bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards Hroch's Phase Z: ‘anti‐nationalism’ in Valencia and Navarre (Spain)
Authors: Zabaltza Xabier
Published: January 2019

This paper explains the difficulties in applying Hroch's three‐phase scheme to much of the Catalan‐ and Basque‐speaking territories and proposes a new phase, Phase Z, which takes place as a reaction against the advance of the ‘national movement’ of the ‘non‐dominant ethnic group’ in areas in which it is weak or in a minority position. This study is limited to Valencian anti‐Catalanism and Navarrese anti‐Basquism, but the possibility is left open for this stage to be applicable to other ‘anti‐nationalisms’ (Irish unionism, for example).
Measurement and interpretation of hemoglobin concentration in clinical and field settings: a narrative review
Authors: Karakochuk Crystal D. , Hess Sonja Y. , Moorthy Denish , Namaste Sorrel , Parker Megan E. , Rappaport Aviva I. , Wegmüller Rita , Dary Omar ,   the HEmoglobin MEasurement (HEME) Working Group
Published: January 2019

Anemia affects over 800 million women and children globally. Defined as a limited or insufficient functional red blood cell supply in peripheral blood, anemia causes a reduced oxygen supply to tissues and can have serious health consequences for women and children. Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration is most commonly measured for anemia diagnosis. Methods to measure Hb are usually invasive (requiring a blood sample); however, advances in diagnostic and clinical chemistry over the past decade have led to the development of new noninvasive methods. Accurate diagnosis at the individual level is important to identify individuals who require treatment. At the population level, anemia prevalence estimates are often the impetus for national nutrition policies or programs. Thus, it is essential that methods for Hb measurement are sensitive, specific, accurate, and reproducible. The objective of our narrative review is to describe the basic principles, advantages, limitations, and quality control issues related to methods of Hb measurement in clinical and field settings. We also discuss other biomarkers and tests that can help to determine the severity and underlying causes of anemia. In conclusion, there are many established and emerging methods to measure Hb concentration, each with their own advantages, limitations, and factors to consider before use.
Effects of atrial electromechanical delay and ventriculoatrial conduction over the atrial functions in patients with frequent extrasystole and preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Gurbuz Ahmet Seyfeddin , Ozturk Semi , Kilicgedik Alev , Akgun Taylan , Kalkan Mehmet Emin , Demir Serdar , Efe Suleyman Cagan , Acar Rezzan Deniz , Akcakoyun Mustafa , Kirma Cevat
Published: January 2019

Background

The deterioration of left atrial and ventricular functions was demonstrated in patients with frequent ventricular extrasystole (fVES). The exact pathophysiology of left atrial dysfunction in patients with fVES is unclear. Retrograde ventriculoatrial conduction (VAC) often accompanies fVES, which may contribute to atrial dysfunction. We investigated whether atrial electromechanical delay and VAC are related to these atrial functions in patients with frequent right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) VES and preserved ejection fraction (pEF).

Methods

This study included 21 patients with pEF (eight males, 48 ± 11 years), who had experienced more than 10 000 RVOT‐VES during 24‐h Holter monitoring and had undergone electrophysiological study/ablation. The study also included 20 healthy age‐ and sex‐matched control subjects. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed on all of the subjects. Atrial conduction time was obtained by using tissue Doppler imaging. Strain analysis was performed with two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.

Results

The peak atrial longitudinal strain was significantly impaired in patients with fVES (P = 0.01). In addition, although the interatrial and left atrial conduction delay times were significantly different between each group (P < 0.001, P < 0.001), the right atrial conduction delay times were similar. When patients with fVES were divided into groups depending on the existence of retrograde VAC, atrial deformation parameters and conduction delay time did not significantly differ between either group.

Conclusion

Frequent RVOT‐VES causes left atrial dysfunction. This information is obtained through strain analyses and recordings of left atrial conduction times in patients with pEF. Regardless, retrograde VAC is not related to atrial dysfunction.
Recognizing psychiatric presentations of anti‐NMDA receptor encephalitis in children and adolescents: A synthesis of published reports
Authors: Gurrera Ronald J.
Published: January 2019

Aim

The aim of this study was to improve early recognition of anti‐N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor encephalitis (anti‐NMDArE) in children and adolescents by identifying characteristic temporal patterns of clinical features in patients likely to be referred for psychiatric evaluation. In this form of autoimmune encephalitis, NMDAr hypofunction is caused by autoantibodies to receptor surface components. Clinical outcomes following prompt immunotherapy are usually good, but delayed treatment often results in a protracted course with significant residual disability or death. Anti‐NMDArE frequently mimics psychiatric disorders, so most patients are referred initially to a psychiatrist and treated for days or weeks before being correctly diagnosed.

Methods

A systematic search of PubMed and EMBASE electronic databases identified all published reports of antibody‐confirmed anti‐NMDArE associated with psychiatric symptoms in patients <19 years old. Redundant reports were eliminated manually. For each patient, the order in which each feature was first observed was ranked relative to others. Median temporal ranks were used to compare the sequencing of individual features and major symptom domains.

