bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intravascular ultrasound of the proximal left anterior descending artery is sufficient to detect early cardiac allograft vasculopathy
Authors: Floré Vincent , Brown Adam J. , Pettit Stephen J. , West Nick E. J. , Lewis Clive , Parameshwar Jayan , Hoole Stephen P.
Published: November 2017

Objective

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) can be detected early with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), but there is limited information on the most efficient imaging protocol.

Methods

Coronary angiography and IVUS of the three coronary arteries were performed. Volumetric IVUS analysis was performed, and a Stanford grade determined for each vessel.

Results

Eighteen patients were included 18 (range 12‐24) months after transplantation. Angiographic CAV severity ranged from none (CAV0) to mild (CAV1), whereas IVUS CAV severity ranged from none (Stanford grade I) to severe (grade IV). Maximal intimal thickness measured with IVUS was significantly greater in the LAD (0.84 ± 0.48 mm) than in the LCX (0.46 ± 0.32 mm) or the RCA (0.53 ± 0.41 mm, P = .005). Diagnostic accuracy of IVUS in the left anterior descending artery was 100% (18 of 18 Stanford grades matched the patient's highest overall Stanford grade), 66% in the right coronary artery (12 of 18), and 56% in the left circumflex artery (11 of 18). The minimal required length of left anterior descending artery pullbacks to attain 100% accuracy was 36 mm (range 3‐36 mm) distal from the guide catheter ostium.

Conclusions

These data suggest that focal IVUS imaging of the proximal LAD followed by volumetric analysis may suffice when screening for transplant vasculopathy.
Parasites favour intermediate nestling mass and brood size in cliff swallows
Authors: Brown Charles R. , Brown Mary Bomberger
Published: November 2017

A challenge of life‐history theory is to explain why animal body size does not continue to increase, given various advantages of larger size. In birds, body size of nestlings and the number of nestlings produced (brood size) have occasionally been shown to be constrained by higher predation on larger nestlings and those from larger broods. Parasites also are known to have strong effects on life‐history traits in birds, but whether parasitism can be a driver for stabilizing selection on nestling body size or brood size is unknown. We studied patterns of first‐year survival in cliff swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) in western Nebraska in relation to brood size and nestling body mass in nests under natural conditions and in those in which hematophagous ectoparasites had been removed by fumigation. Birds from parasitized nests showed highest first‐year survival at the most common, intermediate brood‐size and nestling‐mass categories, but cliff swallows from nonparasitized nests had highest survival at the heaviest nestling masses and no relationship with brood size. A survival analysis suggested stabilizing selection on brood size and nestling mass in the presence (but not in the absence) of parasites. Parasites apparently favour intermediate offspring size and number in cliff swallows and produce the observed distributions of these traits, although the mechanisms are unclear. Our results emphasize the importance of parasites in life‐history evolution.
Better to be resident, larger or coloured? Experimental analysis on intraspecific aggression in the ruin lizard
Authors: Titone V. , Marsiglia F. , Mangiacotti M. , Sacchi R. , Scali S. , Zuffi M. A. L.
Published: November 2017

Territoriality evolves when the benefits gained from exclusive access to limited resources exceed the costs of defence. Sometimes animals evolve distinct morphs, that may reflect different capability, and in some territorial species of lizards the polymorphism is associated to alternative strategies, both for reproductive efficiency and territorial dominance. It is known that normally larger males are more aggressive and are able to defend a larger area and for longer than small males; in fact this dynamic is widespread in many animal species including the genusPodarcis. The aim of our study was to test which factors determine the outcome of fighting in the strongly territorial Italian ruin lizard,Podarcis siculus, using two types of contests: (1) resident versus intruder and (2) in a neutral arena. Furthermore, because these lizards are characterized by strong ventral colour variability, usually restricted to jaws and throat, we wanted to investigate if coloured lizards have higher chances at winning than white lizards. The results showed that the fight's result was significantly influenced by the state of residence, while the colour had no effect; instead, the snout to vent length difference between opponents had significant influence on the outcome in the neutral arena. Our results suggest that, in this lizard, both the size and the state of residency, no matter of colour, play an important role to determine the outcome of a fight, however, highly depending on the contest. We think thatP. siculusshould be object of future studies, focusing on behavioural and ecological aspects, even considering the occurrence of different colours within and among populations.
Vectorial status of the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus of La Réunion Island for Zika virus
Authors: VAZEILLE M. , DEHECQ J.‐S. , FAILLOUX A.‐B.
Published: November 2017

La Réunion Island has been the scene of unusually large epidemics of dengue (DENV) and chikungunya (CHIKV) viruses with Aedes albopictus Diptera, Culicidae (Skuse, 1894) as the sole vector. The emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) in 2007 and the spread of the epidemic strain of the Asian genotype through the Pacific region and the Americas, mainly via the vector Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762), has raised concern about its possible introduction to, and transmission in, Ae. albopictus‐infested areas. We performed an experimental oral infection with the Asian genotype of ZIKV in Ae. albopictus from La Réunion and found a strong midgut barrier to dissemination. This result is discussed in the light of previous vector competence assays for DENV and CHIKV performed by our team on other Ae. albopictus populations from La Réunion.
Description of the periodontal pocket in preclinical models: limitations and considerations
Authors: Donos Nikolaos , Park Jung‐Chul , Vajgel André , de Carvalho Farias Bruna , Dereka Xanthippi
Published: November 2017

