bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spirituality, Spiritual Well-Being, and Spiritual Coping in Advanced Heart Failure: Review of the Literature
Authors: Clark Clayton C. , Hunter Jennifer
Published: March 2018

Heart failure is a chronic and terminal disease that affects a significant portion of the U.S. population. It is marked by considerable suffering, for which palliative care has been recommended. Palliative care standards require the inclusion of spiritual care, but there is a paucity of literature supporting effective spiritual interventions for the heart failure population. A literature search resulted in 30 articles meeting the criteria for review of spirituality and spiritual coping in the heart failure population. Findings within this body of literature include descriptive evidence of the uniqueness of spirituality in this population, quantitative and qualitative approaches to inquiry, theoretical models of spiritual coping, and proposed interventions. The article concludes with implications for future research and practice.
Development of a new tool for constrained conflict resolution
Authors: Han Yun-xiang , Huang Xiao-qiong , Tang Xin-min
Published: March 2018

In this paper, the problem of finding the optimal trajectory of an aircraft through a specified airspace for a given start and goal position is put forward. The application of sequential programming to optimal trajectory generation is reported with the selection of the grid size and the space boundaries. A totally discrete approach is adopted in contrast to the other models, which use continuous time but resort to diseretization in the computation. The component of the mathematical formulation of the optimization criteria is considered and the procedures used within the control algorithm on the solution are also proposed. Realistic constraints such as turning rate and spatial layout are incorporated into the system model building before applying the sequential programming technique to be used in solving the problem. Simulation examples for multiple aircrafts are presented to demonstrate the use of the proposed trajectory planner and certain optimal control inputs have been acquired.
Influence of ankle joint plantarflexion and dorsiflexion on lateral ankle sprain: A computational study
Authors: Purevsuren Tserenchimed , Kim Kyungsoo , Batbaatar Myagmarbayar , Lee SuKyoung , Kim Yoon Hyuk
Published: March 2018

Understanding the mechanism of injury involved in lateral ankle sprain is essential to prevent injury, to establish surgical repair and reconstruction, and to plan reliable rehabilitation protocols. Most studies for lateral ankle sprain posit that ankle inversion, internal rotation, and plantarflexion are involved in the mechanism of injury. However, recent studies indicated that ankle dorsiflexion also plays an important role in the lateral ankle sprain mechanism. In this study, the contributions of ankle plantarflexion and dorsiflexion on the ankle joint were evaluated under complex combinations of internal and inversion moments. A multibody ankle joint model including 24 ligaments was developed and validated against two experimental cadaveric studies. The effects of ankle plantarflexion (up to 60°) and dorsiflexion (up to 30°) on the lateral ankle sprain mechanism under ankle inversion moment coupled with internal rotational moment were investigated using the validated model. Lateral ankle sprain injuries can occur during ankle dorsiflexion, in which the calcaneofibular ligament and anterior talofibular ligament tears may occur associated with excessive inversion and internal rotational moment, respectively. Various combinations of inversion and internal moment may lead to anterior talofibular ligament injuries at early ankle plantarflexion, while the inversion moment acts as a primary factor to tear the anterior talofibular ligament in early plantarflexion. It is better to consider inversion and internal rotation as primary factors of the lateral ankle sprain mechanism, while plantarflexion or dorsiflexion can be secondary factor. This information will help to clarify the lateral ankle sprain mechanism of injury.
Internationalization of Research: Key Considerations and Concerns
Authors: Woldegiyorgis Ayenachew A. , Proctor Douglas , de Wit Hans
Published: March 2018

The internationalization of research has increasingly become an area of focus for higher education institutions but has received less scholarly attention in the study of internationalization in higher education. Drawing on the literature, this article outlines a range of key considerations and concerns for the continued internationalization of research, first by documenting the various rationales for—and factors affecting—international research collaboration and then by examining how internationalization in research might be measured. The article documents a number of key challenges, and highlights that the internationalization of research is influenced by the complex intersection of factors relating to the individual faculty member, to their discipline, to their institution, and to a range of external factors, such as funding. The authors conclude by questioning the likely success of national and institutional strategies for greater internationalization of research, and by calling for more detailed empirical research in this area.
Guide for Drug Selection During Pregnancy and Lactation: What Pharmacists Need to Know for Current Practice
Authors: Griffin Brooke L. , Stone Rebecca H. , El-Ibiary Shareen Y. , Westberg Sarah , Shealy Kayce , Forinash Alicia , Yancey Abigail , Vest Kathleen , Karaoui Lamis R. , Rafie Sally , Horlen Cheryl , Lodise Nicole , Cieri-Hutcherson Nicole , McBane Sarah , Simonyan Anahit
Published: March 2018