Results

One hundred and sixty seven cases (121 females) met the inclusion criteria. The most common features were dyskinesias (77.8%), seizures (72.5%), mutism or staring (40.7%), insomnia (39.5%), language dysfunction (36.5%), fever (31.1%), disorientation/confusion (28.7%), reduced arousal (28.1%), and memory disturbance (26.9%). The configuration and temporal sequencing of features were highly variable between individuals.

Conclusion

Clinicians need to suspect this disorder: if new behavioral symptoms arise in the context of a recent viral prodrome; if they are accompanied by dyskinesias, seizures or insomnia; or if psychiatric symptoms are unusual (e.g., non‐verbal auditory hallucinations).
Corruption as Resource Transfer: An Interdisciplinary Synthesis
Authors: Jancsics David
Published: January 2019

Despite significant investment in anticorruption instruments in the past decades, confusion about their effectiveness remains. While a growing body of scholarship claims that anticorruption reforms have generally failed, other scholars have shown that particular anticorruption tools may actually work. A likely explanation for these puzzling outcomes is that public administration research holds a mistaken view of corruption, and improperly selected anticorruption strategies often target the wrong type of corruption. To overcome this problem, this article proposes a four‐cell typology of corruption, reflecting two critical dimensions along which most corrupt behaviors occur: the resource transfer and the primary beneficiary. Synthesizing recent research developments, this article introduces a new conceptualization of corruption that integrates perspectives from several disciplines. It also offers a series of propositions concerning how each corruption type could be fought. The article concludes with implications for research and practice.
Drivers of Policy Instrument Selection for Environmental Management by Local Governments
Authors: Krause Rachel M. , Hawkins Christopher V. , Park Angela Y. S. , Feiock Richard C.
Published: January 2019

Local governments commonly pursue environmental objectives that exceed state and federal minimum requirements. Although research informs our understanding of factors that lead cities to adopt such policy goals, the underlying mechanisms employed to achieve them are not well understood. This article examines factors that drive the choice of policy instruments that cities use to pursue local environmental objectives. The literature links the structure of the local governing body, characteristics of the community and target populations, and the nature of the policy problem to instrument selection. Building on this, the authors model the dynamics shaping cities' use of regulations, financial incentives, or combination thereof, to pursue a variety of different environmental objectives. Results indicate that community racial composition and political leaning influence instrument choice when policy targets the public at large. Alternatively, when policy targets particular stakeholder groups, such as developers, the characteristics of the local governing body are of greater importance.
Airway clearance, mucoactive therapies and pulmonary rehabilitation in bronchiectasis
Authors: O'Neill Katherine , O'Donnell Anne E. , Bradley Judy M.
Published: January 2019

This paper aims to provide physiological rationale for airway clearance, mucoactive therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) (or exercise interventions) in bronchiectasis. There is increasing emphasis on the role of airway clearance techniques (ACT) in the management of bronchiectasis. No single ACT has currently shown superior effect over another. Given the large range of different techniques available, consideration of the physiological effects underpinning a technique including expiratory flow, ventilation and oscillation, is essential to effectively personalize ACT. Key clinical trials of mucoactives in bronchiectasis are underway and will provide clarity on the role of these agents in the management of patients with bronchiectasis. Prescription of mucoactive therapies should be done in conjunction with ACT and therefore the mechanism of action of mucoactive drugs and their timing with ACT should be taken into consideration. PR and/or exercise training are recommended in all current bronchiectasis guidelines. There is a clear physiological rationale that muscle weakness and physical inactivity may play a role in disease progression as well as impacting health‐related quality of life, frequency of pulmonary exacerbations and ability to mobilize sputum. However, there are residual unanswered questions surrounding the delivery and accessibility to PR. This review summarizes the physiological principles and supporting evidence for airway clearance, mucoactive medication and PR, which are key components in the management of bronchiectasis.
Training professionals in a recovery‐oriented methodology: a mixed method evaluation
Authors: Bitter Neis , Roeg Diana , Van Nieuwenhuizen Chijs , Van Weeghel Jaap
Published: January 2019

Background

Several studies have reported difficulties concerning the implementation of recovery‐oriented interventions. In this study, the effect of training in the Comprehensive Approach to Rehabilitation (CARe) on daily practice was evaluated. Additionally, we aimed to acquire insight into the experiences with the implementation process involving professionals, management and trainers.

Methods

Fourteen teams for sheltered and supported housing in the Netherlands participated in this study. As part of a cluster‐randomised controlled trial (RCT) design, eight teams received training in the CARe methodology. Model fidelity (using the CARe fidelity audit) and professionals’ knowledge of recovery (using the Recovery Knowledge Inventory) were measured for all teams until 20 months after the start. Afterwards, an evaluation meeting with participating stakeholders was organised in which barriers and facilitators of the implementation of the CARe methodology were inventoried.

