bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of the intrinsic electrical matrix conductivity on the piezoelectric charge constant of piezoelectric composites
Authors: Stuber Vincent L , Mahon Tadhg R , van der Zwaag Sybrand , Groen Pim
Published: November 2019

Polymer-piezoceramic composites have drawn a lot of attention for sensor and energy harvesting applications. Poling such materials can be difficult due to the electric field getting mostly distributed over the low dielectric constant matrix. During this process, the electrical matrix conductivity plays a vital role. This work shows how two different polymer materials, loaded with various piezoelectric ceramic fillers, have very different poling efficiencies simply due to their intrinsic matrix conductivity. It is shown how temperature increases the matrix conductivity, and hence, increases the piezoelectric charge constant of the composites. By choosing the proper matrix material under the proper conditions, piezoelectric composites can be poled at electric fields as low as 2 kV mm−1, which is identical to that of bulk ceramic fillers. In addition, the matrix conductivity can be altered by aging the composites in a high humidity atmosphere, which can increase the piezoelectric charge constant in similar fashion. This is a simple method to increase the matrix conductivity, and hence the piezoelectric charge constant, without the need to add any conductive fillers into the composites, which increase complexity, and leads to an increased dielectric losses.
Simulation to fabrication—understanding the effect of NiAuCu alloy catalysts for controlled growth of graphene at reduced temperature
Authors: Zhan Huahan , Jiang Bin , Zietz Otto , Olson Samuel , Jiao Jun
Published: November 2019

It is a significant challenge to grow large-scale, high quality, monolayer graphene at low temperature for the applications in industry, especially for the complementary metal oxide semiconductor fabrication process. To overcome this difficulty, we simulated the decomposition of acetylene (C2H2) on (100) surfaces of primarily nickel (Ni) catalysts with small mol fractions of gold (Au) and copper (Cu), using a 4 × 4 × 4 periodic supercell model. Based on the calculation of the reaction energies to decompose the C-H or C≡C bonds on different catalyst surfaces, a differential energy is proposed to clearly scale the decomposition difficulties such that larger differential energy leads to easier control of the monolayer growth. It is observed that on the NiAuCu alloy surface with a mol fraction 0.0313 of both Au and Cu, the differential energy of the C-H bonds and the C≡C bond are both positive, showing an obvious modulation effect on the decomposition of C2H2 and the catalytic activites. The simulation result is consistent with the growth of uniform monolayer graphene on silicon dioxide substrate at 500°C by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition with C2H2 precursor and Ni alloy catalysts with 1 wt% Au and 1 wt% Cu.
Thickness effect on sensing properties of pure Cu2O thin films under sub-ppm O3 levels
Authors: Ben Nacer S , Labidi A , Touihri S , Aguir K
Published: November 2019

The sub-ppm ozone (O3) sensitivity of pure cuprous (Cu2O) thin films based sensors have been investigated by utilizing conductivity measurements at different temperatures varies from 150 to 200 °C. The structural and morphological properties of Cu2O sensitive layers have been investigated by the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) respectively. The detection properties of Cu2O layers have been strongly altered by the electrode geometries and sensitive layer thickness. The sensors’ responses and structural investigations revealed that the ozone sensitivity has improved with the increase in the degree of crystallinity along the preferential direction (111). Ab-initio calculation shows that O3 adsorption mechanism could be semi- dissociative of O3 molecule on the Cu2O (111) surface, giving O2 molecule remaining in interaction with the surface and an adsorbed oxygen Oads.
Effect of Li doping on conductivity and band gap of nickel oxide thin film deposited by spin coating technique
Authors: J Arunodaya , Sahoo Trilochan
Published: November 2019

Nickel oxide, a stable inorganic p-type semiconductor with wide bandgap is an attractive hole transport material for the perovskite-based solar cells. Doping the nickel oxide with group-1 elements such as lithium, sodium, and potassium is found to increase the conductivity of the film. In the present work lithium doped and undoped nickel oxide thin films are coated on the glass substrate by spin coating method under ambient conditions, and the effects of doping are investigated. The structural, electrical and optical properties have been studied for different doping concentrations. X-ray diffraction confirms the formation of single-phase cubic nickel oxide. It is found that the conductivity increases nine times as the lithium concentration increases. The UV–vis spectroscopy measurement modulates the bandgap with the increase in the lithium-ion concentration.
Predicting drug-induced hepatotoxicity based on biological feature maps and diverse classification strategies
Authors: Su Ran , Wu Huichen , Liu Xinyi , Wei Leyi
Published: November 2019