Objective: To provide guidance for clinicians on risk assessment of medication use during pregnancy and lactation. Data Sources: Authors completed PubMed searches to identify articles focused on the use of medications in pregnancy, including fetal development, drug transfer across the placenta, trimester exposure, chronic conditions in pregnancy, medications in lactation, and lactation and chronic disease. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Articles were reviewed to provide overall guidance to medication selection during pregnancy. The following information was reviewed: medication use in pregnancy, including fetal development, drug transfer across the placenta, trimester exposure, chronic conditions in pregnancy, medications in lactation, and lactation and chronic disease. Data Synthesis: This article will provide an overview of medication safety considerations during pregnancy and lactation. Information was interpreted to help clinicians predict the potential risk and benefit in each patient to make an evidence-based decision. The article concludes with guidance on risk assessment and how pharmacists may support fellow health care providers and their patients when considering medication use. Conclusions: Information about the effects of medication use during reproductive periods is limited. With the removal of the Food and Drug Administration pregnancy categories, clinicians will be relying on pharmacists to aid in the appropriate selection of therapies for patients. It is critical that pharmacists keep abreast of resources available and be able to assess data to help prescribers and their patients.
ADHD Medication Use During Pregnancy and Risk for Selected Birth Defects: National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1998-2011
Authors: Anderson Kayla N. , Dutton Annelise C. , Broussard Cheryl S. , Farr Sherry L. , Lind Jennifer N. , Visser Susanna N. , Ailes Elizabeth C. , Shapira Stuart K. , Reefhuis Jennita , Tinker Sarah C.
Published: March 2018

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of, and maternal characteristics associated with, ADHD medication use before and during pregnancy, and associations between early pregnancy ADHD medication use and risk for 12 selected birth defects. Method: We used data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (1998-2011), a U.S. population–based case-control study examining risk factors for major structural birth defects. Results: There was an increase in ADHD medication use from 1998-1999 (0.2%) to 2010-2011 (0.5%; p < .001). Early pregnancy ADHD medication use was more commonly reported by mothers of infants/fetuses with gastroschisis (crude odds ratio [cOR]: 2.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.2, 6.9]), omphalocele (cOR: 4.0, 95% CI = [1.2, 13.6]), and transverse limb deficiency (cOR: 3.3, 95% CI = [1.1, 9.6]). Conclusion: ADHD medication use before and during pregnancy was rare, but the prevalence of use has increased over time. In this analysis, early pregnancy ADHD medication use was associated with three of 12 selected birth defects.
Effects of physically deposited multilayer graphene platelet and graphite on tribological performance of alumina on alumina contact
Authors: Xiao Huaping , Liu Shuhai , Han Dongxiao , Wang Deguo
Published: March 2018

Multilayer graphene platelet and expanded graphite were deposited on alumina disk surface and their effects on tribological performance of an alumina–alumina contact in different environments were evaluated using a pin-on-disk tribometer. Experimental results indicate that coefficients of friction at the contact are reduced by deposited particles due to their lubricating effect. It is interesting to find that wear of the contact in dry conditions is less than that under liquid lubrication. Tribofilm plays a key role in the wear reduction performance. In liquid media, however, formation of tribofilm is limited due to fluid flow and formed thin tribofilm is not able to protect the contact from wear. Experimental results show that formation of tribofilm is improved by both multilayer graphene platelet and expanded graphite. This is attributed to the higher adhesion force between graphene and alumina than that between alumina and alumina. The findings demonstrate that deposition of graphene-based materials onto alumina surface hold the promise of providing a new pathway to increase the anti-wear performance of alumina and possibly other ceramics.
Effect of HLA-DRB1 alleles and genetic variants on the development of neutralizing antibodies to interferon beta in the BEYOND and BENEFIT trials
Authors: Buck Dorothea , Andlauer Till FM , Igl Wilmar , Wicklein Eva-Maria , Mühlau Mark , Weber Frank , Köchert Karl , Pohl Christoph , Arnason Barry , Comi Giancarlo , Cook Stuart , Filippi Massimo , Hartung Hans-Peter , Jeffery Douglas , Kappos Ludwig , Barkhof Frederik , Edan Gilles , Freedman Mark S , Montalbán Xavier , Müller-Myhsok Bertram , Hemmer Bernhard ,   The BEYOND and BENEFIT Study Groups
Published: March 2018

Background:

Treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) with interferon β can lead to the development of antibodies directed against interferon β that interfere with treatment efficacy. Several observational studies have proposed different HLA alleles and genetic variants associated with the development of antibodies against interferon β.

Objective:

To validate the proposed genetic markers and to identify new markers.

Methods:

Associations of genetic candidate markers with antibody presence and development were examined in a post hoc analysis in 941 patients treated with interferon β-1b in the Betaferon® Efficacy Yielding Outcomes of a New Dose (BEYOND) and BEtaseron®/BEtaferon® in Newly Emerging multiple sclerosis For Initial Treatment (BENEFIT) prospective phase III trials. All patients were treated with interferon β-1b for at least 6 months. In addition, a genome-wide association study was conducted to identify new genetic variants.