Results

Ten months after the training, the intervention teams scored higher than the control teams on the fidelity subscales: ‘recovery’, ‘strengths orientation’ and ‘amount of training and coaching’. Twenty months after the training, only the effect of ‘amount of coaching and training’ remained. Additionally, ‘methodological working’ clearly differed between the groups after 20 months in favour of the intervention teams. In all teams, model fidelity was moderate at both measurements. The knowledge of recovery of the trained teams was slightly and significantly higher at 10 and 20 months after training. Although professionals were positive about recovery and strength‐oriented working, they experienced several organisational and societal barriers.

Conclusion

Training in the CARe methodology improved the fidelity and knowledge of recovery among professionals. However, the differences were small, and fidelity decreased over time. More in‐depth knowledge is needed on which barriers professionals experience in practice so that tailored training and implementation strategies can be developed. Furthermore, more attention is needed for professional development and the translation of theory into practice.
The impact of monetary and tax policy on income inequality in Japan
Authors: Taghizadeh‐Hesary Farhad , Yoshino Naoyuki , Shimizu Sayoko
Published: January 2019

This paper assesses the effects of the most recent monetary policy behaviour of the Bank of Japan (in particular, zero interest rate policy and negative interest rate policy) and Japanese tax policy on income inequality in this country during the period of 2002Q1 to 2017Q3. The vector error correction model (VECM) that develops in this research shows that increase in money stock (m1) through Quantitative Easing (QE) and Quantitative and Qualitative Easing (QQE) policies of theBOJsignificantly increases the income inequality. On the contrary, Japanese tax policy was effective in reducing the income inequality. Variance decomposition results show that increasing of income inequality by monetary policy is larger when comparing to decreasing effects of tax policy on income inequality. Cointegration andVECMresults show that monetary policy has both short‐run and long‐run impacts but for tax policy paper could not find any significant short‐run impact on income inequality. In addition, paper found that technological progress only in long‐run can reduce the income inequality by increasing the marginal productivity of labour with positive impacts on employment and wages.
Capital flows to Asia and Latin America: Does institutional quality matter?
Authors: Arya Vandana , Banerjee Rajabrata , Cavoli Tony
Published: January 2019

Using a sample of 28 emerging market economies from Asia and Latin America spanning 1990–2013, we show that the marginal effect of capital flows on growth is positive and contingent on the threshold level of institutional quality (IQ). The conditional effect of capital flows holds for both the income per capita growth and total factor productivity (TFP) growth. We also determine the different threshold levels of IQ at which the marginal effect of capital flows is positive. The overall level of IQ in the Asian countries is superior to the Latin American countries and requires a lower threshold level to exert any positive effect. While the same conditional effect of IQ holds in Latin America for TFP growth, this effect is reversed in Asia. For very high levels of IQ (91st percentile), the marginal effect of capital flows on TFP growth in Asia is almost negligible. The marginal effects also vary based on the composition of capital flows in each region.
Ship-to-Ship State Observer Using Sensor Fusion and the Extended Kalman Filter
Authors: Tørdal Sondre Sanden , Hovland Geir
Published: January 2019

In this paper, a solution for estimating the relative position and orientation between two ships in six degrees-of-freedom (6DOF) using sensor fusion and an extended Kalman filter (EKF) approach is presented. Two different sensor types, based on time-of-flight and inertial measurement principles, were combined to create a reliable and redundant estimate of the relative motion between the ships. An accurate and reliable relative motion estimate is expected to be a key enabler for future ship-to-ship operations, such as autonomous load transfer and handling. The proposed sensor fusion algorithm was tested with real sensors (two motion reference units (MRS) and a laser tracker) and an experimental setup consisting of two Stewart platforms in the Norwegian Motion Laboratory, which represents an approximate scale of 1:10 when compared to real-life ship-to-ship operations.
A Third-Order Model of Hip and Ankle Joints During Balance Recovery: Modeling and Parameter Estimation
Authors: González Alejandro , Cerda-Lugo Angel , Cardenas Antonio , Maya Mauro , Piovesan Davide
Published: January 2019

Postural stability is important in everyday life as falls can cause severe injuries. Risk of injuries is higher in the elderly whose balance is often impaired. Modeling postural stability and the parameters that govern it is important to understand the balance mechanism and allow for the development of fall prevention strategies. Several mathematical models have been proposed to represent postural stability of bipeds. These models differ on the number of degrees-of-freedom (DOF) of the skeletal structure, force generation function for the muscle models, and capability to change their behavior as a function of the task. This work proposes a nonlinear model that captures fall recovery using a hip–ankle strategy. The muscle actuation is modeled as a third-order Poynting–Thomson's (PT) mechanical system where muscles and tendons are represented as lumped parameters actuating the aforementioned joints. Both a regression technique and a Kalman Filter (KF) are used to estimate the muscle–tendon parameters of the model. With a good model, the direct estimation of these parameters would allow clinicians to improve postural stability in the elderly, monitor the deterioration of the physical condition in individuals affected by neuro-degenerative diseases, and develop rehabilitation appropriate processes.
Using Simulator Data to Facilitate Human Reliability Analysis
Authors: Musharraf Mashrura , Moyle Allison , Khan Faisal , Veitch Brian
Published: January 2019