Identifying hepatotoxicity as early as possible is significant in drug development. In this study, we developed a drug-induced hepatotoxicity prediction model taking account of both the biological context and the computational efficacy based on toxicogenomics data. Specifically, we proposed a novel gene selection algorithm considering gene’s participation, named BioCB, to choose the discriminative genes and make more efficient prediction. Then instead of using the raw gene expression levels to characterize each drug, we developed a two-dimensional biological process feature pattern map to represent each drug. Then we employed two strategies to handle the maps and identify the hepatotoxicity, the direct use of maps, named Two-dim branch, and vectorization of maps, named One-dim branch. The two strategies subsequently used the deep convolutional neural networks and LightGBM as predictors, respectively. Additionally, we here for the first time proposed a stacked vectorized gene matrix, which was more predictive than the raw gene matrix. Results validated on both in vivo and in vitro data from two public data sets, the TG-GATES and DrugMatrix, show that the proposed One-dim branch outperforms the deep framework, the Two-dim branch, and has achieved high accuracy and efficiency. The implementation of the proposed method is available at https://github.com/RanSuLab/Hepatotoxicity.
Ifosfamide nephrotoxicity in adult patients
Authors: Ensergueix Gaël , Pallet Nicolas , Joly Dominique , Levi Charlène , Chauvet Sophie , Trivin Claire , Augusto Jean-Francois , Boudet Rémi , Aboudagga Hail , Touchard Guy , Nochy Dominique , Essig Marie , Thervet Eric , Lazareth Hélène , Karras Alexandre
Published: November 2019

Background

Ifosfamide, a widely prescribed antineoplasic agent, is frequently associated with kidney dysfunction. Its nephrotoxicity is well documented in children, but data are lacking in adult patients.

Methods

The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the clinical, biological and histological characteristics of ifosfamide nephrotoxicity.

Results

We report 34 patients (median age: 41 years) admitted in six French nephrology departments for kidney failure and/or tubular dysfunction. Fifteen patients (44.1%) received cisplatin as part of their chemotherapy. In 6 patients (17.7%), ifosfamide nephrotoxicity was revealed by a proximal tubular dysfunction (PTD), in 5 patients (14.4%) by an acute kidney injury (AKI), in 6 patients (17.7%) by a chronic kidney disease (CKD) and in 17 patients (49.7%) by an association of PTD and AKI. Fourteen renal biopsies (41.2%) were performed and revealed acute tubular necrosis (85.7%), vacuolation (78.6%) and nuclear atypias (71.4%) of renal epithelial cells, interstitial inflammation (71.4%) and fibrosis (57.1%). Electron microscopy showed mitochondrial enlargement and dysmorphic changes suggestive of mitochondrial toxicity. Ten patients (29.4%) progressed to Stage 5 CKD, six (17.6%) required haemodialysis and six patients died during a median follow-up period of 31 months. Risk factors for Stage 5 CKD were age and cisplatin co-administration.
A Multivariate Blind Ring Signature Scheme
Authors: Hoang Duong Dung , Susilo Willy , Tran Ha Thanh Nguyen
Published: November 2019

Blind signatures are an important and useful tool in designing digital cash schemes and electronic voting protocols. Ring signatures on the other hand provide the anonymity of the signer within the ring of users. In order to fit to some real-life applications, it is useful to combine both protocols to create a blind ring signature scheme, which utilizes all of their features. In this paper, we propose, for the first time, a post-quantum blind ring signature scheme. Our scheme is constructed based on multivariate public key cryptography, which is one of the main candidates for post-quantum cryptography.
Segmentectomy or lobectomy for early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Winckelmans Thomas , Decaluwé Herbert , De Leyn Paul , Van Raemdonck Dirk
Published: November 2019

OBJECTIVES

The role of segmentectomy in early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a matter of debate. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the oncological outcomes following segmentectomy versus lobectomy for stage I, stage IA only and stage IA <2 cm only.

METHODS

We systematically searched the literature for articles reporting on overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) or recurrence-free survival (RFS). The hazard ratios (HRs) were retrieved and pooled using an inverse variance-weighted approach.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight studies were included in the analysis. In stage I, segmentectomy was found to be inferior to lobectomy for all 3 outcomes with HR: 1.25 (P = 0.01) for OS, 1.59 (P = 0.02) for CSS and 1.40 (P < 0.001) for RFS. In stage IA, the differences were significant for OS and CSS, though not for RFS with HR: 1.31 (P = 0.04), 1.56 (P = 0.02) and 1.22 (P = 0.11), respectively. In stage IA <2 cm, no significant differences were found between segmentectomy and lobectomy with HR: 1.13 (P = 0.37) for OS, 1.02 (P = 0.95) for CSS and 1.24 (P = 0.11) for RFS.

CONCLUSIONS

For stages I and IA, lobectomy showed superior results whereas for tumours <2 cm, our study did not find significant differences in oncological outcomes between both groups. These results suggest that segmentectomy might be a valuable alternative to lobectomy for NSCLC in tumours <2 cm.
External validity of a model to predict postoperative atrial fibrillation after thoracic surgery
Authors: Smith Heather , Li Heidi , Brandts-Longtin Olivier , Yeung Ching , Maziak Donna , Gilbert Sebastien , Villeneuve Patrick James , Sundaresan Sudhir , Passman Rod , Shamji Farid , Seely Andrew J E
Published: November 2019

OBJECTIVES

A prediction model developed by Passman et al. stratifies patients’ risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after major non-cardiac thoracic surgery using 3 simple factors (sex, age and preoperative resting heart rate). The model has neither undergone external validation nor proven to be relevant in current thoracic surgery practice.

METHODS

A retrospective single-centre analysis of all patients who underwent major non-cardiac thoracic surgery (2008–2017) with prospective documentation of incidence and severity of POAF was used for external validation of Passman’s derivation sample (published in 2005 with 856 patients). The model calibration was assessed by evaluating the incidence of POAF and patients’ risk scores (0–6).