Results:

We confirmed an increased risk for carriers of HLA-DRB1*04:01 (odds ratio (OR) = 3.3, p = 6.9 × 10−4) and HLA-DRB1*07:01 (OR = 1.8, p = 3.5 × 10−3) for developing neutralizing antibodies (NAbs). Several additional, previously proposed HLA alleles and genetic variants showed nominally significant associations. In the exploratory analysis, variants in the HLA region were associated with NAb development at genome-wide significance (OR = 2.6, p = 2.30 × 10−15).

Conclusion:

The contribution of HLA alleles and HLA-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to the development and titer of antibodies against interferon β was confirmed in the combined analysis of two multi-national, multi-center studies.
An overnight success a decade in the making
Authors: Dondoli Giulia
Published: March 2018

On 30 June 2016, the European Court of Human Rights (hereafter ‘European Court’) decided that a binational same-sex couple was discriminated against because they were not allowed to marry; and at the same time, they were unable to live in Italy as a couple. For nearly one decade, human rights non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have submitted third-party interventions asking the European Court to recognize that unmarried same-sex couples should be treated differently from unmarried different sex couples when the first have no possibility of marrying. This article argues that the European Court has finally accepted what the NGOs have suggested since 2007, and that the decision in Taddeucci and McCall v. Italy signals a positive step forward from the ‘analogous situation’ doctrine towards recognizing indirect discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation for same-sex couples.
Evaluating the effectiveness of Home-Start support in Dutch families
Authors: Smallegange ES , Hermanns JMA , Oort FJ
Published: March 2018

Home visiting is a widely used form of parenting support. The current study focused on the effectiveness of the home visiting volunteer parenting support programme Home-Start in the Netherlands. The Home-Start programme (intervention group) was compared to professional care as usual support (comparison group). The study focused on post-intervention changes of parental wellbeing, parenting behaviour and child problem behaviour within families with children in the age range of 1.5–3.5 years. Data were collected at the start of the interventions, at moment of support termination and at a six-month follow-up.

Findings

Eighty-six mothers from 24 Home-Start schemes were included in the intervention group (43 available at six-month follow-up) and 103 mothers from 18 care as usual sites in the comparison group (71 available at six-month follow-up). Mixed model analyses showed no or minor changes on the majority of selected outcome measures in both study groups. Significant improvements were only found for a few primary and secondary outcome measures. Additionally, there were indications of an increase in mother-reported behavioural difficulties of the children at post-test measurements, disappearing however at the six-month follow-up.

Applications

The current study showed that the volunteer programme Home-Start is an appealing intervention to families that appear to have higher needs. The study generated evidence that the results of the two types of evaluated interventions are comparable with little evidence of lasting changes.
Characterizing communication between transition-aged foster youth and their social workers
Authors: Richardson Sabrina M , Yates Tuppett M
Published: March 2018

This study examined communication between 51 transition-aged foster youth and their social workers as related to perceived relationship quality and satisfaction with care receipt/provision. Youth–worker dyads were audio-recorded during a requisite monthly meeting and completed assessments of perceived relationship quality and satisfaction with social services. Communication was rated in a 5-minute excerpt across full audio-recorded speech, verbal transcribed content, and nonverbal content-filtered tone.

Findings

Ratings of workers’ communication in transcribed content most closely reflected workers’ reported perceptions of their relationship with the youth. In turn, youth’s perceptions of the relationship and satisfaction with care were most strongly linked to the content of workers’ communication. Similarly, youth’s communication in full speech and content most closely reflected their reported perceptions of their relationship with the worker and their satisfaction with care, and workers’ perceptions of the relationship and satisfaction with care were most strongly linked to these channels of youth communication.

Applications

Findings suggest that foster youth and social workers may communicate their authentic beliefs and expectations differentially by communicative channel. Further, both communication partners appeared selectively attuned to the most authentic speaker channels. These findings can inform case planning and intervention work focused on leveraging the power of the worker–youth relationship to improve key service outcomes for foster youth.
Predictive power of grit, professor support for autonomy and learning engagement on perceived achievement within the context of a flipped classroom
Authors: Yoon Seonghye , Kim Seyoung , Kang Minjeng
Published: March 2018

Flipped learning is known to be an approach where learners take part in the learning process in a different way than in the non-flipped classroom and that in both they may deepen their knowledge and develop various competencies such as problem-solving and collaboration. Paying attention to the characteristics of flipped learning, the purpose of this study is to propose practical guidelines for the use of the flipped classroom by exploring the teaching and learning processes involved. Through a literature review, the 3 P model of teaching and learning was applied, and grit, professor support for fostering autonomy, learning engagement and perceived achievement were selected as variables for the process involved in learning via the flipped mode. In order to investigate the relationship between these variables, 121 students in a flipped classroom were surveyed. Data were analyzed by path analysis. The results showed that the support provided by the professor in terms of helping students to develop autonomy significantly predicted perceived achievement. Learning engagement mediated the relationship between grit and perceived achievement, and between the support given by the professor in terms of helping students to develop autonomy and perceived achievement. Based on the results, the specific strategies to enhance learners’ grit, their autonomy and learning engagement are discussed for the successful flipped classroom.
Port-A-Cath Catheter Embolization to Distal Pulmonary Artery Branches: Two Tailored Percutaneous Retrieval Approaches
Authors: Francisco Ana Rita G. , Duarte José , de Oliveira Eduardo Infante
Published: March 2018