Data scarcity has always been a significant challenge in the domain of human reliability analysis (HRA). The advancement of simulation technologies provides opportunities to collect human performance data that can facilitate both the development and validation paradigms of HRA. The potential of simulator data to improve HRA can be tapped through the use of advanced machine learning tools like Bayesian methods. Except for Bayesian networks, Bayesian methods have not been widely used in the HRA community. This paper uses a Bayesian method to enhance human error probability (HEP) assessment in offshore emergency situations using data generated in a simulator. Assessment begins by using constrained noninformative priors to define the HEPs in emergency situations. An experiment is then conducted in a simulator to collect human performance data in a set of emergency scenarios. Data collected during the experiment are used to update the priors and obtain informed posteriors. Use of the informed posteriors enables better understanding of the performance, and a more reliable and objective assessment of human reliability, compared to traditional assessment using expert judgment.
Fault-Tolerant Attitude Controller Design for Deep Space Probe Via Adaptive Fast Terminal Sliding Mode Control
Authors: Qi Ruiyun , Su Weiwei , Meng Yizhen
Published: January 2019

For deep space probe subject to uncertain time-varying inertia matrix, unknown external disturbances, actuator faults, and misalignment, a fault-tolerant attitude controller is designed in this paper, which is based on adaptive control and fast terminal sliding mode control (FTSMC) theories. A new method to handle actuator uncertainties is developed, which redefines the effectiveness matrix and the misalignment matrix. Moreover, an explicit sufficient condition is presented in order to construct the fault-tolerant attitude controller. The proposed controller can stabilize the attitude control system with a fast convergence rate and high precision. Simulations results demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed controller.
Structural Evolution and Formation Mechanism of LiNiO2 During High-Temperature Solid-State Synthesis
Authors: Deng Shiyi , Xue Longlong , Li Yunjiao , Lin Zehua , Li Wei , Chen Yongxiang , Lei Tongxing , Zhu Jie , Zhang Jinping
Published: January 2019

The processes and mechanisms of LiNiO2 synthesis during the high-temperature solid state method, using Ni(OH)2 precursor and different lithium salts (Li2CO3 and LiOH), were revealed by the thermal (TG–DTA) and structural (X-ray diffraction (XRD)) analyses. Morphology characterization (scanning electron microscopy (SEM)) and the soluble lithium titration are carried out to support the findings. The results show that the synthetic processes of LiNiO2 generally include raw materials' dehydration, oxidation, and combination; also, the existence of lithium salts makes the oxidation of Ni(OH)2 relatively easier. Comparing the two lithium salts involved in the reactions, LiOH will bring about a transition oxide (Ni8O10) and lower the initial reaction temperature for LiNiO2 generation. In addition, a decent temperature under 800 °C, a preheat treatment in 500–600 °C, and a properly longer heating time are suggested to be significant for obtaining the ideal LiNiO2 materials.
Shortcut to stationary regimes: A simple experimental demonstration
Authors: Faure S. , Ciliberto S. , Trizac E. , Guéry-Odelin D.
Published: January 2019

We introduce an inverse engineering approach to drive an RC circuit. This technique is implemented experimentally (1) to reach a stationary regime associated with a sinusoidal driving voltage in a very short amount of time, (2) to ensure a fast discharge of the capacitor, and (3) to guarantee a fast change from one stationary regime to another driven at different frequencies. This work can be used as a simple experimental project dedicated to the computer control of a voltage source. Besides the specific example addressed here, the proposed method provides an original use of simple linear differential equations to control the dynamical quantities of a physical system and has therefore a certain pedagogical value.
Modeling the effect of air-intake aperture size in the ping-pong ball cannon
Authors: Thuecks Derek J. , Demas Harrison A.
Published: January 2019

A vacuum cannon (or a ping-pong ball cannon) is commonly used by many physics departments to demonstrate the large forces that result from pressure differentials surrounding an object. In this paper, previous theoretical descriptions for the vacuum cannon are revisited and extended to include the effect of the air-intake aperture size on the projectile speed in the cannon. This extended treatment is mostly analytic although there is a small but necessary numerical aspect to this analysis. Good agreement has been found between theoretical predictions and observations using this new analysis. The principles involved in this theoretical framework are easily accessible to intermediate and advanced undergraduate students, and hence, the vacuum cannon demonstration could easily be transformed into an experiment appropriate for an undergraduate thermal physics course. Students would be expected to perform analytical derivations, write simple computational programs, and perform high-speed video capture and analysis. Thus, students would gain experience with analytical, numerical, and experimental techniques in a single project.
Measurement and implications of Saturn’s gravity field and ring mass
Authors: Iess L. , Militzer B. , Kaspi Y. , Nicholson P. , Durante D. , Racioppa P. , Anabtawi A. , Galanti E. , Hubbard W. , Mariani M. J. , Tortora P. , Wahl S. , Zannoni M.
Published: January 2019

Cassini's last look at Saturn's rings

During the final stages of the Cassini mission, the spacecraft flew between the planet and its rings, providing a new view on this spectacular system (see the Perspective by Ida). Setting the scene, Spilker reviews the numerous discoveries made using Cassini during the 13 years it spent orbiting Saturn. Iess
et al.
measured the gravitational pull on Cassini, separating the contributions from the planet and the rings. This allowed them to determine the interior structure of Saturn and the mass of its rings. Buratti
et al.
present observations of five small moons located in and around the rings. The moons each have distinctive shapes and compositions, owing to accretion of ring material. Tiscareno
et al.
observed the rings directly at close range, finding complex features sculpted by the gravitational interactions between moons and ring particles. Together, these results show that Saturn's rings are substantially younger than the planet itself and constrain models of their origin.

