bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced bottom-up and reduced top-down fMRI activity is related to long-lasting non-reinforced behavioral change
Authors: Botvinik-Nezer Rotem , Salomon Tom , Schonberg Tom
Published: July 2018

Behavioral change studies and interventions focus on self-control and external reinforcements as means to influence preferences. Cue-approach training (CAT) has been shown to induce preference changes lasting months following a mere association of items with a neutral cue and a speeded response, without external reinforcements. We utilized this paradigm to study preference representation and modification in the brain without external reinforcements. We scanned 36 participants with fMRI during a novel passive viewing task before, after and 30 days following CAT. We pre-registered the predictions that activity in regions related to memory, top-down attention and value processing underlie behavioral change. We found that bottom-up neural mechanisms, involving visual processing regions, were associated with immediate behavioral change, while reduced top-down parietal activity and enhanced hippocampal activity were related to the long-term change. Enhanced activity in value-related regions was found both immediately and in the long-term. Our findings suggest a novel neural mechanism of preference representation and modification. We suggest that non-reinforced change occurs initially in perceptual representation of items, which putatively lead to long-term changes in memory and top-down processes. These findings could lead to implementation of bottom-up instead of top-down targeted interventions to accomplish long-lasting behavioral change.
A crystallographic study of crystalline casts and pseudomorphs from the 3.5 Ga Dresser Formation, Pilbara Craton (Australia)
Authors: Otálora Fermin , Mazurier A. , Garcia-Ruiz J. M. , Van Kranendonk M. J. , Kotopoulou E. , El Albani A. , Garrido C. J.
Published: July 2018

Crystallography has a long history of providing knowledge and methods for applications in other disciplines. The identification of minerals using X-ray diffraction is one of the most important contributions of crystallography to earth sciences. However, when the crystal itself has been dissolved, replaced or deeply modified during the geological history of the rocks, diffraction information is not available. Instead, the morphology of the crystal cast provides the only crystallographic information on the original mineral phase and the environment of crystal growth. This article reports an investigation of crystal pseudomorphs and crystal casts found in a carbonate-chert facies from the 3.48 Ga-old Dresser Formation (Pilbara Craton, Australia), considered to host some of the oldest remnants of life. A combination of X-ray microtomography, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and crystallographic methods has been used to reveal the original phases of these Archean pseudomorphs. It is found with a high degree of confidence that the original crystals forming in Archean times were hollow aragonite, the high-temperature polymorphs of calcium carbonate, rather than other possible alternatives such as gypsum (CaSO4·2H20) and nahcolite (NaHCO3). The methodology used is described in detail.
On the quality of the continuous rotation electron diffraction data for accurate atomic structure determination of inorganic compounds
Authors: Wang Yunchen , Yang Taimin , Xu Hongyi , Zou Xiaodong , Wan Wei
Published: July 2018

The continuous rotation electron diffraction (cRED) method has the capability of providing fast three-dimensional electron diffraction data collection on existing and future transmission electron microscopes; unknown structures could be potentially solved and refined using cRED data collected from nano- and submicrometre-sized crystals. However, structure refinements of cRED data using SHELXL often lead to relatively high R1 values when compared with those refined against single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. It is therefore necessary to analyse the quality of the structural models refined against cRED data. In this work, multiple cRED data sets collected from different crystals of an oxofluoride (FeSeO3F) and a zeolite (ZSM-5) with known structures are used to assess the data consistency and quality and, more importantly, the accuracy of the structural models refined against these data sets. An evaluation of the precision and consistency of the cRED data by examination of the statistics obtained from the data processing software DIALS is presented. It is shown that, despite the high R1 values caused by dynamical scattering and other factors, the refined atomic positions obtained from the cRED data collected for different crystals are consistent with those of the reference models refined against single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The results serve as a reference for the quality of the cRED data and the achievable accuracy of the structural parameters.
Structural transformations and interfacial iron reduction in heterostructures with epitaxial layers of 3d metals and ferrimagnetic oxides
Authors: Suturin Sergey , Kaveev Andrey , Korovin Aleksandr , Fedorov Vladimir , Sawada Masahiro , Sokolov Nikolai
Published: July 2018