Several types of intravascular devices and catheters are frequently used for long-term drug therapy, especially for oncological patients. As a result, complications are becoming increasingly common, namely catheter embolization. Retrieving these devices is important, as embolized fragments may lead to serious consequences, such as arrhythmias, myocardial injury, thrombosis, infection, and even perforation and death. We describe 2 cases of long-term drug catheter (Port-A-Cath) fracture, incidentally documented in a routine chest radiograph. In both cases, percutaneous extraction was attempted, yet the procedure was complicated by embolization of smaller fragments into the arterial pulmonary vasculature. We describe unusual approaches in successfully retrieving the remaining fragments. The ideal approaches for removal of foreign bodies from the cardiovascular system differ from case to case, but percutaneous extraction should be preferred in most of the cases. Less common techniques may be helpful in challenging cases.
Ideology and discourse in the public sphere: A critical discourse analysis of public debates at a Brazilian public university
Authors: Persson Erik , Neto Luís Moretto
Published: March 2018

Since 2013, several social actors of the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) community have formed a public sphere in order to deliberate and decide on the University Hospital’s (UH/UFSC) affiliation to the Brazilian Hospital Services Company (EBSERH), a public company set up in accordance with a private law which has been created by the Brazilian federal government in order to set up a management body for public university hospitals. Underpinned by critical discourse analysis, our purpose is to analyze the embedded ideologies in discursive practices within the UFSC/EBSERH public sphere, especially those perpetrated by the federal government’s bureaucratic means as to mystify reality, and also promote and legitimize dominant interests and actions with regard to the UH/UFSC’s affiliation to the EBSERH. We organized this analysis in five main categories: (1) staff shortage and the ideological use of the double standard policy, (2) the ideology of neo-liberalism and managerialism, (3) blame avoidance behavior and the ideological dispute between ideology and pragmatism, (4) the policy of terror and the fallacy of choice and (5) ideology of participationism.
The case of Japanese otona ‘adult’: Mediatized gender as a marketing device
Authors: Kroo Judit , Matsumoto Yoshiko
Published: March 2018

This study considers food commercials featuring the term otona, meaning ‘adult, mature person’. Although the term is not explicitly gendered, this study demonstrates that food advertising using otona becomes a conduit for the construction of gendered lifestyle formulations via consumption practices offering consumers entrance into a range of gendered adult life stage practices. Unlike the socially aspirational consumption practices described by Agha, the consumption of inexpensive otona-marked products, which cost the same as their non- otona-marked counterparts but are intended by commercial producers to be viewed by prospective consumers as more mature, is linked to the process of entering adulthood. However, whereas male performance of otona masculinity is shown in the commercials to be based on psychological maturity and economic and social independence, female performance of otona femininity is determined by the commercial producers and the product manufacturers to be based on successful performance of external beauty, sexuality and support of male social sphere members. This article shows how otona becomes a catch-all for aspirational gendered performance, arguing that terms like otona are particularly suited for normative gendered performance presentations.
Universal 2 total wrist arthroplasty: high satisfaction but high complication rates
Authors: Kennedy John W. , Ross Andrew , Wright Jonathan , Martin David J. , Bransby-Zachary Marc , MacDonald Duncan J.
Published: March 2018

The Universal 2 total wrist arthroplasty is intended to alleviate wrist pain and restore function. There is limited evidence regarding its success and safety. We report outcomes in 48 wrists of 46 patients with Universal 2 arthroplasty between 2006 and 2014. We recorded range of motion of the operated wrist, patient satisfaction, complication and revision rates, and radiological appearances of the wrists with mean follow-up of 7 years (3.5 to 11 years). We found a significant improvement in DASH scores after surgery, with active range of wrist motion being 33° flexion and 24° extension. Thirty-nine patients would undergo the procedure again if he had similar wrist problems. Twenty-three patients had loosening of at least one component of the implant. Complications were found in 13 wrists; seven underwent revision. We conclude that the Universal 2 arthroplasty produces significant improvements in DASH scores and high levels of satisfaction of the patients. However, the surgery has a high complication rate.