RESULTS

A total of 2054 patients were included. Among them, POAF occurred in 164 (7.9%), compared to 147 (17.2%) in Passman’s study. Differences in our sample compared to Passman’s sample included mean heart rate (75.7 vs 73.7 bpm, P < 0.001), proportion of patients with hypertension (46.1 vs 29.4%, P < 0.001), proportion of extensive lung resections, particularly pneumonectomy (6.1 vs 21%, P < 0.001) and proportion of minimally invasive surgeries (56.6% vs 0%). The model demonstrated a positive correlation between risk scores and POAF incidence (risk score 1.2% vs 6.16%).

CONCLUSIONS

The POAF model demonstrated good calibration in our population, despite a lower overall incidence of POAF compared to the derivation study. POAF rates were higher among patients with a higher risk score and undergoing procedures with greater intrathoracic dissection. This tool may be useful in identifying patients who are at risk of POAF when undergoing major thoracic surgery and may, therefore, benefit from targeted prophylactic therapy.
Arctic tundra soil bacterial communities active at subzero temperatures detected by stable isotope probing
Authors: Gadkari Preshita S , McGuinness Lora R , Männistö Minna K , Kerkhof Lee J , Häggblom Max M
Published: November 2019

Arctic soils store vast amounts of carbon and are subject to intense climate change. While the effects of thaw on the composition and activities of Arctic tundra microorganisms has been examined extensively, little is known about the consequences of temperature fluctuations within the subzero range in seasonally frozen or permafrost soils. This study identified tundra soil bacteria active at subzero temperatures using stable isotope probing (SIP). Soils from Kilpisjärvi, Finland, were amended with 13C-cellobiose and incubated at 0, −4 and −16°C for up to 40 weeks. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of 13C-labelled DNA revealed distinct subzero-active bacterial taxa. The SIP experiments demonstrated that diverse bacteria, including members of Candidatus Saccharibacteria, Melioribacteraceae, Verrucomicrobiaceae, Burkholderiaceae, Acetobacteraceae, Armatimonadaceae and Planctomycetaceae, were capable of synthesising 13C-DNA at subzero temperatures. Differences in subzero temperature optima were observed, for example, with members of Oxalobacteraceae and Rhizobiaceae found to be more active at 0°C than at −4°C or −16°C, whereas Melioribacteriaceae were active at all subzero temperatures tested. Phylogeny of 13C-labelled 16S rRNA genes from the Melioribacteriaceae, Verrucomicrobiaceae and Candidatus Saccharibacteria suggested that these taxa formed subzero-active clusters closely related to members from other cryo-environments. This study demonstrates that subzero temperatures impact active bacterial community composition and activity, which may influence biogeochemical cycles.
A multi-day and multi-band dataset for a steady-state visual-evoked potential–based brain-computer interface
Authors: Choi Ga-Young , Han Chang-Hee , Jung Young-Jin , Hwang Han-Jeong
Published: November 2019

Background

A steady-state visual-evoked potential (SSVEP) is a brain response to visual stimuli modulated at certain frequencies; it has been widely used in electroencephalography (EEG)-based brain–computer interface research. However, there are few published SSVEP datasets for brain–computer interface. In this study, we obtained a new SSVEP dataset based on measurements from 30 participants, performed on 2 days; our dataset complements existing SSVEP datasets: (i) multi-band SSVEP datasets are provided, and all 3 possible frequency bands (low, middle, and high) were used for SSVEP stimulation; (ii) multi-day datasets are included; and (iii) the EEG datasets include simultaneously obtained physiological measurements, such as respiration, electrocardiography, electromyography, and head motion (accelerator).

Findings

To validate our dataset, we estimated the spectral powers and classification performance for the EEG (SSVEP) datasets and created an example plot to visualize the physiological time-series data. Strong SSVEP responses were observed at stimulation frequencies, and the mean classification performance of the middle frequency band was significantly higher than the low- and high-frequency bands. Other physiological data also showed reasonable results.

Conclusions

Our multi-band, multi-day SSVEP datasets can be used to optimize stimulation frequencies because they enable simultaneous investigation of the characteristics of the SSVEPs evoked in each of the 3 frequency bands, and solve session-to-session (day-to-day) transfer problems by enabling investigation of the non-stationarity of SSVEPs measured on different days. Additionally, auxiliary physiological data can be used to explore the relationship between SSVEP characteristics and physiological conditions, providing useful information for optimizing experimental paradigms to achieve high performance.
Unaccountable Subjects: Contracting Legal and Medical Authority in the Newgate Smallpox Experiment (1721)
Authors: Weinreich Spencer J
Published: November 2019

The first experimental trials of smallpox inoculation were conducted on a group of prisoners in London’s Newgate Prison in 1721. These inmates were long believed to have been facing execution, but archival material reveals that they had in fact received pardons conditional on penal transportation to the Americas. This article rereads the design, progress, and reception of the experiment, reorienting the narrative around the prisoners, their agency, and the legal mechanisms of transportation and pardon. In that light the experiment reflects the dynamics of eighteenth-century governance and punishment: a relatively weak state’s reliance on contractors and deputies (whether to transport convicts or to conduct experiments), on the tacit co-operation of those below, and on the rhetorical management of its actions. Forced to accord the Newgate prisoners a measure of autonomy, the physicians and their royal backers faced a constant struggle to manage their subjects’ participation and to control the experiment’s meaning amid fierce controversy that ranged far beyond inoculation. The Newgate cohort reveals a basic identity between the medical subject and the political subject, but also highlights the fragility of such scripts, regardless of the political, economic, and cultural apparatus brought to bear.
On the Local Structure of Mahler Systems
Authors: Roques Julien
Published: November 2019