Science
, this issue p.
1046
, p.
eaat2965
, p.
eaat2349
, p.
eaau1017
; see also p.
1028
Learning ambidextrous robot grasping policies
Authors: Mahler Jeffrey , Matl Matthew , Satish Vishal , Danielczuk Michael , DeRose Bill , McKinley Stephen , Goldberg Ken
Published: January 2019

An ambidextrous grasping policy trained on synthetic datasets consistently clears bins of up to 25 novel objects with a physical robot.
Toward high-performance, memory-efficient, and fast reinforcement learning—Lessons from decision neuroscience
Authors: Lee Jee Hang , Seymour Ben , Leibo Joel Z. , An Su Jin , Lee Sang Wan
Published: January 2019

Insights from decision neuroscience raise hope for intelligent brain-inspired solutions to robot learning in real dynamic environments.
Safety in numbers: Identifying multiple targets for beta cell proliferation
Authors: Santulli Gaetano
Published: January 2019

Combined inhibition of DYRK1A and TGF-β pathways synergistically enhances proliferation and differentiation of human pancreatic beta cells.
Molecular Hydrogen, a Neglected Key Driver of Soil Biogeochemical Processes
Authors: Piché-Choquette Sarah , Constant Philippe
Published: January 2019

The atmosphere of the early Earth is hypothesized to have been rich in reducing gases such as hydrogen (H
2
). H
2
has been proposed as the first electron donor leading to ATP synthesis due to its ubiquity throughout the biosphere as well as its ability to easily diffuse through microbial cells and its low activation energy requirement.
Taxonomic and Functional Compositions of the Small Intestinal Microbiome in Neonatal Calves Provide a Framework for Understanding Early Life Gut Health
Authors: Malmuthuge Nilusha , Liang Guanxiang , Griebel Philip J. , Guan Le Luo
Published: January 2019

Dietary interventions to manipulate neonatal gut microbiota have been proposed to generate long-term impacts on hosts. Currently, our understanding of the early gut microbiome of neonatal calves is limited to 16S rRNA gene amplicon based microbial profiling, which is a barrier to developing dietary interventions to improve calf gut health. The use of a metagenome sequencing-based approach in the present study revealed high individual animal variation in taxonomic and functional abundance of intestinal microbiome and potential impacts of early microbiome on mucosal immune responses during the preweaning period. During this developmental period, age- and diet-related changes in microbial diversity, richness, density, and the abundance of taxa and functions were observed. A correlation-based approach to further explore the individual animal variation revealed potential enterotypes that can be linked to calf gut health, which may pave the way to developing strategies to manipulate the microbiome and improve calf health.
To Fix or Not To Fix: Controls on Free-Living Nitrogen Fixation in the Rhizosphere
Authors: Smercina Darian N. , Evans Sarah E. , Friesen Maren L. , Tiemann Lisa K.
Published: January 2019

Free-living nitrogen fixation (FLNF) in the rhizosphere, or N fixation by heterotrophic bacteria living on/near root surfaces, is ubiquitous and a significant source of N in some terrestrial systems. FLNF is also of interest in crop production as an alternative to chemical fertilizer, potentially reducing production costs and ameliorating negative environmental impacts of fertilizer N additions.
Improved
n
-Butanol Production from Clostridium cellulovorans by Integrated Metabolic and Evolutionary Engineering
Authors: Wen Zhiqiang , Ledesma-Amaro Rodrigo , Lin Jianping , Jiang Yu , Yang Sheng
Published: January 2019

Due to a lack of genetic tools,
Clostridium cellulovorans
DSM 743B has not been comprehensively explored as a putative strain platform for
n
-butanol production by consolidated bioprocessing (CBP). Based on the previous study of genetic tools, strain engineering of
C. cellulovorans
for the development of a CBP-enabling microbial chassis was demonstrated in this study. Metabolic engineering and evolutionary engineering were integrated to improve the
n
-butanol production of
C. cellulovorans
from the low-cost renewable agricultural waste of alkali-extracted, deshelled corn cobs (AECC). The
n
-butanol production from AECC was increased 138-fold, from less than 0.025 g/liter to 3.47 g/liter, which represents the highest titer of
n
-butanol produced using a single recombinant clostridium strain by CBP reported to date. This engineered strain serves as a promising chassis for
n
-butanol production from lignocellulose by CBP.
Host Range-Associated Clustering Based on Multilocus Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Analysis, Phylotypes, and Virulence Genes of Atypical Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Strains
Authors: Parvej Md Shafiullah , Nakamura Hiromi , Alam Md Ashraful , Wang Lili , Zhang Shaobo , Emura Kazuo , Kage-Nakadai Eriko , Wada Takayuki , Hara-Kudo Yukiko , Nishikawa Yoshikazu
Published: January 2019