Level of evidence: IV
Regional differences in the mid-Victorian diet and their impact on health
Authors: Greaves Peter
Published: March 2018

Summary

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of regional diets on the health of the poor in mid-Victorian Britain. Contemporary surveys of regional diets and living condition were reviewed. This information was compared with mortality data from Britain over the same period. Although there was an overall improvement in life expectancy during the latter part of the 19th century, there were large regional differences in lifestyle, diet and mortality rates. Dietary surveys showed that the poor labouring population in isolated rural areas of England, in the mainland and islands of Scotland and in the west of Ireland enjoyed the most nutritious diets. These regions also showed the lowest mortality rates in Britain. This was not simply the result of better sanitation and less mortality from food and waterborne infections but also fewer deaths from pulmonary tuberculosis, which is typically associated with better nutrition. These more isolated regions where a peasant-style culture provided abundant locally produced cheap foodstuffs such as potatoes, vegetables, whole grains, and milk and fish, were in the process of disappearing in the face of increasing urbanisation. This was to the detriment of many rural poor during the latter half of the century. Conversely, increasing urbanisation, with its improved transport links, brought greater availability and diversity of foods to many others. It was this that that led to an improved nutrition and life expectancy for the majority in urbanising Britain, despite the detrimental effects of increasing food refinement.
Severe aquaporin 4-IgG-positive neuromyelitis optica with disseminated herpes zoster in a pregnant woman successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulin
Authors: Matsumoto Yuki , Tsuchiya Mario , Norshalena Shakespear , Kaneko Chikako , Kubo Jin , Yamamoto Teiji , Takahashi Toshiyuki , Fujihara Kazuo
Published: March 2018

A 26-year-old, 17-week pregnant woman developed aquaporin-4-IgG-positive severe longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis during the course of disseminated herpes zoster and became quadriparetic. She was unresponsive to high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone but became able to walk without assistance after intravenous immunoglobulin. One and a half months later, left optic neuritis developed but her vision improved with intravenous immunoglobulin. The only sequela was left T5 girdle sensation, and she delivered a healthy baby. Intravenous immunoglobulin may be a rescue therapy in aquaporin-4-IgG-positive neuromyelitis optica attacks in pregnant women, especially those with severe infections.
Classification-based Segmentation for Rehabilitation Exercise Monitoring
Authors: Lin Jonathan Feng-Shun , Joukov Vladimir , Kulić Dana
Published: March 2018

Introduction

Exercise segmentation, the process of isolating individual repetitions from continuous time series measurement of human motion, is key to providing online feedback to patients during rehabilitation and enables the computation of useful metrics such as joint velocity and range of motion that are otherwise difficult to measure in the clinical setting.

Methods

This paper proposes a classifier-based approach, where the motion segmentation problem is formulated as a two-class classification problem, classifying between segment and non-segment points. The proposed approach does not require domain knowledge of the exercises and generalizes to groups of participants and exercises that were not part of the training set, allowing for more robustness in clinical applications.

Results

Using only data from healthy participants for training, the proposed algorithm achieves an average segmentation accuracy of 92% on a 30-participant healthy dataset and 87% on a 44-patient rehabilitation dataset.

Conclusion

A real-time approach for segmentation of rehabilitation exercises is proposed, based on two-class classification approach. The method is validated on both healthy and rehabilitation motion datasets and generalizes to a variety of demographics and exercises not part of the training set.
Advances in nailfold capillaroscopic analysis in systemic sclerosis
Authors: Ruaro Barbara , Sulli Alberto , Smith Vanessa , Pizzorni Carmen , Paolino Sabrina , Alessandri Elisa , Trombetta Amelia Chiara , Cutolo Maurizio
Published: March 2018

Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by early and persistent microvascular impairment which leads to functional and organic manifestations, with progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Morphological and functional assessment of the peripheral microvasculature is a must, not only for diagnosis but also for the prognosis and therapeutical follow-up of systemic sclerosis patients, as reported in recent studies. Nailfold videocapillaroscopy is the validated technique for the study of scleroderma microangiopathy as it is able to detect peripheral microvascular morphology and both classify and score the capillary abnormalities into different microangiopathy patterns (‘Early’, ‘Active’ and ‘Late’). Indeed, the possibility to early diagnose and follow the microvascular changes and the safety of the technique have made nailfold videocapillaroscopy a mandatory tool for patient evaluation and included its assessment in the new systemic sclerosis classification criteria. Important links between nailfold videocapillaroscopy patterns and systemic sclerosis clinical manifestations have been described.
Signposting invisibles
Authors: Singh Nishikant , Koiri Priyanka , Shukla Sudheer Kumar
Published: March 2018

The overarching goal of this article is to sensitize the insensitive governments, institutions, and civil societies for homeless population in social sphere. Routes into homelessness are complex, multiple and interlinked. The complex triggers consist of biographical, structural and behavioural factors, when combined, increase people’s vulnerability to homelessness. Despite the high economic growth and double digit GDP growth that gives opportunity to celebrate the country’s achievement, the worsening condition of the homeless, underlaid by huge inequality, creates the huge contradiction for such celebrations. The problems and complexity associated with homelessness require several stages of prevention, intervention and system-based response for a solution. Thus, policy response requires the urgent need to move away from discussions on general welfare policies to context-specific policies; otherwise, the aspirations of sustainable development will be castles in the air.
Asthma health services utilisation before, during and after pregnancy: a population-based cohort study
Authors: To Teresa , Feldman Laura Y. , Zhu Jingqin , Gershon Andrea S.
Published: March 2018

During pregnancy, females with asthma may be at higher risk of exacerbation. The objective of this study was to determine whether females with asthma in Ontario, Canada have increased health services utilisation (HSU) during pregnancy.