This paper is a 1st step in the direction of a better understanding of the structure of the so-called Mahler systems: we classify these systems over the field $\mathscr{H}$ of Hahn series over $\overline{{\mathbb{Q}}}$ and with value group ${\mathbb{Q}}$. As an application of (a variant of) our main result, we give an alternative proof of the following fact: if, for almost all primes $p$, the reduction modulo $p$ of a given Mahler equation with coefficients in ${\mathbb{Q}}(z)$ has a full set of algebraic solutions over $\mathbb{F}_{p}(z)$, then the given equation has a full set of solutions in $\overline{{\mathbb{Q}}}(z)$ (this is analogous to Grothendieck’s conjecture for differential equations).
Understanding and detecting defects in healthcare administration data: Toward higher data quality to better support healthcare operations and decisions
Authors: Zhang Yili , Koru Güneş
Published: November 2019

Objective

Development of systematic approaches for understanding and assessing data quality is becoming increasingly important as the volume and utilization of health data steadily increases. In this study, a taxonomy of data defects was developed and utilized when automatically detecting defects to assess Medicaid data quality maintained by one of the states in the United States.

Materials and Methods

There were more than 2.23 million rows and 32 million cells in the Medicaid data examined. The taxonomy was developed through document review, descriptive data analysis, and literature review. A software program was created to automatically detect defects by using a set of constraints whose development was facilitated by the taxonomy.

Results

Five major categories and seventeen subcategories of defects were identified. The major categories are missingness, incorrectness, syntax violation, semantic violation, and duplicity. More than 3 million defects were detected indicating substantial problems with data quality. Defect density exceeded 10% in five tables. The majority of the data defects belonged to format mismatch, invalid code, dependency-contract violation, and implausible value types. Such contextual knowledge can support prioritized quality improvement initiatives for the Medicaid data studied.

Conclusions

This research took the initial steps to understand the types of data defects and detect defects in large healthcare datasets. The results generally suggest that healthcare organizations can potentially benefit from focusing on data quality improvement. For those purposes, the taxonomy developed and the approach followed in this study can be adopted.
A AAA ATPase Cdc48 with a cofactor Ubx2 facilitates ubiquitylation of a mitochondrial fusion-promoting factor Fzo1 for proteasomal degradation
Authors: Nahar Sabiqun , Chowdhury Abhijit , Ogura Teru , Esaki Masatoshi
Published: November 2019

Dynamic functionality of mitochondria is maintained by continual fusion and fission events. A mitochondrial outer membrane protein Fzo1 plays a pivotal role upon mitochondrial fusion by homo-oligomerization to tether fusing mitochondria. Fzo1 is tightly regulated by ubiquitylations and the ubiquitin-responsible AAA protein Cdc48. Here, we show that a Cdc48 cofactor Ubx2 facilitates Fzo1 turnover. The Cdc48-Ubx2 complex has been shown to facilitate degradation of ubiquitylated proteins stacked at the protein translocation complex in the mitochondrial outer membrane by releasing them from the translocase. By contrast, in the degradation process of Fzo1, the Cdc48-Ubx2 complex appears to facilitate the degradation-signalling ubiquitylation of the substrate itself. In addition, the Cdc48-Ubx2 complex interacts with Ubp2, a deubiquitylase reversing the degradation-signalling ubiquitylation of Fzo1. These results suggest that the Cdc48-Ubx2 complex regulates Fzo1 turnover by modulating ubiquitylation status of the substrate.
Larvae of female Caecognathia sp. (Isopoda: Gnathiidae) are attracted to male adults and prolong their larval phase in the absence of males
Authors: Hayashi Chiaki , Tanaka Katsuhiko , Hirose Euichi
Published: November 2019

The interaction between males and females (adults and/or larvae) of Caecognathia sp., a parasite of fishes, was studied in the laboratory to investigate the attraction of the opposite sexes and the induction of metamorphosis to adults. We reared the third-stage larvae collected by a light trap to develop them into adults. Their sex ratio was 104 males to 100 females, suggesting that females and males have similar fitness. The attraction experiments using an experimental chamber demonstrate that adult males attract female larvae that were also attracted by the dichloromethane extract of males but not the female extract. The males also induce the praniza females to develop into adults. When there are no males present, females can prolong the larval phase and moreover can spontaneously start to develop into adults after the prolonged larval phase. As in other isopods, the gnathiid female is supposed to be able to copulate immediately after metamorphosis, and the timing of metamorphosis is therefore crucial. The prolongable larval phase in the gnathiid female could be an adaptation to a polygynous, semelparous system and brief copulatory phase after the metamorphosis into adult female.
Response of Trichogramma spp. (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) to Insecticides at Concentrations Sublethal to Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Authors: Yang Yajun , Wang Caiyun , Xu Hongxing , Tian Junce , Lu Zhongxian
Published: November 2019

