subspecialty (CIS) physician diplomates do and what they need to know.

Materials and Methods

Three independent subject matter expert panels drawn from and representative of the 1695 CIS diplomates certified by the American Board of Preventive Medicine contributed to the development of a draft CIS delineation of practice (DoP). An online survey was distributed to all CIS diplomates in July 2018 to validate the draft DoP. A total of 316 (18.8%) diplomates completed the survey. Survey respondents provided domain, task, and knowledge and skill (KS) ratings; qualitative feedback on the completeness of the DoP; and detailed professional background and demographic information.

Results

This practice analysis resulted in a validated, comprehensive, and contemporary DoP comprising 5 domains, 42 tasks, and 139 KS statements.

Discussion

The DoP that emerged from this study differs from the 2009 CIS Core Content in 2 respects. First, the DoP reflects the growth in amount, types, and utilization of health data through the addition of a practice domain, tasks, and KS statements focused on data analytics and governance. Second, the final DoP describes CIS practice in terms of tasks in addition to identifying knowledge required for competent practice.

Conclusions

This study (1) articulates CIS diplomate tasks and knowledge used in practice, (2) provides data that will enable the American Board of Preventive Medicine CIS examination to align with current practice, (3) informs clinical informatics fellowship program requirements, and (4) provides insight into maintenance of certification requirements.
Reproductive den selection and its consequences for fisher neonates, a cavity-obligate mustelid
Authors: Matthews Sean M , Green David S , Higley J Mark , Rennie Kerry M , Kelsey Caylen M , Green Rebecca E
Published: March 2019

Selection of habitat characteristics by reproductive females during neonate development can mediate the influence of adverse environmental conditions on the fitness of offspring. Previous research has suggested that cavities and burrows used for reproduction by cavity-obligate species offer thermoregulatory benefits, access to prey, and can limit predation pressure. As fishers (Pekania pennanti) are secondary cavity-obligate breeders, we hypothesized that they select particular characteristics of reproductive den cavities at discrete stages of offspring development to mediate adverse biotic and environmental effects on their neonates. To test our hypothesis, we located 406 reproductive dens and 154 cavity rest sites used by 65 individual adult female fishers during 11 reproductive seasons (2005–2016) in northwestern California. We counted 53 (27 F, 26 M) kits in 31 litters born to 19 females during six of these reproductive seasons. The weight of kits varied significantly by sex and by age, whereas the length of kits varied only by age, suggesting that adult females in this population might be preferentially investing in male kits. We found that natal and early-maternal dens buffered minimum temperatures significantly more than late-maternal dens and cavities used during the nonreproductive season. A male fisher skull was also less likely to fit through the cavity openings of natal dens than through the openings of cavities used by adult females during the nonreproductive season. Litter survival was significantly lower at natal dens than at late-maternal dens. The age of adult female fishers did not affect the probability of litter survival. Our results emphasize the vulnerability of vertebrate offspring during early developmental periods and how cavity-obligate species select cavities to mediate environmental conditions during reproduction.
Housing Instability Results in Increased Acute Care Utilization in an Urban HIV Clinic Cohort
Authors: Clemenzi-Allen Angelo , Neuhaus John , Geng Elvin , Sachdev Darpun , Buchbinder Susan , Havlir Diane , Gandhi Monica , Christopoulos Katerina
Published: March 2019

Background

People living with HIV (PLWH) who experience homelessness and unstable housing (HUH) often have fragmented health care. Research that incorporates granular assessments of housing status and primary care visit adherence to understand patterns of acute care utilization can help pinpoint areas for intervention.

Methods

We collected self-reported living situation, categorized as stable (rent/own, hotel/single room occupancy), unstable (treatment/transitional program, staying with friends), or homeless (homeless shelter, outdoors/in vehicle) at an urban safety-net HIV clinic between February and August 2017 and abstracted demographic and clinical information from the medical record. Regression models evaluated the association of housing status on the frequency of acute care visits—urgent care (UC) visits, emergency department (ED) visits, and hospitalizations—and whether suboptimal primary care visit adherence (<75%) interacted with housing status on acute care visits.