Rates of asthma-specific, asthma-related and non-pregnancy-related HSU were calculated in a population-based cohort of pregnant females with asthma. Poisson regression with repeated measures was used to determine adjusted rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals of HSU during and 1 year after pregnancy, compared to the year before pregnancy.

The cohort consisted of 103 976 pregnant females with asthma. Compared to the year prior to pregnancy, hospitalisation rates per 100 person-months during pregnancy increased 30% for asthma (from 0.016 to 0.020), 24% for asthma-related conditions (from 0.012 to 0.015) and decreased 37% for non-pregnancy-related conditions (from 0.24 to 0.15). Emergency department visits for asthma and asthma-related conditions did not increase significantly during pregnancy. During pregnancy, physician office visits decreased 19% for asthma (from 2.20 to 1.79), 10% for asthma-related conditions (from 9.44 to 8.47) and increased 74% for non-pregnancy-related conditions (from 56.4 to 98.2).

Hospitalisations for asthma and asthma-related conditions increased during pregnancy, demonstrating that the overall increase in non-pregnancy-related physician office visits may not meet the primary care needs of pregnant females with asthma.
Biomarkers of carcinogenesis and tumour growth in patients with cutaneous melanoma and obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Santamaria-Martos Fernando , Benítez Ivan , Girón Cristina , Barbé Ferran , Martínez-García Miguel-Angel , Hernández Luis , Montserrat Josep M. , Nagore Eduardo , Martorell Antonio , Campos-Rodriguez Francisco , Corral Jaime , Cabriada Valentin , Abad Jorge , Mediano Olga , Troncoso Maria F. , Cano-Pumarega Irene , Fortuna Gutierrez Ana Maria , Diaz-Cambriles Trinidad , Somoza-Gonzalez Maria , Almendros Isaac , Farre Ramon , Gozal David , Sánchez-de-la-Torre Manuel
Published: March 2018

The goal of this study was to assess the relationship between the severity of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and the levels of carcinogenesis- and tumour growth-related biomarkers in patients with cutaneous melanoma.

This multicentre observational study included patients who were newly diagnosed with melanoma. The patients were classified as non-OSA (apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) 0–5 events·h−1), mild OSA (AHI 5–15 events·h−1) and moderate–severe OSA (AHI >15 events·h−1). ELISAs were performed to analyse the serum levels of hypoxia- and tumour adhesion-related biomarkers (vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin (IL)-8, intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1) and markers of tumour aggressiveness (S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B) and melanoma inhibitory activity (MIA)). A logistic model adjusted for age, sex and body mass index was fitted to each biomarker, and the AHI served as the dependent variable.

360 patients were included (52.2% male, median (interquartile range) age 55.5 (43.8–68.0) years and AHI 8.55 (2.8–19.5) events·h−1). The levels of VEGF, IL-8, ICAM-1, S100B and MIA were not related to the severity of OSA. The levels of VCAM-1 were higher in patients with OSA than those without OSA (mild OSA: odds ratio (OR) 2.07, p=0.021; moderate–severe OSA: OR 2.35, p=0.013).

In patients with cutaneous melanoma, OSA was associated with elevated circulating levels of VCAM-1 that could indicate the contribution of OSA in tumorigenesisviaintegrin-based adhesion.
Mesenchymal stem cells enhance NOX2-dependent reactive oxygen species production and bacterial killing in macrophages during sepsis
Authors: Rabani Razieh , Volchuk Allen , Jerkic Mirjana , Ormesher Lindsay , Garces-Ramirez Linda , Canton Johnathan , Masterson Claire , Gagnon Stephane , Tatham Kate C. , Marshall John , Grinstein Sergio , Laffey John G. , Szaszi Katalin , Curley Gerard F.
Published: March 2018

Human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) have been reported to produce an M2-like, alternatively activated phenotype in macrophages. In addition, MSCs mediate effective bacterial clearance in pre-clinical sepsis models. Thus, MSCs have a paradoxical antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory response that is not understood.

Here, we studied the phenotypic and functional response of monocyte-derived human macrophages to MSC exposurein vitro.

MSCs induced two distinct, coexistent phenotypes: M2-like macrophages (generally elongated morphology, CD163+, acute phagosomal acidification, low NOX2 expression and limited phagosomal superoxide production) and M1-like macrophages characterised by high levels of phagosomal superoxide production. Enhanced phagosomal reactive oxygen species production was also observed in alveolar macrophages from a rodent model of pneumonia-induced sepsis. The production of M1-like macrophages was dependent on prostaglandin E2and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. MSCs enhanced human macrophage phagocytosis of unopsonised bacteria and enhanced bacterial killing compared with untreated macrophages. Bacterial killing was significantly reduced by blockade of NOX2 using diphenyleneiodonium, suggesting that M1-like cells are primarily responsible for this effect. MSCs also enhanced phagocytosis and polarisation of M1-like macrophages derived from patients with severe sepsis.