Establishment of periodontal health and regeneration of the lost periodontal tissues are always the ultimate goal of periodontal treatment. The development of new therapeutic approaches raises the necessity for appropriate experimental models that present periodontal structures and healing capability comparable to humans. Preclinical research and extrapolation of the data to human conditions remains a stage of great importance before the clinical application of the new biomaterials and techniques. Periodontal pockets/defects in preclinical models can be induced experimentally through acute or chronic or a combination of both (induced) modalities. The features of the created defects and those of humans vary greatly mostly due to the nature of the periodontal disease. This is an important point to take into account, since it is well recognized that the potential of periodontal therapy may be dependent on both the biological background and the defect morphology. This review provides insight into the commonly used preclinical models for the reproduction of the periodontal pocket and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each model in terms of similarity to human conditions, standardization and reproducibility.
High Performance Computing and Analysis-Led Development of High Efficiency Dilute Opposed Piston Gasoline Engine
Authors: Banerjee Siddhartha , Naber Clayton , Willcox Michael , Finney Charles E. A. , Edwards K. Dean
Published: November 2017

Pinnacle is developing multi-cylinder 1.2 L gasoline engine for automotive applications using high performance computing (HPC) and analysis methods. Pinnacle and Oak Ridge National Laboratory executed large-scale multi-dimensional combustion analyses at the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility to thoroughly explore the design space. These HPC-led investigations show high fuel efficiency (∼46% gross indicated efficiency) may be achieved by operating with extremely high charge dilution levels of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) at a light load key drive cycle condition (2000 RPM, 3 bar BMEP), while simultaneously attaining high levels of fuel conversion efficiency and low NOx emissions. In this extremely dilute environment, the flame propagation event is supported by turbulence and bulk in-cylinder charge motion brought about by modulation of inlet port flow. This arrangement produces a load and speed adjustable amalgamation of swirl and counter-rotating tumble which provides the turbulence required to support stable low-temperature combustion (LTC). At higher load conditions, the engine may operate at more traditional combustion modes to generate competitive power.

In this paper, the numerical results from these HPC simulations are presented. Further HPC simulations and test validations are underway and will be reported in future publications.
Experimental Investigation of Water Injection Technique in Gasoline Direct Injection Engine
Authors: Miganakallu Niranjan , Naber Jeffrey D. , Rao Sandesh , Atkinson William , Barros Sam
Published: November 2017

This paper experimentally investigates the effect of water injection in the intake manifold on a naturally aspirated, single cylinder, Gasoline Direct Injection engine to determine the combustion and emissions performance with combustion knock mitigation. The endeavor of the current study is to use water injection to attain the optimum combustion phasing without knocking. Further elevated intake air temperature tests were conducted to observe the effect of water injection with respect to combustion and emissions. Experiments were carried out at medium load condition (800 kPa NIMEP, 1500 RPM) at intake air temperatures between 30–90° C in 20° C increments. Two fuels, an 87 AKI and a 93 AKI were used in this study. Baseline tests were undertaken with the high-octane fuel (93 AKI) to achieve optimal combustion phasing corresponding to Maximum Brake Torque (MBT) without water injection. Water injection was utilized for the low octane fuel to achieve combustion phasing of 8–10° ATDC and within the controlled knock limit. Combustion phasing was achieved by controlling the ignition timing, water injection quantity and timing to the knock threshold. The results showed that water injection and the resultant charge cooling mitigates combustion knock and an optimum combustion phasing based on indicated fuel conversion efficiency is achieved with a water to fuel ratio of 0.6. Water injection reduces the NOx emissions while achieving better indicated thermal efficiency compared to the baseline tests. A detailed comparison is presented on the combustion phasing, indicated thermal efficiency, burn durations, HC, NOx and PN emissions in this paper.
3D Numerical Simulations of Selective Catalytic Reduction of NOx With Detailed Surface Chemistry
Authors: Luo Zhaoyu , Sukheswalla Parvez , Drennan Scott A. , Wang Mingjie , Senecal P. K.
Published: November 2017

Environmental regulations have put stringent requirements on NOx emissions in the transportation industry, essentially requiring the use of exhaust after-treatment on diesel fueled light and heavy-duty vehicles. Urea-Water-Solution (UWS) based Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) for NOx is one the most widely adopted methods for achieving these NOx emissions requirements. Improved understanding and optimization of SCR after-treatment systems is therefore vital, and numerical investigations can be employed to facilitate this process. For this purpose, detailed and numerically accurate models are desired for in-cylinder combustion and exhaust after-treatment. The present paper reports on 3-D numerical modeling of the Urea-Water-Solution SCR system using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The entire process of Urea injection, evaporation, NH3 formation and NOx reduction is numerically investigated. The simulation makes use of a detailed kinetic surface chemistry mechanism to describe the catalytic reactions. A multi-component spray model is applied to account for the urea evaporation and decomposition process. The CFD approach also employs an automatic meshing technique using Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR) to refine the mesh in regions of high gradients. The detailed surface chemistry NOx reduction mechanism validated by Olsson et al. (2008) is applied in the SCR region. The simulations are run using both transient and steady-state CFD solvers. While transient simulations are necessary to reveal sufficient details to simulate catalytic oxidation during transient engine processes or under cyclic variations, the steady-state solver offers fast and accurate emission solutions. The simulation results are compared to available experimental data, and good agreement between experimental data and model results is observed.
Benefits of providing an acute simulated learning environment to speech pathology students: An exploratory study
Authors: Rose Tanya A , Copley Anna , Scarinci Nerina A
Published: November 2017