Atypical enteropathogenic
Escherichia coli
(aEPEC) is a diarrheagenic type of
E. coli
, as it possesses the intimin gene (
eae
) for attachment and effacement on epithelium. Since aEPEC is ubiquitous even in developed countries, we previously used molecular epidemiological methods to discriminate aEPEC as a human pathogen. The present study assessed poultry as another source of human diarrheagenic aEPEC. Poultry could be the source of aEPEC (phylogroup B1, virulence group I, and intimin type β1) found among patient strains in Japan. However, the minimum spanning tree (MST) suggested that the strains from Japanese poultry were far from Japanese patient strains compared with the distance between bovine and patient strains. Bangladeshi avian strains seemed to be less diarrheagenic but are hazardous as a source of drug resistance genes.
Common conditions associated with hereditary haemochromatosis genetic variants: cohort study in UK Biobank
Authors: Pilling Luke C , Tamosauskaite Jone , Jones Garan , Wood Andrew R , Jones Lindsay , Kuo Chai-Ling , Kuchel George A , Ferrucci Luigi , Melzer David
Published: January 2019

Objective

To compare prevalent and incident morbidity and mortality between those with the
HFE
p.C282Y genetic variant (responsible for most hereditary haemochromatosis type 1) and those with no p.C282Y mutations, in a large UK community sample of European descent.

Design

Cohort study.

Setting

22 centres across England, Scotland, and Wales in UK Biobank (2006-10).

Participants

451 243 volunteers of European descent aged 40 to 70 years, with a mean follow-up of seven years (maximum 9.4 years) through hospital inpatient diagnoses and death certification.

Main outcome measure

Odds ratios and Cox hazard ratios of disease rates between participants with and without the haemochromatosis mutations, adjusted for age, genotyping array type, and genetic principal components. The sexes were analysed separately as morbidity due to iron excess occurs later in women.

Results

Of 2890 participants homozygous for p.C282Y (0.6%, or 1 in 156), haemochromatosis was diagnosed in 21.7% (95% confidence interval 19.5% to 24.1%, 281/1294) of men and 9.8% (8.4% to 11.2%, 156/1596) of women by end of follow-up. p.C282Y homozygous men aged 40 to 70 had a higher prevalence of diagnosed haemochromatosis (odds ratio 411.1, 95% confidence interval 299.0 to 565.3, P<0.001), liver disease (4.30, 2.97 to 6.18, P<0.001), rheumatoid arthritis (2.23, 1.51 to 3.31, P<0.001), osteoarthritis (2.01, 1.71 to 2.36, P<0.001), and diabetes mellitus (1.53, 1.16 to 1.98, P=0.002), versus no p.C282Y mutations (n=175 539). During the seven year follow-up, 15.7% of homozygous men developed at least one incident associated condition versus 5.0% (P<0.001) with no p.C282Y mutations (women 10.1%
v
3.4%, P<0.001). Haemochromatosis diagnoses were more common in p.C282Y/p.H63D heterozygotes, but excess morbidity was modest.

Conclusions

In a large community sample,
HFE
p.C282Y homozygosity was associated with substantial prevalent and incident clinically diagnosed morbidity in both men and women. As p.C282Y associated iron overload is preventable and treatable if intervention starts early, these findings justify re-examination of options for expanded early case ascertainment and screening.
Financial interests of patient organisations contributing to technology assessment at England’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence: policy review
Authors: Mandeville Kate L , Barker Rosie , Packham Alice , Sowerby Charlotte , Yarrow Kielan , Patrick Hannah
Published: January 2019

Objective

To investigate the prevalence of financial interests among patient organisations contributing to health technology assessment at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in England and the extent to which NICE’s disclosure policy ensures that decision making committees are aware of these interests.

Design

Policy review using accounts, annual reports, and websites of patient organisations; payments declared by pharmaceutical manufacturers on their websites and a centralised database (Disclosure UK); declarations of interests by nominated representatives of patient organisations; and responses from patient organisations.

Setting

Appraisals of medicines and treatments (technologies) for use in the English and Welsh National Health Service.

Participants

53 patient organisations contributing to 41 NICE technology appraisals published in 2015 and 2016, with 117 separate occasions that a patient organisation contributed to the appraisal of a technology.

Main outcome measures

Prevalence of specific interests (that is, funding from manufacturer(s) of a technology under appraisal or competitor products); proportion of specific interests of which NICE’s decision making committees were aware; proportion of unknown specific interests for which disclosure was not required by NICE’s policy

Results

38/53 (72%) patient organisations had accepted funding from the manufacturer(s) of a technology or a competitor product in the same year that they had contributed to the appraisal of that technology or the previous year. Specific interests were present on 92/117 (79%) occasions that patient organisations contributed to appraisals in 2015 and 2016. NICE’s decision making committees were aware of less than a quarter of specific interests (30/144; 21%). For nearly two thirds of the specific interests not known to committees (71/114; 62%), disclosure by patient organisations was not required by NICE’s policy.