The enhanced antimicrobial capacity (M1-like) and inflammation resolving phenotype (M2-like) may account for the paradoxical effect of these cells in sepsisin vivo.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Azoramide, a novel regulator, favors adipogenesis against osteogenesis through inhibiting the GLP-1 receptor-PKA-β-catenin pathway
Authors: Ruan Banjun , Zhu Zheng , Yan Zhao , Yang Wei , Zhai Dongsheng , Wang Li , Ye Zichen , Lu Huanyu , Xiang An , Liang Jingwei , Jiang Yinghao , Xu Chengming , Wang Zhenyu , Wei Ming , Lei Xiaoying , Cao Xiaorui , Lu Zifan
Published: March 2018

Background

The reciprocal fate decision of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to either bone or adipocytes is determined by Wnt-related signaling and the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R). Azoramide, an ER stress alleviator, was reported to have an antidiabetic effect. In this study, we investigated the function of azoramide in regulating the lineage determination of MSCs for either adipogenic or osteogenic differentiation.

Methods

In this study, microcomputed tomography and histological analysis on bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)2-induced parietal periosteum bone formation assays, C3H10T1/2 and mouse bone marrow MSC-derived bone formation and adipogenesis assays, and specific staining for bone tissue and lipid droplets were used to evaluate the role of azoramide on the lineage determination of MSC differentiation. Cells were harvested for Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and immunofluorescence staining was used to explore the potential mechanism of azoramide for regulating MSC differentiation.

Results

Based on MSC-derived bone formation assays both in vivo and in vitro, azoramide treatment displayed a cell fate determining ability in favor of adipogenesis over osteogenesis. Further mechanistic characterizations disclosed that both the GLP-1R agonist peptide exendin-4 (Ex-4) and GLP-1R small interfering (si)RNA abrogated azoramide dual effects. Moreover, cAMP-protein kinase A (PKA)-mediated nuclear β-catenin activity was responsible for the negative function of azoramide on bone formation in favor of adipogenesis.

Conclusions

These data provide the first evidence to show that azoramide may serve as an antagonist against GLP-1R in MSC lineage determination.
Interval-Q estimation and compensation: An adaptive dictionary-learning approach
Authors: Aghamiry Hossein S. , Gholami Ali
Published: March 2018

A seismic trace corresponding to an anelastic layered earth model can be sparsely represented by a structured dictionary of properly attenuated wavelets, through a nonstationary sparse deconvolution. The sparseness of the coefficients (reflectivity series), however, considerably decreases when the wavelets are incorrectly modeled due to an incorrect [Formula: see text] model. Mathematically, the wavelets, as the elements of the dictionary, are nonlinearly related to the earth quality factor [Formula: see text] (the inverse of the attenuation coefficient). A parametric dictionary-learning strategy enables interval-[Formula: see text] estimation and compensation by training the dictionary atoms from the input trace adaptively to provide a sparse representation of it. We assumed a piecewise [Formula: see text] model by dividing the dictionary elements into several groups, each containing several wavelets whose temporal supports are close to each other and can be described by a single [Formula: see text]-value. The dictionary is learned iteratively where at each iteration only one group of the wavelets is optimized by searching for the corresponding optimum [Formula: see text]-value, leading to an iterative construction of the [Formula: see text] model. The main advantages of our method for interval-[Formula: see text] estimation are its stability because it performs in a forward-modeling manner and its accuracy because of the resolved interferences by the sparsity constraint. Our method is tested on synthetic and field data sets, and the results that we obtained demonstrate the stability and accuracy of the method for interval-[Formula: see text] estimation and compensation.
Benchmarking earthquake location algorithms: A synthetic comparison
Authors: Wuestefeld Andreas , Greve Sonja M. , Näsholm Sven Peter , Oye Volker
Published: March 2018

A priori assessment of the expected location accuracy of a sensor network is typically done through inversion of the traveltime spatial gradients. This approach assumes that the applied location algorithm successfully recovers the global minimum of the objective function. However, even for accurate and precise phase picks, complexity in the velocity model and limitations in the network layout may inhibit the finding of a global minimum. The location algorithms may end up in a local minimum instead. We compare the location performance of various objective functions and minimization approaches. Although most of the analyzed location approaches mostly lead to good location results, none of the analyzed approaches recovered the correct location for all event locations. This implies that (microseismic) event locations estimates include an additional inherent error, which is linked to the applied location approach. This aspect is often neglected when interpreting event locations. Our site comprises a sensor network of two vertical strings, in a 1D velocity model of the Groningen gas field (The Netherlands), complicated by two thin, very high-velocity layers. For a series of synthetic event locations, we calculate arrival times, add picking errors, and then feed these synthetic picks into a set of different location routines. We also determine a novel way to analyze this approach-dependent location error of the sensor network for the given velocity model and a set of event locations: We compare the distances between a set of assumed event locations to resulting locations in the target region of the subsurface. From the cumulative distribution function of that mislocation distance, we determine the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] confidence distances for each method. This results in scalar values representing the location confidence distances for a given method. In turn, this can be used to easily compare the location capabilities of different sensor layouts.
Improving estimates of buried pipe diameter and infilling material from ground-penetrating radar profiles with full-waveform inversion
Authors: Jazayeri Sajad , Klotzsche Anja , Kruse Sarah
Published: March 2018