Introduction: Technology-enhanced simulation is being increasingly identified as a viable option for developing clinical experience and competency across all allied health disciplines. The need for simulation is being driven by increasing student numbers, reduced client hospital stays and reduced clinical educator availability. However, simulation is rarely used in existing speech pathology programmes in Australia. This study aimed to explore the impact of simulation on speech pathology students’ knowledge, experience, confidence and behaviour change when conducting a repeated initial consultation in a simulated acute-care environment.Methods: Twelve speech pathology students enrolled in the third year of a 4-year undergraduate programme took part in this embedded mixed-methods study. The study comprised two half-day simulated learning workshops, with workshops consisting of participation in one of three clinical scenarios in a simulated acute hospital setting. Students’ perceptions of their knowledge, experience and confidence were measured prior to and following the simulated experience, in addition to their actual performance being rated. Outcome measures used in this study included the Participant Perception Indicator (PPI), an observer checklist, the Satisfaction with Simulation Experience Scale (SSES) and qualitative feedback.Results: Statistically significant increases in students’ self-reported levels of knowledge, experience and confidence related to acute-care speech pathology practice were captured using the PPI. Positive behaviour change was recorded through repeated practice of the simulation scenario, and all students reported that the simulated learning experience was highly valued.Conclusion: Findings from this pilot study provide important insights into the benefits of simulated learning for speech pathology students, especially within the context of an acute-care setting.
Escaping the traps of your own hunters
Authors: Gunzer Matthias
Published: November 2017

Cleavage of extracellular DNA NETs is essential for inhibiting peripheral organ failure
Drained cavity expansion analysis with a unified state parameter model for clay and sand
Authors: Mo Pin-Qiang , Yu Hai-Sui
Published: November 2017

This paper presents an analytical solution for drained expansion in both spherical and cylindrical cavities with a unified state parameter model for clay and sand (CASM). The solution developed here provides the stress and strain fields during the expansion of a cavity from an initial to an arbitrary final radius. Small strains are assumed for the elastic region and large strains are applied to soil in the plastic region by using logarithmic strain definitions. Since its development, the unified CASM model has been demonstrated by many researchers to be able to capture the overall soil behaviour for both clay and sand under both drained and undrained loading conditions. In this study, the CASM model is used to model soil behaviour whilst a drained cavity expansion solution is developed with the aid of an auxiliary variable. This is an extension of the undrained solution presented by the authors in 2017. The parametric study investigates the effects of various model constants including the stress-state coefficient and the spacing ratio on soil stress paths and cavity expansion curves. Both London clay and Ticino sand are modelled under various initial stress conditions and initial state parameters. The newly developed analytical solution highlights the potential applications in geotechnical practice (e.g., for the interpretation of cone penetration test data) and also provides useful benchmarks for numerical simulations of cavity expansion problems in critical state soils.
SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRIAL VALUE CREATION: BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF INDUSTRY 4.0
Authors: KIEL DANIEL , MÜLLER JULIAN M. , ARNOLD CHRISTIAN , VOIGT KAI-INGO
Published: November 2017

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) poses several implications on manufacturers in terms of economic, ecological, and social aspects referring to the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) of sustainable value creation. Due to its technical core, the current research focused on its technical fundamentals, whereas the economic discussion is still in its infancy. This paper aims at painting a comprehensive and structured picture of IIoT-related economic, ecological, and social benefits and challenges. For this purpose, we employ an exploratory multiple case study approach based on semi-structured expert interviews in 46 manufacturing companies from three leading German industries. Our study contributes to the sparse body of scientific IIoT literature by analysing the IIoT’s implications according to the TBL. We show that, in order to qualify for sustainable industrial value creation, the IIoT requires an extension of the established TBL by three further dimensions, i.e., technical integration, data and information, and public context.
Lancang-Mekong River Cooperation and Trans-Boundary Water Governance: A Chinese Perspective
Authors: Xing Wei
Published: November 2017

Water is a strategic resource for life and the development of all nations, thus water security governance has been an issue of vital importance to countries, especially those which do not have guaranteed sources of potable water. The Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) mechanism, which focuses on water resources cooperation along the Lancang-Mekong River, serves as a good example. The current features of water security governance in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin indicate the necessity and importance of the LMC mechanism. Against the background of climate change and deficiency in governance capacity, all the Lancang-Mekong countries should concentrate on water security governance in the region. China, in particular, should continue to practice the Asian Security Concept in order to serve its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its vision to build a community of shared future with neighboring countries.
Impact of training state on fasting-induced regulation of adipose tissue metabolism in humans
Authors: Bertholdt Lærke , Gudiksen Anders , Stankiewicz Tomasz , Villesen Ida , Tybirk Jonas , van Hall Gerrit , Bangsbo Jens , Plomgaard Peter , Pilegaard Henriette
Published: November 2017