The present paper sheds light on the interfacial structural transformation taking place upon epitaxial growth of ferromagnetic 3d metal compounds – Co, Ni and CoFeB – on the surface of magnetically ordered iron oxides – Fe3O4, Fe2O3 and Y3Fe5O12. The reducing conditions due to the excess of neutral metal atoms at the surface cause reduction of the Fe3+ ions of the underlying iron oxide layer to the Fe2+ state and subsequent recrystallization of the subsurface region to an MeO-like rock salt crystal structure. The corresponding change of the lattice symmetry can be readily recognized by in situ high-energy electron diffraction reciprocal-space mapping and ex situ X-ray diffraction techniques. From an analysis of diffraction and X-ray absorption data a tentative model of the structural transformation is proposed, based on penetration of Me atoms into the near-surface region of the iron oxide lattice. Once a few nanometre thick oxidized layer is formed, further growth of pure metallic film with native crystal structure takes place. An important observation made is that the oxidation/reduction effects do not occur when 3d metals are deposited onto more stable MgO and Gd3Ga5O12 surfaces. This circumstance makes it appropriate to propose these materials for use as buffer layers to prevent formation of antiferromagnetic monoxide transition regions in multilayered magnetic structures. The presented results are supposed valuable for development of hybrid ferromagnetic heterostructures attractive for various spintronic applications.
Plesiotwinsversusdiperiodic twins
Authors: Nespolo Massimo
Published: July 2018

Plesiotwins and diperiodic twins have in common the fact of being characterized by a low degree of lattice restoration. Plesiotwins differ from twins by the fact that the relative orientation of the individuals is obtained by a non-crystallographic rotation about the normal to the composition plane, whereas for twins this rotation is crystallographic, apart from possible small deviations coming from metric pseudosymmetries. In the case of plesiotwins, the low degree of lattice restoration comes from a large coincidence site lattice (CSL) in the composition plane. Diperiodic twins, instead, have a small CSL in the composition plane but the second plane of the same family contributing to the overall lattice restoration is too far away from the composition plane to be considered significant. It is shown that plesiotwins can occur as reflection twins if the composition plane is not parallel to the twin plane, and as rotation twins in the case of parallel hemitropy. Diperiodic twins can in principle occur in any category, but either the metric conditions to obtain a diperiodic twin are actually in contrast with the metric pseudosymmetry required for twinning or the result is actually a hybrid twin. This justifies why no confirmed examples of diperiodic twins are known to date.
X-ray molecular orbital analysis. I. Quantum mechanical and crystallographic framework
Authors: Tanaka Kiyoaki
Published: July 2018

Molecular orbitals were obtained by X-ray molecular orbital analysis (XMO). The initial molecular orbitals (MOs) of the refinement were calculated by the ab initio self-consistent field (SCF) MO method. Well tempered basis functions were selected since they do not produce cusps at the atomic positions on the residual density maps. X-ray structure factors calculated from the MOs were fitted to observed structure factors by the least-squares method, keeping the orthonormal relationship between MOs. However, the MO coefficients correlate severely with each other, since basis functions are composed of similar Gaussian-type orbitals. Therefore, a method of selecting variables which do not correlate severely with each other in the least-squares refinement was devised. MOs were refined together with the other crystallographic parameters, although the refinement with the atomic positional parameters requires a lot of calculation time. The XMO method was applied to diformohydrazide, (NHCHO)2, without using polarization functions, and the electron-density distributions, including the maxima on the covalent bonds, were represented well. Therefore, from the viewpoint of X-ray diffraction, it is concluded that the MOs averaged by thermal vibrations of the atoms were obtained successfully by XMO analysis. The method of XMO analysis, combined with X-ray atomic orbital (AO) analysis, in principle enables one to obtain MOs or AOs without phase factors from X-ray diffraction experiments on most compounds from organic to rare earth compounds.
Primitive substitution tilings with rotational symmetries
Authors: Say-awen April Lynne D. , De Las Peñas Ma. Louise Antonette N. , Frettlöh Dirk
Published: July 2018

This work introduces the idea of symmetry order, which describes the rotational symmetry types of tilings in the hull of a given substitution. Definitions are given of the substitutions σ6 and σ7 which give rise to aperiodic primitive substitution tilings with dense tile orientations and which are invariant under six- and sevenfold rotations, respectively; the derivation of the symmetry orders of their hulls is also presented.
A group-theoretical approach to enumerating magnetoelectric and multiferroic couplings in perovskites
Authors: Senn Mark S. , Bristowe Nicholas C.
Published: July 2018