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is a widely used tool for the detection and location of buried utilities. Buried pipes generate characteristic diffraction hyperbolas in raw GPR data. Current methods for analyzing the shapes and timing of the diffraction hyperbolas are very effective for locating pipes, but they are less effective for determining the diameter of the pipes, particularly when the pipes are smaller than the radar wavelengths, typically a few tens of centimeters. A full-waveform inversion (FWI) method is described for improving estimates of the diameter of a pipe and confirming the infilling material (air/water/etc.) for the simple case of an isolated diffraction hyperbola on a profile run perpendicular to a pipe with antennas in broadside mode (parallel to the pipe). The technique described here can improve a good initial guess of the pipe diameter (within 30%–50% of the true value) to a better estimate (less than approximately 8% misfit). This method is developed by combining two freely available software packages with a deconvolution method for GPR effective source wavelet estimation. The FWI process is run with the PEST algorithm (model-independent parameter estimation and uncertainty analysis). PEST iteratively calls the gprMax software package for forward modeling of the GPR signal as the model for the pipe and surrounding soil is refined.
Pitfalls in using example seismic images
Authors: Herron Donald
Published: March 2018

Pitfalls associated with using example seismic images in industry publications and presentations are more common than one might think. I have evaluated cases that illustrate two pitfalls of this kind: assuming the technical validity of an interpreted seismic image and assuming the nature and composition of a previously published seismic image.
Passionate and Pious
Authors: Moultrie Monique
Published: March 2018

In Passionate and Pious Monique Moultrie explores the impact of faith-based sexual ministries on black women's sexual agency to trace how these women navigate sexuality, religious authority, and their spiritual walk with God. Providing churchwomen a space to candidly discuss these issues, these popular ministries exist largely beyond the traditional church, with dialogues about sex taking place in chat rooms and through text messages, social media, email, and other media. Moultrie foregrounds televangelist Juanita Bynum's construction of the black Christian sexual identity these ministries promote while emphasizing how churchwomen reconcile these prescriptive identities with their individual experiences. What does it mean for senior women to exercise sexual agency when their church standing could be questioned? What does celibacy mean for women who experience same-sex desire while believing that such desire goes against God's will? Advancing a womanist sexual ethics, Moultrie reframes biblical interpretations and conceptions of what constitutes a healthy relationship to provide a basis for sexual decision making that does not privilege monogamy or deny female pleasure, thereby calling on black churchwomen to experience responsible and life-enhancing sex.
Unconsolable Contemporary
Authors: Rabinow Paul
Published: March 2018

In Unconsolable Contemporary Paul Rabinow continues his explorations of "a philosophic anthropology of the contemporary." Defining the contemporary as a moving ratio in which the modern becomes historical, Rabinow shows how an anthropological ethos of the contemporary can be realized by drawing on the work of art historians, cultural critics, social theorists, and others, thereby inventing a methodology he calls anthropological assemblage. He focuses on the work and persona of German painter Gerhard Richter, demonstrating how reflecting on Richter's work provides rich insights into the practices and stylization of what, following Aby Warburg, one might call "the afterlife of the modern." Rabinow opens with analyses of Richter's recent Birkenau exhibit: both the artwork and its critical framing. He then chronicles Richter's experiments in image-making as well as his subtle inclusion of art historical and critical discourses about the modern. This, Rabinow contends, enables Richter to signal his awareness of the stakes of such theorizing while refusing the positioning of his work by modernist critical theorists. In this innovative work, Rabinow elucidates the ways meaning is created within the contemporary.
Instructed-Assembly (iA): A Molecular Process for Controlling Cell Fate
Authors: He Hongjian , Xu Bing
Published: March 2018

Instructed-assembly (iAssembly or iA) refers to the formation of ordered superstructures of molecules as the consequence of at least one trigger event (e.g., a reaction or a ligand-receptor interaction). As a biomimetic process that transforms from an equilibrium to another equilibrium, iA is emerging as a powerful approach to provide spatiotemporal control for a range of potential biomedical applications, including molecular imaging, cancer therapy, and tissue engineering. This account introduces the general concept of iA in the context of cells and illustrates how to achieve iA for applications. By mainly describing the representative examples of iA and its applications in complex environments, such as cells or animals, and providing the perspectives of the future development of iA, we intend to show that, as a process that bridges self-assembly and self-organization, iA offers chemists a facile means to explore the emergent properties of molecular assemblies and the dynamics of molecular processes to control cell fate. Particularly, iA promises many wonderful surprises and useful applications in physical and/or life sciences when multiple processes (e.g., self-assembly, instructed-assembly, and self-organization) are taking place simultaneously.