Trichogramma japonicum Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) and Trichogramma dendrolimi Matsumura (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) are important parasitoids of Lepidopteran pests and are used for biological control in rice fields. In this study, the response of two of these parasitoids to four insecticides (chlorpyrifos, chlorantraniliprole, emamectin benzoate, and spinosad) were evaluated at target sublethal concentrations (TSC10 and TSC25, representing the LC10 and LC25 to the target pest) of the important rice pest, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée). Each of the insecticides led to the mortality of adult T. japonicum and T. dendrolimi at TSC10 and TSC25, whereas no significant differences in the mortality of T. japonicum between TSC10 of chlorantraniliprole and control groups occurred. The parasitic capacity increased at F0 of T. japonicum at the two TSCs of spinosad treated host eggs, whereas the TSC10 was lower for emamectin benzoate at F1 for T. japonicum. The TSCs of chlorpyrifos treated host eggs negatively influenced the emergence rates of T. japonicum at F1. Emamectin benzoate with TSC10 reduced the female ratio of T. japonicum at F1. For T. dendrolimi, the TSCs of chlorpyrifos treated host eggs negatively influenced the emergence rates at F1. These findings indicate that T. japonicum and T. dendrolimi are affected by insecticides at TSCs, and among the four insecticides, chlorantraniliprole had the lowest mortality rates for T. japonicum and T. dendrolimi at TSCs.
Implementing a Participatory Human Rights-Based Research Methodology: The Unfitness to Plead Project
Authors: Arstein-Kerslake Anna , Gooding Piers , Mercer Sarah , Raymond Marlena , McSherry Bernadette
Published: November 2019

This article describes a novel action-research methodology that combines aspects of participatory methods and emancipatory principles into a human rights-based framework. The history of these different methods is discussed and the authors then explain how the methods can be combined to create a participatory human rights-based research methodology. This new methodology has the potential for high social impact, community inclusion, and scholarly output. The article also describes the implementation of the methodology on a project which analysed the human rights compliance of unfitness to plead laws in the Australian criminal justice system. This project developed a system of support persons within community legal centres across Australia in order to build an evidence-base for good practice in supporting people with cognitive disability who are charged with a crime. The new participatory human rights-based methodology was successful on this project and is replicable in future human rights research.
Glaxo gets puffed out: UK High Court finds colour purple not distinctive for asthma inhaler
Authors: Cameron Katie , Strath Janet
Published: November 2019

Glaxo Wellcome UK Ltd v Sandoz Ltd [2019] EWHC 2545 (Ch), High Court of England and Wales, 4 October 2019

The High Court has dismissed an action for passing off bought by Glaxo against Sandoz in respect of use of the colour purple for its AirFluSal Forspiro inhaler.
Initial experience of robotic anatomical segmentectomy for non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Kagimoto Atsushi , Tsutani Yasuhiro , Izaki Yu , Handa Yoshinori , Mimae Takahiro , Miyata Yoshihiro , Okada Morihito
Published: November 2019

Objective

Anatomical segmentectomy has the potential to replace lobectomy as the standard procedure for early stage non-small cell lung cancer. We investigated the safety and feasibility of robotic anatomical segmentectomy for non-small cell lung cancer.

Methods

Overall 20 patients underwent robotic anatomical segmentectomy at Hiroshima University Hospital between January 2014 and January 2018. The clinicopathological characteristics, surgical outcomes, complications and prognosis were analyzed.

Results

The median age was 68 (range 42–86) years, and 15 patients were female. Six patients were non-smokers. The most common clinical stage was IA1 (nine patients). Complex segmentectomies were performed in four patients (one right S3 segmentectomy, two right S8 segmentectomies and one left S8 + S9 segmentectomy). The median operation time was 163.5 (range, 114–314) minutes, and the median console time was 104 (range, 60–246) minutes. The median blood loss was 26.5 (range, 5–247) ml. The median resection margin and number of dissected lymph node were 15 (range, 2–60) mm and 5 (range, 1–15), respectively. Although five (25.0%) patients had grade IIIa complications (pleurodesis for prolonged air leakage) and one (5.0%) had a grade IIIb complication (reoperation for prolonged air leakage), no post-operative deaths occurred. The surgical outcomes were comparable with those of anatomical segmentectomy performed under hybrid video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery during the same period.

Conclusion

In our initial experience of robotic anatomical segmentectomy for early stage non-small cell lung cancer, the procedure seems to be safe and feasible.
Mucinous cystic neoplasms of the liver: presence of biliary communication
Authors: Rodriguez Robert M , Barrio Martin , Parker Mitch L , Saeed Omer , Sherman Stuart , Ceppa Eugene P
Published: November 2019

A 35-year-old woman was referred for a symptomatic liver mass. Diagnostic workup detected a septated cyst located centrally in the liver measuring 10 × 7 cm. The cyst had gradually increased in size from previous studies with new intrahepatic biliary dilation. Due to concern for malignancy and symptomatic presentation of the patient, a partial central hepatectomy was performed. Pathology revealed a smooth-walled, multiloculated cyst lined with mucinous epithelium and ovarian-type stroma. The diagnosis of low-grade mucinous cystic neoplasm of the liver (MCN-L) was made. Characteristics of MCN-L have not been elucidated due to its rarity.
Electoral Reform in Latin America
Authors: Alles Santiago
Published: November 2019