Conclusions

Financial interests are highly prevalent among patient organisations contributing to health technology assessment. NICE should review its disclosure policy to ensure that decision making committees are aware of all relevant interests.
Safety and efficiency of the fifth generation Woven EndoBridge device: technical note
Authors: Mihalea Cristian , Caroff Jildaz , Pagiola Igor , Ikka Leon , Hashemi Gelareh Bani , Naderi Soheil , Chalumeau Vanessa , Ples Horia , Popa Bogdan Valeriu , Yasuda Thomas , Marenco de la Torre Joaquin Jose , Iacobucci Marta , Ozanne Augustin , Gallas Sophie , Rouchaud Aymeric , Pescariu Sorin , Moret Jacques , Spelle Laurent
Published: January 2019

Backround

The treatment of wide neck bifurcation aneurysms remains challenging despite the introduction of new techniques (Y stenting, waffle cone technique, or flow diverter stents). The Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device is an innovative solution for this type of cerebral aneurysm. A new WEB 17 is now available and has been designed to offer smaller sized devices to optimize navigability and delivery.

Methods

Between February 2017 and April 2018 all patients treated with the WEB 17 device in our center were retrospectively reviewed. 25 patients with 28 non-ruptured aneurysms were identified and analyzed. Three patients with two aneurysms both treated with the WEB device were identified.

Results

The device was successfully deployed in all cases. Procedure related morbidity was 4% and mortality was 0%. In one case, a delayed postprocedural thromboembolic event occurred owing to device protrusion. Technical success, complications, angiographic outcomes, procedural data, and follow-ups are reported. The modified Rankin Scale score at discharge was 0 for 24 patients (96%). At the 3, 6, or 9 month follow-up, angiograms were taken of 21 of the 25 patients (84%) (24 of 28 aneurysms had been controlled); 3 patients (3 aneurysms) did not receive angiographic follow-up at the time of submission of this work. Complete occlusion was achieved in 22 of 24 aneurysms (91.66%), and 2 of 24 aneurysm (8.33%) showed a neck remnant.

Conclusions

The WEB 17 is safe and technically feasible, according to this retrospective single center analysis. For very small bifurcation aneurysms, the WEB 17 seems to have lower complication rates than stent assisted techniques. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the complication rate and long term efficiency.
The 100 most cited articles in the endovascular management of acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Ravindran Krishnan , Kurda Dylan , Maingard Julian , Phan Kevin , Kok Hong Kuan , Thijs Vincent , Hirsch Joshua A , Lee Michael J , Chandra Ronil V , Brooks Duncan Mark , Asadi Hamed
Published: January 2019

Background and purpose

Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) has revolutionized the management of acute ischemic stroke. Landmark clinical trials have shown EVT to be one of the most efficacious interventions in clinical medicine over the past 5 years. A method of recognition for an article in the scientific community is to use a citation rank list, in order to identify the seminal works in the academic medical literature. The objective of this study was to characterize the 100 most highly cited articles assessing endovascular management of acute ischemic stroke.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective bibliometric analysis using the Web of Science Citation Index Expanded database for the most cited works in the endovascular management of acute ischemic stroke. Citation count was used to rank the top 100 articles, which were then analyzed for authorship, year of publication, subject, study type, level of evidence, and subject.

Results

The mean number of citations was 245 (range 65–1726) and 394 on Google Scholar. The top 100 articles were cited an average of 43.9 times per year and published in 21 journals in the past two decades. The majority of papers (62) were classified as constituting levels 1, 2, or 3 evidence, and included 17 randomized controlled trials. Approximately two-thirds of the top 100 articles originated from the USA.

Conclusions

This study details the most cited articles in the endovascular management of acute ischemic stroke, and furthermore shows that a high proportion of level I evidence exists for this intervention.
Gordon Nicholson Henderson
Authors: Jones Bruce Vivash
Published: January 2019

A dynamic entrepreneur who had a pivotal role in developing veterinary associations and societies, and demonstrated boundless enthusiasm in encouraging the profession to engage with the public.
Is replacing time spent in 1 type of physical activity with another associated with health in children?
Authors: Macgregor Anne P. , Borghese Michael M. , Janssen Ian
Published: January 2019

Altering the proportion of total physical activity time accumulated while participating in different types of physical activity may influence health. Our objective was to use observational data to estimate whether replacing time from 1 type of physical activity with another is associated with physical and mental health indicators among children. Participants were 385 children aged 10–13 years. They wore a Global Positioning System watch and accelerometer and completed an activity log for 7 days. Data from these instruments was used to estimate time spent in outdoor active play, organized sport, curriculum-based physical activity at school, and active transportation. A cardiometabolic risk factor score was created from body fat, resting heart rate, and resting blood pressure measures. An internalizing symptoms score was created using anxiety and depression symptom questionnaire items. Isotemporal substitution models estimated if health indicators changed when time in 1 type of physical activity was replaced with equivalent time from another. The results indicated that time spent in all types of physical activity combined was associated with the cardiometabolic risk factor and internalizing symptom scores. Replacing active transportation with outdoor active play was associated with an increase in the internalizing symptoms score but a decrease in the cardiometabolic risk factor score. The internalizing symptoms score decreased when active transportation was replaced by equivalent time in organized sport. Other time substitutions were not significant. In conclusion, the total time spent participating in physical activity and not a specific type of physical activity was the most consistent correlate of the health indicators.
An extreme gradient boosting method for identifying the factors contributing to crash/near-crash events: a naturalistic driving study
Authors: Mousa Saleh R. , Bakhit Peter R. , Ishak Sherif
Published: January 2019