Results

Among 1198 patients, 25% experienced HUH. In adjusted models, unstable housing resulted in a statistically significant increase in the incidence rate ratio for UC visits (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10 to 1.66; P < .001), ED visits (IRR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.44 to 3.13; P < .001), and hospitalizations (IRR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.10 to 2.77; P = 0.018). Homelessness led to even greater increases in UC visits (IRR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.29 to 2.39; P < .001), ED visits (IRR, 4.18; 95% CI, 2.77 to 6.30; P < .001), and hospitalizations (IRR, 3.18; 95% CI, 2.03 to 4.97; P < .001). Suboptimal visit adherence differentially impacted UC and ED visits by housing status, suggesting interaction.

Conclusions

Increased acute care visit frequency among HUH-PLWH suggests that interventions at these visits may create opportunities to improve care.
Advancing public health policy making through research on the political strategies of alcohol industry actors
Authors: McCambridge Jim , Kypri Kypros , Sheldon Trevor A , Madden Mary , Babor Thomas F
Published: March 2019

Development and implementation of evidence-based policies is needed in order to ameliorate the rising toll of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Alcohol is a key cause of the mortality burden and alcohol policies are under-developed. This is due in part to the global influence of the alcohol industry. We propose that a better understanding of the methods and the effectiveness of alcohol industry influence on public health policies will support efforts to combat such influence, and advance global health. Many of the issues on the research agenda we propose will inform, and be informed by, research into the political influence of other commercial actors.
Role of Vitamin-D Deficiency in Term Neonates with Late-Onset Sepsis: A Case–Control Study
Authors: Agrawal Amit , Gupta Aekta , Shrivastava Jyotsna
Published: March 2019

Objective

To find the relationship between vitamin-D levels and late-onset sepsis (LOS) in term neonates.

Methods

This case–control study was conducted in neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary care teaching institution in central India. Full-term neonates with culture-proven LOS were taken as cases. Maternal and neonatal demography, clinical examination and investigations were recorded. Correlation of vitamin-D deficiency (<20 ng/ml) with LOS was assessed.

Results

Total 225 term neonates including 175 cases and 50 controls were included. Maternal and neonatal demographic profile was comparable. The mean vitamin-D level in cases (12.28 ± 6.11 ng/ml) was significantly lower than that in controls (14.88 ± 7.2 ng/ml) (p = 0.002). Total 151 (86.29%) neonates out of 175 cases and 37 (74%) out of 50 controls had the vitamin-D deficiency (p = 0.00003). On multiple regression analysis, neonatal sepsis (p = 0.00003) was found to be significantly associated with vitamin-D deficiency.

Conclusion

This study shows that vitamin-D deficiency in term neonates may predispose them to LOS.
Upper extremity anomalies in children with femoral and fibular deficiency
Authors: Walker Janet L. , White Hank D. , Jacobs Cale A. , Riley Scott A.
Published: March 2019

Defects occurring in the femoral–fibular–ulnar developmental field are believed to cause the cluster of anomalies seen with femoral, fibular and ulnar limb deficiencies. Upper limb function must be considered in the management of lower limb deficiencies. The purpose of this study is to determine the frequency and type of upper extremity anomalies found in children with femoral and/or fibular deficiency. A retrospective review of 327 consecutive patients with the diagnosis of femoral and/or fibular deficiency was performed using existing records and radiographs. Characteristics of those with and without upper extremity anomalies were compared. Upper extremity anomalies were identified in 56 patients. They were more common among those with bilateral, compared with unilateral, lower extremity deficiencies (P < 0.0001). Seventy-five upper limbs were involved with 50 ulnar deficiencies, nine congenital transhumeral deficiencies, four congenital shoulder disarticulations, seven cleft hands, two radial head dislocations and one each – radial deficiency, syndactyly and capitate–lunate coalition. Two patients with bilateral upper extremity anomalies had ulnar deficiency on one side and a transverse deficiency on the other. Upper extremity anomalies are found in 17% of children with femoral and/or fibular deficiency, especially with bilateral lower extremity involvement. Ulnar deficiency is the most common type but one-third had other anomalies. The frequent finding of congenital transverse upper extremity deficiencies suggests there may be common embryology.
Protein damage, ageing and age-related diseases
Authors: Krisko Anita , Radman Miroslav
Published: March 2019

Ageing is considered as a snowballing phenotype of the accumulation of damaged dysfunctional or toxic proteins and silent mutations (polymorphisms) that sensitize relevant proteins to oxidative damage as inborn predispositions to age-related diseases.