Electoral rules have been considerably more fluid in developing than in consolidated democracies. Latin American democracies have experimented with a wide array of electoral rules to elect presidents and legislators. Moreover, reforms have not been limited to the national level. Politicians in second-level units such as states or provinces, when not constrained by the national constitution, often played the same game. In all these cases, since institutions have partisan consequences, the chance of a reform creates incentives for strategic manipulation. A growing body of literature, heavily influenced by distributive models used to examine reforms in consolidated democracies, has provided a better understanding of how politicians in Latin America craft the rules of the electoral game. Three main areas have attracted most of the research attention. First, research on presidential elections has examined the adoption of more permissive electoral formulas and the reform of reelection rules over recent decades. Second, literature on legislative elections has devoted considerable attention to the rules shaping the proportionality of the seat allocation, as well as to the adoption of affirmative mechanisms such as quotas and reserved seats. Third, research has analyzed changes in who is allowed to vote, i.e., the extension of voting rights; and in how voters cast their votes, i.e., the adoption of new voting procedures. Though this review will be specially focused on the adoption of new rules, it will also include research showing the consequences of those reforms.
Carbapenem Treatment and Outcomes Among Patients With Culture-Positive Complicated Intra-abdominal Infections in US Hospitals: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Zilberberg Marya D , Nathanson Brian H , Ditch Kristen , Lawrence Kenneth , Olesky Melanie , Shorr Andrew F
Published: November 2019

Background

Carbapenems are a frequent firstline therapy in complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAIs). We examined the microbiology, epidemiology, and outcomes among patients hospitalized in the United States with culture-positive cIAIs in the context of their exposure to empiric carbapenem treatment (ECT).

Methods

We performed a multicenter retrospective cohort study of Premier database of ~180 hospitals, 2013–2017. Using an International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9/10-based algorithm, we identified all culture-positive adult patients hospitalized with cIAI and examined their microbiology, epidemiology, and outcomes.

Results

Among 4453 patients with cIAIs, 3771 (84.7%) had a gram-negative (GN) and 1782 (40.0%) a gram-positive organism; 1185 (26.6%) received ECT. Compared with those on non-ECT, patients on ECT were less frequently admitted from home (82.5% vs 86.0%) or emergently (76.0% vs 81.4%; P < .05 for each); E. coli were less frequent, whereas P. aeruginosa and Enterococcus spp. were more prevalent and resistance to third-generation cephalosporins (C3R; 10.1% vs 5.1%; P < .001) and carbapenems (CR; 3.6% vs 1.2%; P < .001) was more common. In adjusted analyses, ECT was associated with no rise in mortality, shorter postinfection length of stay (–0.59 days; 95% confidence interval [CI], –1.15 to –0.03), but higher postinfection costs ($3844; 95% CI, $1921 to $5767) and risk of Clostridioides difficile (odds ratio, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.02 to 4.50).

Conclusions

Among patients hospitalized with cIAI, the majority were gram-negative. Despite a 10% prevalence of C3R, fully one-quarter of all empiric regimens contained a carbapenem. ECT was a marker for slightly lower postinfection length of stay, but higher costs and risk of hospital complications.
Operative Technique and Workflow of Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery With Pre-existing Cochlear Implants
Authors: Bolier Erik , Karl Jessica A , Wiet R Mark , Borghei Alireza , Metman Leo Verhagen , Sani Sepehr
Published: November 2019

Background

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery in patients with pre-existing cochlear implants (CIs) poses various challenges. We previously reported successful magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based, microelectrode recording (MER)-guided subthalamic DBS surgery in a patient with a pre-existing CI. Other case reports have described various DBS procedures in patients with pre-existing CIs using different techniques, leading to varying issues to address. A standardized operative technique and workflow for DBS surgery in the setting of pre-existing CIs is much needed.

Objective

To provide a standardized operative technique and workflow for DBS lead placement in the setting of pre-existing CIs.

Methods

Our operative technique is MRI-based and MER-guided, following a workflow involving coordination with a neurotology team to remove and re-implant the internal magnets of the CIs in order to safely perform DBS lead placement, altogether within a 24-h time frame. Intraoperative nonverbal communication with the patient is easily possible using a computer monitor.

Results

A 65-yr old woman with a 10-yr history of craniocervical dystonia and pre-existing bilateral CIs underwent successful bilateral pallidal DBS surgery at our institution. No merging errors or difficulties in targeting globus pallidus internus were experienced. Also, inactivated CIs do not interfere with MER nor with stimulation, and intraoperative communication with the patient using a computer monitor proved feasible and satisfactory.

Conclusion

DBS procedures are safe and feasible in patients with pre-existing CIs if precautions are taken following our workflow.
Anterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery Bypasses: The 7-Bypass Framework Applied to Ischemia and Aneurysms in the Cerebellopontine Angle
Authors: Baranoski Jacob F , Przybylowski Colin J , Mascitelli Justin R , Lang Michael J , Lawton Michael T
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND

Aneurysms of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) are rare. Primary clip reconstruction of these lesions is a challenge because of the limited surgical exposure and frequent nonsaccular aneurysm morphology. Endovascular treatment options exist, but outcomes are equivalent to those for open surgery. Historically, AICA aneurysms not amenable to clipping or primary coiling have been treated with parent vessel sacrifice.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether an AICA revascularization strategy would afford for the safe treatment of AICA aneurysms and other posterior circulation pathologies without compromising perfusion of the AICA territories.