Recruitment of fatty acids from adipose tissue is increased during fasting. However, the molecular mechanisms behind fasting-induced metabolic regulation in human adipose tissue and the potential impact of training state in this are unknown. Therefore the aim of the present study was to investigate 1) fasting-induced regulation of lipolysis and glyceroneogenesis in human adipose tissue as well as 2) the impact of training state on basal oxidative capacity and fasting-induced metabolic regulation in human adipose tissue. Untrained [maximal oxygen uptake (V̇o2max) < 45 ml·min−1·kg−1] and trained subjects (V̇o2max> 55 ml·min−1·kg−1) fasted for 36 h, and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies were obtained 2, 12, 24, and 36 h after a standardized meal. Adipose tissue oxidative phosphorylation complexes, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH)-E1α protein as well as PDH kinase (PDK) 2, PDK4, and PDH phosphatase 2 mRNA content were higher in trained subjects than in untrained subjects. In addition, trained subjects had higher adipose tissue hormone-sensitive lipase Ser660 phosphorylation and adipose triglyceride lipase protein content as well as higher plasma free fatty acid concentration than untrained subjects during fasting. Moreover, adipose tissue PDH phosphorylation increased with fasting only in trained subjects. Taken together, trained subjects seem to possess higher basal adipose tissue oxidative capacity as well as higher capacity for regulation of lipolysis and for providing substrate for glyceroneogenesis in adipose tissue during fasting than untrained subjects.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study shows for the first time higher protein content of lipolytic enzymes and higher oxidative phosphorylation protein in adipose tissue from trained subjects than from untrained subjects during fasting. Furthermore, trained subjects had higher capacity for adipose tissue glyceroneogenesis than untrained subjects.
Adventitial Sca1+ Cells Transduced With ETV2 Are Committed to the Endothelial Fate and Improve Vascular Remodeling After Injury
Authors: Le Bras Alexandra , Yu Baoqi , Issa Bhaloo Shirin , Hong Xuechong , Zhang Zhongyi , Hu Yanhua , Xu Qingbo
Published: November 2017

Objective—

Vascular adventitial Sca1
+
(stem cell antigen-1) progenitor cells preferentially differentiate into smooth muscle cells, which contribute to vascular remodeling and neointima formation in vessel grafts. Therefore, directing the differentiation of Sca1
+
cells toward the endothelial lineage could represent a new therapeutic strategy against vascular disease.

Approach and Results—

We thus developed a fast, reproducible protocol based on the single-gene transfer of ETV2 (ETS variant 2) to differentiate Sca1
+
cells toward the endothelial fate and studied the effect of cell conversion on vascular hyperplasia in a model of endothelial injury. After ETV2 transduction, Sca1
+
adventitial cells presented a significant increase in the expression of early endothelial cell genes, including
VE-cadherin
,
Flk-1
, and
Tie2
at the mRNA and protein levels. ETV2 overexpression also induced the downregulation of a panel of smooth muscle cell and mesenchymal genes through epigenetic regulations, by decreasing the expression of DNA-modifying enzymes ten-eleven translocation dioxygenases. Adventitial Sca1
+
cells grafted on the adventitial side of wire-injured femoral arteries increased vascular wall hyperplasia compared with control arteries with no grafted cells. Arteries seeded with ETV2-transduced cells, on the contrary, showed reduced hyperplasia compared with control.

Conclusions—

These data give evidence that the genetic manipulation of vascular progenitors is a promising approach to improve vascular function after endothelial injury.
Prognostic Value of Serial Galectin‐3 Measurements in Patients With Acute Heart Failure
Authors: van Vark Laura C. , Lesman‐Leegte Ivonne , Baart Sara J. , Postmus Douwe , Pinto Yigal M. , de Boer Rudolf A. , Asselbergs Folkert W. , Wajon Elly M. C. J. , Orsel Joke G. , Boersma Eric , Hillege Hans L. , Akkerhuis K. Martijn , Nagelsmit Michiel J. , Brunner‐La Rocca Hans‐Peter , Linssen Gerard C.M. , Terpstra Willem F. , Liem Anho H. , Wardeh Alexander J. , van Miltenburg Addy J.M. , van den Bos Ewout J. , de Ridder Stijn P.J.
Published: November 2017

Background

Several clinical studies have evaluated the association between galectin‐3 levels and outcome in patients with heart failure (
HF
). However, little is known about the predictive value of repeated galectin‐3 measurements. This study evaluates the prognostic value of repeated time‐dependent galectin‐3 measurements in acute
HF
patients.

Methods and Results

In the
TRIUMPH
(Translational Initiative on Unique and Novel Strategies for Management of Patients with Heart Failure) clinical cohort study, 496 acute
HF
patients were enrolled in 14 hospitals in The Netherlands, between 2009 and 2014. Repeated blood samples (7) were drawn during 1‐year follow‐up. Associations between repeated biomarker measurements and the primary end point were assessed using a joint model. Median age was 74 years and 37% were women. The primary end point, composite of all‐cause mortality and
HF
rehospitalization, was reached in 188 patients (40%), during a median follow‐up of 325 days (interquartile range 85–401). The median baseline galectin‐3 level was 24 ng/mL (interquartile range 18–34). The mean number of galectin‐3 measurements available per patient was 4.3. After adjustment for clinical factors and N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide, there was a weak association between baseline galectin‐3 and risk of the primary end point. When repeated measurements were taken into account, the adjusted hazard ratio per 1 SD increase of the galectin‐3 level (on the log2 scale) at any time point increased to 1.67 (95% confidence interval, 1.24–2.23,
P
<0.001). After additional adjustment for repeated N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide measurements, the association remained statistically significant.