Ageing is not a disease, but it causes (or shares common cause with) age-related diseases as suggested by similar slopes of age-related increase in the incidence of diseases and death. Studies of robust and more standard species revealed that dysfunctional oxidatively damaged proteins are the root cause of radiation-induced morbidity and mortality. Oxidized proteins accumulate with age and cause reversible ageing-like phenotypes with some irreversible consequences (e.g. mutations). Here, we observe in yeast that aggregation rate of damaged proteins follows the Gompertz law of mortality and review arguments for a causal relationship between oxidative protein damage, ageing and disease. Aerobes evolved proteomes remarkably resistant to oxidative damage, but imperfectly folded proteins become sensitive to oxidation. We show that α-synuclein mutations that predispose to early-onset Parkinson's disease bestow an increased intrinsic sensitivity of α-synuclein to
in vitro
oxidation. Considering how initially silent protein polymorphism becomes phenotypic while causing age-related diseases and how protein damage leads to genome alterations inspires a vision of predictive diagnostic, prognostic, prevention and treatment of degenerative diseases.
Bursts of amino acid replacements in protein evolution
Authors: Stolyarova Anastasia V. , Bazykin Georgii A. , Neretina Tatyana V. , Kondrashov Alexey S.
Published: March 2019

Evolution can occur both gradually and through alternating episodes of stasis and rapid changes. However, the prevalence and magnitude of fluctuations of the rate of evolution remain obscure. Detecting a rapid burst of changes requires a detailed record of past evolution, so that events that occurred within a short time interval can be identified. Here, we use the phylogenies of the Baikal Lake amphipods and of Catarrhini, which contain very short internal edges which make this task feasible. We detect six salient bursts of evolution of individual proteins during such short time periods, each involving between six and 38 amino acid substitutions. These bursts were extremely unlikely to have occurred neutrally, and were apparently caused by positive selection. On average, in the course of a time interval required for one synonymous substitution per site, a protein undergoes a strong burst of rapid evolution with probability at least approximately 0.01.
Mechanical significance of morphological variation in diprotodont incisors
Authors: Morris Philip J. R. , Cox Philip G. , Cobb Samuel N.
Published: March 2019

All rodents possess a single pair of enlarged incisors that grow throughout life. This condition (diprotodonty) is characteristic of Rodentia, but is also found in other mammals such as lagomorphs, hyraxes, the aye-aye and common wombat. This study surveyed lower incisor morphology across extant diprotodonts to examine shape variation within and between rodents and other diprotodonts, and to determine if tooth shape varies in a manner predictable from mechanics. Six linear and area variables were recorded from microCT scans of the mandibles of 33 diprotodont mammals. The curvature of the rodent lower incisors, as measured by the proportion of a circle it occupies, was shown to vary between 20 and 45%, with non-Glires taxa falling outside this range. Relative lengths of the portions of the incisor within and external to the mandible were not significantly correlated when the overall size was taken into account. Cross-sectional geometry of the incisor was significantly correlated with the external length of the incisor. Overall, incisor morphology was shown to vary in a way predictable from ecology and mechanics, in order to resist bending. Among non-rodents, lagomorph incisors closely resemble those of rodents, and, relative to rodents, hyrax and wombat incisors are somewhat smaller but aye-aye incisors are much more extreme in morphology.
Visual adaptation and microhabitat choice in Lake Victoria cichlid fish
Authors: Mameri Daniel , van Kammen Corina , Groothuis Ton G. G. , Seehausen Ole , Maan Martine E.
Published: March 2019

When different genotypes choose different habitats to better match their phenotypes, genetic differentiation within a population may be promoted. Mating within those habitats may subsequently contribute to reproductive isolation. In cichlid fish, visual adaptation to alternative visual environments is hypothesized to contribute to speciation. Here, we investigated whether variation in visual sensitivity causes different visual habitat preferences, using two closely related cichlid species that occur at different but overlapping water depths in Lake Victoria and that differ in visual perception (
Pundamilia
spp.). In addition to species differences, we explored potential effects of visual plasticity, by rearing fish in two different light conditions: broad-spectrum (mimicking shallow water) and red-shifted (mimicking deeper waters). Contrary to expectations, fish did not prefer the light environment that mimicked their typical natural habitat. Instead, we found an overall preference for the broad-spectrum environment. We also found a transient influence of the rearing condition, indicating that the assessment of microhabitat preference requires repeated testing to control for familiarity effects. Together, our results show that cichlid fish exert visual habitat preference but do not support straightforward visual habitat matching.