METHODS

We describe a series of AICA bypasses to treat 4 AICA aneurysms and 3 vertebral artery/AICA occlusions.

RESULTS

We used 7 types of bypasses to revascularize the AICA territory. Bypass types included extracranial-to-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass without an interpositional graft, EC-IC with an interpositional graft, in situ bypass, reanastomosis, reimplantation, intracranial-to-intracranial bypass with interpositional graft, and combination bypasses. In particular, we performed the following 7 bypasses: OA-a3 AICA, OA-RAG-a3 AICA, p3 PICA-a3 AICA, a2 AICA reanastomosis, V4 VA-a3 AICA, V3 VA-SVG-a3 AICA, and a combined OA-a3 AICA bypass and p3 PICA reanastomosis. AICA revascularization allows for the safe treatment of AICA aneurysms and other posterior circulation pathologies without compromising perfusion of the AICA territories.

CONCLUSION

All 7 AICA bypasses are feasible for application to AICA aneurysms and ischemic disease. Our experience with the 7-bypass framework demonstrates the utility of the framework as a decision-making tool and the breadth of bypass innovation possible in this anatomically challenging region.
Modal Fragmentalism
Authors: Iaquinto Samuele
Published: November 2019

In this paper, I will argue that there is a version of possibilism—inspired by the modal analogue of Kit Fine’s fragmentalism—that can be combined with a weakening of actualism. The reasons for analysing this view, which I call Modal Fragmentalism, are twofold. Firstly, it can enrich our understanding of the actualism/possibilism divide, by showing that, at least in principle, the adoption of possibilia does not correspond to an outright rejection of the actualist intuitions. Secondly, and more specifically, it can enrich our understanding of concretism, by proving that, at least in principle, the idea that objects have properties in an absolute manner is compatible with transworld identity.
The Policy Response to Declining Fertility Rates in Japan: Relying on Logic and Hope Over Evidence
Authors: SCHOPPA Leonard J
Published: November 2019

Why are women (and men) in advanced industrialized nations having fewer babies, and is there anything society can do to encourage more procreation? Over the past three decades, governments have become interested in these questions as societies squeezed between an aging baby boomer generation and a shrinking base of taxpayers have searched for ways to ‘cure’ their declining fertility problem. Social science has not identified any consistent policy solution to this problem, but that has not stopped policy entrepreneurs from presenting available evidence in ways that promote work–life balance policies as the ‘cure’. This article examines how Japan has adopted policies from this menu over the past three decades, in hopes of boosting fertility rates. The absence of a strong rebound, despite these policy changes, suggests that policy entrepreneurs have oversold childcare services and parental leave as the solution. What may be needed to increase rates, Japan’s experience suggests, are far-reaching changes in norms governing gender roles, the demands employers can make on employees, and ideas about what it means to be a ‘family’.
Using 17β‐estradiol heparin‐poloxamer thermosensitive hydrogel to enhance the endometrial regeneration and functional recovery of intrauterine adhesions in a rat model
Authors: Zhang Si‐Si , Xu Xin‐Xin , Xiang Wei‐Wei , Zhang Hui‐Heng , Lin Hui‐Long , Shen Lai‐En , Lin Qi , Lin Feng , Zhou Zhi‐Yang
Published: November 2019

Mechanical damage or infection to the endometrium can lead to the formation of adhesions in the uterine cavity, which may result in reduced reproductive outcome and/or pregnancy complications. The prognosis of this disease is poor due to few effective treatments and the complex environment of endometrium. Heparin‐Poloxamer Hydrogel (HP hydrogel) is a nontoxic and biodegradable biomaterial, which has been commonly used as a sustained‐release delivery system. In this study, we applied a mini‐endometrial curette to scrape the endometrium of rats to mimic the process of curettage in patients. After the establishment of IUA model in rats, we injected the thermo‐sensitive hydrogel(E2‐HP hydrogel) into the injured uterine cavity and evaluated the therapeutic effect of E2‐HP hydrogel on the recovery of IUA. Our results showed that E2‐HP hydrogel can significantly facilitate the regeneration of injured endometrium along with inhibiting the cell apoptosis in IUA model. Furthermore, we revealed that E2‐HP hydrogel on the recovery of IUA was closely associated with the upregulation of kisspeptin through activating the ERK1/2 and MAPKs p38 pathways. In conclusion, E2‐HP hydrogel can effectively transfer E2 into the injured endometrium and it can be considered as a promising therapeutic method for the women with intrauterine adhesions.
FIGO Classification for the Clinical Diagnosis of Placental Accreta Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Jauniaux E. , Ayres-de-Campos D. , Langhoff-Roos J. , Fox K.A. , Collins S.
Published: November 2019

(Int J Gynecol Obstet. 2019;146:20–24)

Placenta accreta has been diagnosed using the same criteria for nearly a century: a placenta adherent to the uterine wall without easy separation and/or bleeding from the placental bed, and an absence of a decidual layer/nitabuch layer between the placenta and myometrium. Evidence suggests a connection between the rising incidence of placenta accreta and the rising incidence of cesarean sections.
The International Network of Obstetric Survey Systems Study of Uterine Rupture: A Descriptive Multicountry Population-based Study
Authors: Vandenberghe G. , Bloemenkamp K. , Berlage S. , Colmorn L. , Deneux-Tharaux C. , Gissler M. , Knight M. , Langhoff-Roos J. , Lindqvist P.G. , Oberaigner W. , Van Roosmalen J. , Zwart J. , Roelens K.
Published: November 2019