Conclusions

Repeated galectin‐3 measurements appeared to be a strong predictor of outcome in acute
HF
patients, independent of N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide. Hence, galectin‐3 may be helpful in clinical practice for prognostication and treatment monitoring.
Long-Term Effect of Pravastatin on Carotid Intima–Media Complex Thickness
Authors: Koga Masatoshi , Toyoda Kazunori , Minematsu Kazuo , Yasaka Masahiro , Nagai Yoji , Aoki Shiro , Nezu Tomohisa , Hosomi Naohisa , Kagimura Tatsuo , Origasa Hideki , Kamiyama Kenji , Suzuki Rieko , Ohtsuki Toshiho , Maruyama Hirofumi , Kitagawa Kazuo , Uchiyama Shinichiro , Matsumoto Masayasu
Published: November 2017

Background and Purpose—

The effect of statins on progression of carotid intima–media complex thickness (IMT) has been shown exclusively in nonstroke Western patients. This study aimed to determine the effect of low-dose pravastatin on carotid IMT in Japanese patients with noncardioembolic ischemic stroke.

Methods—

This is a substudy of the J-STARS trial (Japan Statin Treatment Against Recurrent Stroke), a multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel-group trial to examine whether pravastatin reduces stroke recurrence. Patients were randomized to receive pravastatin (10 mg daily, usual dose in Japan; pravastatin group) or not to receive any statins (control group). The primary outcome was IMT change of the common carotid artery for a 5-year observation period. IMT change was compared using mixed-effects models for repeated measures.

Results—

Of 864 patients registered in this substudy, 71 without baseline ultrasonography were excluded, and 388 were randomly assigned to the pravastatin group and 405 to the control group. Baseline characteristics were not significantly different, except National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores (median, 0 [interquartile range, 0–2] versus 1 [interquartile range, 0–2];
P
=0.019) between the 2 groups. Baseline IMT (mean±SD) was 0.887±0.155 mm in the pravastatin group and 0.887±0.152 mm in the control group (
P
=0.99). The annual change in the IMT at 5-year visit was significantly reduced in the pravastatin group as compared with that in the control group (0.021±0.116 versus 0.040±0.118 mm;
P
=0.010).

Conclusions—

The usual Japanese dose of pravastatin significantly reduced the progression of carotid IMT at 5 years in patients with noncardioembolic stroke.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00361530.
DWI-ASPECTS (Diffusion-Weighted Imaging–Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Scores) and DWI-FLAIR (Diffusion-Weighted Imaging–Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery) Mismatch in Thrombectomy Candidates
Authors: Fahed Robert , Lecler Augustin , Sabben Candice , Khoury Naim , Ducroux Célina , Chalumeau Vanessa , Botta Daniele , Kalsoum Erwah , Boisseau William , Duron Loïc , Cabral Dominique , Koskas Patricia , Benaïssa Azzedine , Koulakian Hasmik , Obadia Michael , Maïer Benjamin , Weisenburger-Lile David , Lapergue Bertrand , Wang Adrien , Redjem Hocine , Ciccio Gabriele , Smajda Stanislas , Desilles Jean-Philippe , Mazighi Mikaël , Ben Maacha Malek , Akkari Inès , Zuber Kevin , Blanc Raphaël , Raymond Jean , Piotin Michel
Published: November 2017

Background and Purpose—

We aimed to study the intrarater and interrater agreement of clinicians attributing DWI-ASPECTS (Diffusion-Weighted Imaging–Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Scores) and DWI-FLAIR (Diffusion-Weighted Imaging–Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery) mismatch in patients with acute ischemic stroke referred for mechanical thrombectomy.

Methods—

Eighteen raters independently scored anonymized magnetic resonance imaging scans of 30 participants from a multicentre thrombectomy trial, in 2 different reading sessions. Agreement was measured using Fleiss κ and Cohen κ statistics.

Results—

Interrater agreement for DWI-ASPECTS was slight (κ=0.17 [0.14–0.21]). Four raters (22.2%) had a substantial (or higher) intrarater agreement. Dichotomization of the DWI-ASPECTS (0–5 versus 6–10 or 0–6 versus 7–10) increased the interrater agreement to a substantial level (κ=0.62 [0.48–0.75] and 0.68 [0.55–0.79], respectively) and more raters reached a substantial (or higher) intrarater agreement (17/18 raters [94.4%]). Interrater agreement for DWI-FLAIR mismatch was moderate (κ=0.43 [0.33–0.57]); 11 raters (61.1%) reached a substantial (or higher) intrarater agreement.