Despite the research efforts for reducing traffic accidents, the number of global annual vehicle accidents is still on the rise. This continues to motivate researchers to examine the factors contributing to crash and near-crash events (CNC). Recently, many studies attempted to identify the associated crash factors using naturalistic driving study (SHRP2-NDS) data. Despite the many classifiers developed in the literature, the high dimensionality and multicollinearity within the SHRP2-NDS data limit the accuracy and reliability of the developed models. This study develops an extreme gradient boosting (XGB) classifier, robust to multicollinearity, using the SHRP2-NDS dataset for identifying the factors contributing to CNC events. The performance of the XGB classifier is evaluated against three other advanced machine-learning algorithms. Results indicate that the XGB model outperformed the other models with a detection accuracy of 85% and identified the “driver behavior” and “intersection influence” as the most contributing factors to CNC detection.
Partitioned tectonic shortening, with emphasis on outcrop-scale folding and flattening, Pindos fold-and-thrust belt, Peloponnese, Greece
Authors: Davis George H.
Published: January 2019

Shortening estimates for fold–thrust belts seldom take into consideration outcrop-scale folding, especially folding related to prethrusting layer-parallel shortening (LPS) and flattening. The Pindos belt of the Peloponnese contains products of Maastrichtian to Paleocene tectonic shortening amenable to assessing strain partitioning. Shortening there initiated with LPS, including outcrop-scale folding, which was superseded by thrusting and macrofolding, with both macromechanisms producing additional outcrop-scale folding and (or) form-modification of initial LPS outcrop-scale folds. Skourlis and Doutsos (2003. International Journal of Earth Sciences, 92: 891–903) concluded that total shortening in this region was 68%, the summation of ∼15% LPS, ∼6% fault-related macrofolding, and ∼47% thrust–slip translation. But even this degree of shortening may be underestimated when outcrop-scale folding is considered. Two limestone-dominated Cretaceous formations and one Cretaceous–Eocene formation of limestone and mudstone display spectacular outcrop-scale folding produced by true multilayer behavior, internal buckling, and disharmonic quasi-flexural folding. Fold forms vary from chevron buckling of multilayers to more rounded folding of true multilayers to disharmonic flattened folds in pseudo-bedded limestone. Ramsay analysis of layer thickness variations across individual disharmonic folds underscores the disharmonic fold forms and intense degree of pressure dissolution generated fold flattening. Line-length shortening for well exposed “packages” of LPS outcrop-scale folding is as high as 30%, but overlying and underlying panels may be more modestly folded and (or) flattened, suggesting that shortening transfer mechanisms may have caused some sections to be bypassed. Achieving more meaningful shortening estimates of the outcrop-scale folding within an entire progressive deformation will require understanding of the partitioning of distribution of this folding regionally.
Pargasite-bearing vein in spinel lherzolite from the mantle lithosphere of the North America Cordillera
Authors: Ghent Edward D. , Edwards Benjamin R. , Russell James K.
Published: January 2019

Basanite lavas near Craven Lake, British Columbia, host a spinel lherzolite xenolith containing cross-cutting veins with pargasitic amphibole (plus minor apatite). The occurrence of vein amphibole in spinel lherzolite is singular for the Canadian Cordillera. The vein crosscuts foliated peridotite and is itself cut by the basanite host. The amphibole is pargasite, which is the most common amphibole composition in mantle peridotite. Rare earth element concentrations in the pargasite are similar to those for mafic alkaline rocks across the northern Cordilleran volcanic province (light rare earth elements ∼50× chondrite and heavy rare earth elements ∼5× chondrite). Two-pyroxene geothermometry suggests that the vein and host peridotite were thermally equilibrated prior to sampling by the basanite magma. Calculated temperature conditions for the sample, assuming equilibration along a model steady-state geotherm, are between 990 and 1050 °C and correspond to a pressure of 0.15 GPa (∼52 ± 2 km depth). These conditions are consistent with the stability limits of mantle pargasite in the presence of a fluid having XH2O < ∼0.1. The pargasite vein and associated apatite provide direct evidence for postaccretion fracture infiltration of CO2–F–H2O-bearing silicate fluids into the Cordilleran mantle lithosphere. Pargasite with low aH2O is in equilibrium with parts per million concentrations of H2O in mantle olivine, potentially lowering the mechanical strength of the lithospheric mantle underlying the Cordillera and making it more susceptible to processes such as lithospheric delamination. Remelting of Cordilleran mantle lithosphere containing amphibole veins may be involved in the formation of sporadic nephelinite found in the Canadian Cordillera.