(BJOG. 2019;126(3):370–381)

Complete uterine rupture is a rare delivery complication, and is connected with emergency interventions during delivery as well as potentially detrimental outcomes for both mother and child. There is an increasing occurrence of complete uterine rupture, and this trend can be attributed to an increase in trial of labor after cesarean section (TOLAC). TOLAC generally has been accepted as a clinically safe method to reduce the rate of cesarean sections (CSs) and reduce maternal morbidity associated with multiple CSs; however, care providers may be reluctant to offer TOLAC to their patients because of the uterine rupture risk. This population-based study aimed to assess the prevalence of uterine rupture in relationship to CS and TOLAC rates in 9 countries from the International Network of Obstetric Survey Systems (INOSS).
Blood Transfusion Following Intended Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Versus Elective Repeat Cesarean Section in Women With a Prior Primary Cesarean: A Population‐based Record Linkage Study
Authors: Pont S. , Austin K. , Ibiebele I. , Torvaldsen S. , Patterson J. , Ford J.
Published: November 2019

(Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2019;98:382–389)

For parturients with a previous cesarean delivery, counseling and decision-making needs to be made regarding whether to attempt a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) or undergo elective repeat cesarean section (ERCS). Many factors should be considered during the decision-making process including the likelihood of requiring blood transfusion due to postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). This is an important factor because blood transfusions after PPH have been associated with longer hospital stay, and increased risk of infection, morbidity, and mortality. This study was undertaken to ascertain blood transfusion and PPH rates related to chosen delivery method (VBAC or ERCS) for women with a prior cesarean delivery, as well as to determine the effect of the number of prior cesarean deliveries on transfusion rates.
Lower Uterine Segment Placental Thickness in Women With Abnormally Invasive Placenta
Authors: Bhide A. , Laoreti A. , Agten A.K. , Papageorghiou A. , Khalil A. , Uprichard J. , Thilaganathan B. , Chandraharan E.
Published: November 2019

(Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2019;98:95–100)

Although uncommon, abnormally invasive placentation (AIP) is associated with adverse maternal outcomes, including maternal mortality, and appears to be increasing in frequency. Maternal morbidity from AIP can be reduced when the diagnosis is known prenatally. Thus, more objective markers of AIP would be useful in establishing the diagnosis. This study aimed to determine whether increased placental thickness in the lower uterine segment could be an indicator of the presence of AIP in women with a low-lying placenta.
The Effectiveness of Applying Soft Tissue Bonding Adhesive Composed of 2-Ethyl Cyanoacrylate to Epidural Catheter Fixations Using Film Dressings: An Open-Label, Randomized, Parallel-Group Comparative Study
Authors: Tadokoro T. , Kakinohana M. , Navarro M. , Goya M. , Odo Y.
Published: November 2019

(Anesth Analg. 2019;129(1):149–154)

During a cesarean section, epidural catheters that are not adequately fixed can migrate or even fail; this failure can result in insufficient anesthesia for the patient. Although there are various fixation methods for epidural catheters, there is currently no commonly agreed upon technique. These authors conducted their study in patients having a cesarean delivery to determine if a film dressing used in combination with a surgical adhesive (Aron Alpha A) would provide superior fixation in comparison to a film dressing used independently.
Elevated Fibrinogen, von Willebrand Factor, and Factor VIII Confer Resistance to Dilutional Coagulopathy and Activated Protein C in Normal Pregnant Women
Authors: Tanaka K.A. , Bharadwaj S. , Hasan S. , Judd M. , Abuelkasem E. , Henderson R.A. , Chow J.H. , Williams B. , Mazzeffi M.A. , Crimmins S.D. , Malinow A.M.
Published: November 2019

(Br J Anaesth. 2019;122(6):751–759)

Gestational alterations to coagulation factor concentrations include elevated levels of factor (F) VII, FVIII, and von Willebrand factor (vWF) in comparison to the blood of nonpregnant (NP) reference patients. These elevated factors serve as an advantage in regards to prevention of postpartum hemorrhage. Standard treatment of obstetrical hemorrhage includes fluid replacement, transfusion, vasoactive therapy, and surgical intervention. This treatment can lead to hemodilution after hemorrhage, and consequently progressive coagulopathy, but unfortunately optimal hemostatic intervention(s) and coagulation monitoring are not yet standardized.
Optimising the Management of Late Term Pregnancies: Inconclusive Evidence and High Induction Rates Affect Quality of Care for Women
Authors: Kenyon S. , Skrybant M. , Johnston T.
Published: November 2019

(BMJ. 2019;364:1681)

Most pregnant women want clear and accurate evidence-based information to help them make decisions about their labor and delivery experience. When confronted with a “postterm” pregnancy, which poses increased risks for women and their babies, this information is especially important. A recent Cochrane systematic review reported that induction at or beyond the due date was associated with fewer perinatal deaths, neonatal admissions to intensive care, and cesarean sections but more operative vaginal births when compared with expectant management. This editorial discussed previous studies and the current study by Keulen and colleagues.