Conclusions—

Agreement between clinicians assessing DWI-ASPECTS and DWI-FLAIR mismatch may not be sufficient to make repeatable clinical decisions in mechanical thrombectomy. The dichotomization of the DWI-ASPECTS (0–5 versus 0–6 or 0–6 versus 7–10) improved interrater and intrarater agreement, however, its relevance for patients selection for mechanical thrombectomy needs to be validated in a randomized trial.
Habitat heterogeneity as a local and regional-scale driver of primate assemblage structure in northernmost Brazilian Amazonia
Authors: Gadelha José Ramon , de Andrade Melo Éverton Renan , da Silva Maria Nazaré Domingos , da Silva Júnior Antonio Paulo , Filgueiras Bruno Karol Cordeiro , Mendes Pontes Antonio Rossano
Published: November 2017

We performed line transect surveys in two fishbone human settlements (defined as clearings cut through forests in a fishbone pattern, extending along secondary roads from a main road) in different vegetation types, as well as in one protected area. A total of 410 sightings of eight primate species were recorded in the three study areas. The mean total primate abundance was 3.28 groups/10 km walked, and there were significant differences between areas with different plant physiognomies. The abundance of the larger primate species Alouatta macconnelli and Ateles paniscus (Atelidae) was higher in the dense ombrophilous forests of the Entre Rios human settlement, whereas those of all the other species were higher in the forest mosaics of the Novo Paraíso human settlement and Viruá National Park. The habitat generalist Sapajus apella presented the highest abundances in all the areas. No significant differences were detected in relative biomass between study areas. Additionally, no significant differences were detected in the overall abundances or relative biomasses of the hunted species (Sapajus apella, Alouatta macconnelli, Ateles paniscus, and Chiropotes chiropotes) between study areas. Human impact has been recognized as shaping primate assemblages. However, in this study, primates were not part of the dietary repertoire of the non-Amazonian immigrants inhabiting the fishbone human settlements. Thus, although the primate assemblages varied considerably at the regional and local level, they were shaped by habitat heterogeneity, which allowed the competing species to coexist through habitat segregation.
Population structure and morphometric variation in the sand-bubbler crab Scopimera crabricauda (Brachyura: Dotillidae)
Authors: Sharifian Sana , Malekzadeh Vahid , Kamrani Ehsan , Safaie Mohsen
Published: November 2017

In the present study, population ecology and relationships between various morphometric characters of the sand-bubbler crab Scopimera crabricauda from the Persian Gulf (Iran) were studied. Crabs were collected monthly by excavating nine quadrats in high-density areas of open burrows at low, mid and high intertidal levels during spring low tides for one year. A total of 534 crabs was collected, of which 70% were males (and 30% females). Mean carapace width and total weight in both sexes showed significant differences. Crabs with a carapace width ranging from 5 to 7 mm were the dominant crabs in the population. The highest numbers of crabs were found in the higher intertidal area. The mean size of crabs decreased towards the sea. The aggregation of small crabs was found towards sea in female crabs. Juveniles were abundantly found from January to March whereas the sub-adults and adults were mostly found from April to January. The carapace length to carapace width relationship differed between males and females, as did the carapace width and carapace length to total weight relationships. Finally, the relationship between carapace width and weight for both sexes showed that the growth of this species is allometric.
Left Behind? A Critical Study of the Russian-speaking Minority Rights to Citizenship and Language in the Post-Soviet Baltic States. Lessons from Nationalising Language Policies
Authors: Alijeva Lilija
Published: November 2017

Minority rights protection is widely discussed in relation to diversity management stability within a state. Yet the case of Russian-speaking minorities in the post-Soviet Baltic States has been a challenging example to analyse because of the sensitivity of language issues. This article discusses Baltic States’ language policies that impact the Russian-speaking minority’s language rights, argued here to be the focal point for minority identity formation inclusion into society. While international law continues to be mostly silent regarding minority language rights, kin-states, in this case Russia, direct their interest towards its supposed kin-nationals abroad, which leads to rising levels of concerns for Baltic States’ governments because this interest has led to conflict in other post-Soviet states. This article argues that the situation in the Baltic States is unique, recommends amending domestic language policies to achieve effective minority integration, inclusion, accommodation, generating stable democratic rule.
A Footnote to the Composition History of Maqālāt al-islāmiyyīn: The Internal Parallels in al-Ashʿarī’s Material on the Shia
Authors: Weaver James
Published: November 2017

Abū l-Ḥasan al-Ashʿarī’s (d. 324/935-6)Maqālāt al-islāmiyyīn wa-khtilāf al-muṣallīnis our largest single source of information on earlykalām. Since the mid-twentieth century, scholars have proposed various composition histories for the work, all of which involve the claim that the presentMaqālātwas not originally conceived as a single, integral text. These composition histories are intended to account for formal features, such as the presentMaqālāt’s structural unevenness and large amounts of internal repetition, and for certain features of content, such as the apparent commitment, or absence thereof, of its different parts to the theological positions of the Traditionalists. The chronology of its composition also has a bearing on the nature of its relationship to the slightly earlierMaqālāt firaq ahl al-qiblaof Abū l-Qāsim al-Balkhī al-Kaʿbī (d. 319/931). This article, based on a detailed analysis of the internal parallels within al-Ashʿarī’s material on the Shia, examines some previously overlooked evidence relevant to theMaqālāt’s composition history.
The Environment Canada Pan and Parapan American Science Showcase Project
Authors: Joe P. , Belair S. , Bernier N.B. , Bouchet V. , Brook J. R. , Brunet D. , Burrows W. , Charland J.-P. , Dehghan A. , Driedger N. , Duhaime C. , Evans G. , Filion A.-B. , Frenette R. , de Grandpré J. , Gultepe I. , Henderson D. , Herdt A. , Hilker N. , Huang L. , Hung E. , Isaac G. , Jeong C.-H. , Johnston D. , Klaassen J. , Leroyer S. , Lin H. , MacDonald M. , MacPhee J. , Mariani Z. , Munoz T. , Reid J. , Robichaud A. , Rochon Y. , Shairsingh K. , Sills D. , Spacek L. , Stroud C. , Su Y. , Taylor N. , Vanos J. , Voogt J. , Wang J. M. , Wiechers T. , Wren S. , Yang H. , Yip T.
Published: November 2017

The Pan and Parapan American Games (PA15) are the third largest sporting event in the world and were held in Toronto in the summer of 2015 (10–26 July and 7–15 August). This was used as an opportunity to coordinate and showcase existing innovative research and development activities related to weather, air quality (AQ), and health at Environment and Climate Change Canada. New observational technologies included weather stations based on compact sensors that were augmented with black globe thermometers, two Doppler lidars, two wave buoys, a 3D lightning mapping array, two new AQ stations, and low-cost AQ and ultraviolet sensors. These were supplemented by observations from other agencies, four mobile vehicles, two mobile AQ laboratories, and two supersites with enhanced vertical profiling. High-resolution modeling for weather (250 m and 1 km), AQ (2.5 km), lake circulation (2 km), and wave models (250-m, 1-km, and 2.5-km ensembles) were run. The focus of the science, which guided the design of the observation network, was to characterize and investigate the lake breeze, which affects thunderstorm initiation, air pollutant transport, and heat stress. Experimental forecasts and nowcasts were provided by research support desks. Web portals provided access to the experimental products for other government departments, public health authorities, and PA15 decision-makers. The data have been released through the government of Canada’s Open Data Portal and as a World Meteorological Organization’s Global Atmospheric Watch Urban Research Meteorology and Environment dataset.
Caring practices among U.S. National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I female and male assistant coaches
Authors: Fisher Leslee A , Shigeno Terilyn C , Bejar Matthew P , Larsen Leslie K , Gearity Brian
Published: November 2017

The focus of the current study was on the ways that U.S. National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I female and male assistant coaches defined and implemented care with their student–athletes. Twenty-three coaches (14 female, 9 male) from nine different sports (baseball, basketball, golf, rowing, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field/cross-country, and volleyball) agreed to participate in a semi-structured interview. The data were analyzed using Consensual Qualitative Research by a team of four researchers as well as an external auditor. Results indicated that care was encompassed within 12 total categories and four major domains: (a) development of care, (b) definitions of care, (c) manifestations of care, and (d) factors influencing care. Results are presented using direct quotes from assistant coaches in the form of core ideas to highlight the domains and categories. Throughout the discussion, the findings are linked to previous research on care and the broader U.S. National Collegiate Athletic Association coaching context. In addition, directions for future research are also put forth.
Congenital Heart Defects in Nigerian Children: Preliminary Data From the National Pediatric Cardiac Registry
Authors: Ekure Ekanem N. , Bode-Thomas Fidelia , Sadoh Wilson E. , Orogade Adeola A. , Otaigbe Barbara E. , Ujunwa Fortune , Sani Usman M. , Asani Mustafa , Animasahun Adeola B. , Ogunkunle Oluwatoyin O. ,   Nigerian Pediatric Cardiology Study Group
Published: November 2017

Background:

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are common birth defects with significant impact on morbidity and mortality. We aimed to compare regional patterns of CHDs in Nigeria using a registry-based approach.

Methods:

Children with echocardiography-confirmed CHDs at 17 medical centers across the country were enrolled in a pilot National Pediatric Cardiac Registry from January to December 2014.

Results:

A total of 1,296 children (52.9% male; median age 0.9 years) with CHDs were enrolled. Patients enrolled in Northern Nigeria constituted 34.6% of the study population and were older compared to those enrolled from Southern Nigeria (2.9 ± 3.6 vs 2.4 ± 3.5 years; P = .02). Ventricular septal defects were significantly more prevalent in the North (37.4%) compared with the South (18.5%; P < .0001), while severe CHDs were more prevalent in the South ( P = .004). Of the 208 (16.0%) children who received corrective cardiac intervention, only 43 (20.7%) of them had the intervention done in country. More patients in the South received intervention compared to the North (19.02% vs 10.5%; P < .0001).

Conclusion:

This is the first prospective, registry-based, multicenter study of CHDs in Nigerian children. We demonstrate important differences between the Northern and the Southern geographical regions of the country in terms of age at diagnosis, type, and severity of lesion as well as access to cardiac surgery. The findings demonstrate the utility of a national CHDs registry for understanding clinical epidemiology of CHDs in low- and middle-income countries and its potential to serve as a basis for research and planning.
Jurisprudence: lectures
Authors: Лукомская Анастасия , Lukomskaya Anastasiya , Татьянин Дмитрий , Tat'yanin Dmitriy
Published: November 2017

Course covers the main issues of state and law, as well as leading industries of the Russian law which should be known to students and non-students of universities
Tendencia en el siglo XXI del Índice de Diferencias Normalizadas de Vegetación (NDVI) en la parte sur de la península de Baja California
Authors: Salinas-Zavala César Augusto , Martínez-Rincón Raúl Octavio , Morales-Zárate María Verónica
Published: November 2017

El uso de sensores remotos en la investigación ha permitido realizar análisis a escalas que anteriormente resultaba muy difícil llevar a cabo. En este trabajo se utilizaron imágenes de satélite tipo MODIS para analizar el comportamiento promedio y la tendencia sostenida del NDVI por pixel en la región meridional de la península de Baja California durante el periodo 2001-2015. En total se analizaron 1 377 985 pixeles, de los cuales el 67.04% mostró valores de NDVI promedio entre 0.1 y 0.3 consistentes para zonas áridas. No obstante, se observaron valores >0.5 en las porciones de mayor cobertura vegetal en zonas elevadas, y los máximos valores (>0.8) se hallaron dentro de la Reserva de la Biosfera Sierra La Laguna (RBSL), en el sur de la península. El análisis de la tendencia reveló que en esta misma zona de la RBSL, los valores de tendencia del NDVI son negativos, lo que indica pérdida del vigor de la vegetación. Valores de tendencia negativa tuvieron alta correspondencia también con las zonas de mayor densidad poblacional y mayor desarrollo turístico alrededor de la RBSL, lo que permite inferir que en toda la región sur de la península existe una fuerte presión que ocasiona cambios en el sistema. Su magnitud tendrá que ser evaluada para determinar si se trata de cambios estructurales solamente o si ya se presentan también cambios funcionales. Esperamos que este primer esfuerzo siente las bases para investigaciones futuras que coadyuven a la toma de decisiones y planes de desarrollo en la región.
The theory of measuring human capital history and the present
Authors: Sobeiko Valentyn
Published: November 2017

The manuscript should contain an abstract. The abstract should be self-contained and citation-free and should not exceed 300 words. The abstract should state the purpose, approach, results and conclusions of the paper. The author should assume that the reader has some knowledge of the subject but has not read the paper. Thus, the abstract should be intelligible and complete in it-self (no numerical refer-ences); it should not cite figures, tables, or sections of the paper. The abstract should be written using third person instead of first person.
Analysis of changes in climatological condition: a perspective from Barguna district of Bangladesh
Authors: Kormoker Tapos , Proshad Ram , Mahmud Khan Mohammed , Chandra Saha Bidhan
Published: November 2017

This study investigated the long-term changes in climatological condition, such as temperature, rainfall, humidity, storms, and tidal surge and flooding in Barguna district of Bangladesh. The BMD (Bangladesh Meteorological Department) data were used for temperature, rainfall, and humidity. The data for storms have been collected from secondary sources i.e. various journals, website and various records. This study applied the time series statistical test to examine the long-term changes in climatological condition, such as temperatures (1970-2015), rainfall (1975-2013), humidity (1975-2013), and storms (1987-2007). A parametric technique of trend analysis was used in this study for its inclusive use and simplicity. Data screening and filling missing values were also done before the analyses. The analyses of measured temperature indices that the annual average maximum and minimum mean temperature has increased 1.16Â°C and 0.56Â°C respectively at the end of 2015 since 1982 indicating that the weather has been becoming hotter. The analysis of the last 30 years rainfall data of Barguna was compared with national total annual rainfall and no significant change observed. The number of wetter days has been increasing over the time and more rainfall has been happening within small time. There is also a significant change in relative humidity. A total of thirty-five depressions, storms and cyclones hit Barguna district during the last 130 years among which hard hit severe cyclones have occurred in 1935, 1965, 1970 and the most recent cyclone SIDR in 2007 was notable. The study found that storm surge level and surge induced coastal flooding reached from the outfall of Baleshwar River up to 50 km upstream at Morrelganj with high surge level. Therefore, this study will provide a condensed view in further studies in advanced statistical modeling in combination with future scenario analysis for micro and macro scale climate variable changes in Bangladesh.
Hubungan perilaku Keluarga Sadar Gizi (KADARZI) dan Perilaku Hidup Bersih Sehat (PHBS) pada tatanan rumah tangga dengan status gizi balita usia 24-59 bulan
Authors: Hartono Hartono , Widjanarko Bagoes , EM Mexitalia Setiawati
Published: November 2017

Background: The prevalence of malnutrition among toddler in Kotabaru district was still high at 20,86 %. The family implemented Kadarzi was 56,24 % while the family who implemented PHBS was 42,48 %, this prevalence was still low. Objective: The purpose was analyzed the relationship between Kadarzi and PHBS behavior of households with nutritional status of toddler of 24-59 months.  Methods: The design was cross sectional study conducted in Puskesmas Dirgahayu. Subjects were children aged 24-59 months who lived in Puskesmas Dirgahayu area, who coverese with inclusion and exclusion criteria twose, subjects are 90 respondens. Sampling technical by simple random sampling. Analysis tests used chi square test and logistic regression with 95% confidence level. Questionnaire was used as tools research, energy and protein intake was measured by recall method.Results: The results showed 27,8 % children was categorized as malnutrition status, 72,2 % family implemented Kadarzi and 70,0 % Kadarzi behave uncategorised healthy home. Analysis of the data showed no significant relationship between Kadarzi behavior with nutritional status (p=0,000, OR=31,13). There was a significant relationship between clean and healthy behavior with nutritional status (p=0,000, OR=22,56). Analysis of multiple logistic regression test obtained dominant factor associated with nutritional status is Kadarzi behavior (p=0,000, OR=0,08). Conclusion: There was a significant relationship between Kadarzi and PHBS behavior of households with nutritional status of toddler 24-59 months.