A group-theoretical approach is used to enumerate the possible couplings between magnetism and ferroelectric polarization in the parent Pm{\overline 3}m perovskite structure. It is shown that third-order magnetoelectric coupling terms must always involve magnetic ordering at theAandBsites which either transforms both as R-point or both as X-point time-odd irreducible representations (irreps). For fourth-order couplings it is demonstrated that this criterion may be relaxed allowing couplings involving irreps at X-, M- and R-points which collectively conserve crystal momentum, producing a magnetoelectric effect arising from onlyB-site magnetic order. In this case, exactly two of the three irreps entering the order parameter must be time-odd irreps and either one or all must be odd with respect to inversion symmetry. It is possible to show that the time-even irreps in this triad must transform as one of: X1+, M3,5−or R5+, corresponding toA-site cation order,A-site antipolar displacements or anion rocksalt ordering, respectively. This greatly reduces the search space for type-II multiferroic perovskites. Similar arguments are used to demonstrate how weak ferromagnetism may be engineered and a variety of schemes are proposed for coupling this to ferroelectric polarization. The approach is illustrated with density functional theory calculations on magnetoelectric couplings and, by considering the literature, suggestions are given of which avenues of research are likely to be most promising in the design of novel magnetoelectric materials.
The role of ambiances and aesthetics on millennials’ museum visiting behavior
Authors: Hyun Hyowon , Park Jungkun , Ren Tianbao , Kim Hyunjin
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish a framework for millennials’ museum visiting behaviour and to explore the moderating effects of aesthetics and ambience for visiting art museums. This study uses the Stimulus–Organism–Response (S–O–R) model (Mehrabian and Russell, 1974) in order to confirm the relationship among variables.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected using online surveys from millennial art museum visitors who had visited a museum within three months. In all, 287 responses were collected. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse the model.

Findings

Korean millennial visitors pursue hedonic value rather than utilitarian value when they visit art museums. It turns out that hedonic value accelerates visitor satisfaction and promotes visitor loyalty more than utilitarian value in the art museum setting. Both ambiance and aesthetics play stimulating roles in the art museum context and moderate the relationships among visitor-perceived value, satisfaction and loyalty. Utilitarian values are identified as unimportant elements for young Korean museumgoers.

Practical implications

Ambiance and aesthetic factors play important roles in promoting art museum visits. An art museum may elevate its atmospheric factors by emphasising the visit’s fun value (i.e. hedonic value) for millennials.

Originality/value

This study expands on previous studies concerning conceptualization of multidimensional constructs of millennials’ value for experience of arts museums in terms of aesthetics and ambiance. The results also confirm the value of the S–O–R framework in an art museum context.
An extension of Delone and McLean IS success model with self-efficacy
Authors: Aldholay Adnan , Isaac Osama , Abdullah Zaini , Abdulsalam Rasheed , Al-Shibami Ahmed Hamoud
Published: July 2018

Purpose

While many researchers have investigated the adoption and usage of online learning in different settings, one area that has yet to be examined thoroughly, particularly in the context of online learning in Yemen, is the self-efficacy role. The purpose of this paper is to extend the Delone and McLean information system success model by incorporating a self-efficacy construct as an antecedent to user satisfaction and actual usage to predict student performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaire survey method was used to collect primary data from 448 students in nine public universities in Yemen. The six constructs in the proposed model were measured using existing scales. The data analysed using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling via AMOS.

Findings

Three main results were revealed, namely that overall quality (system, information and service quality) and self-efficacy have a positive impact on user satisfaction and actual usage; that actual usage significantly predicts user satisfaction; and that both user satisfaction and actual usage have a positive impact on student performance.

Research limitations/implications

First as the study population were students from nine public universities, it excluded academics and administrative staff. Second, the study depends on self-reported measures to test the proposed research model. This is because getting objective data about the performance was not probable due to the issue of privacy.

Practical implications

The findings of this study can be a guideline for Yemeni higher education institutions to develop efficient and effective plans to improve the performance of education institutions, and train and develop student ability to use online learning. Additionally, it highlights the areas that university management needs to concentrate on, namely information systems (IS) tools that will contribute to higher student enrolment, address the lack of infrastructure and improve the quality of education outcomes, things which represent Yemen’s main challenges in the higher education sector.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the existing literature of IS by combining overall quality, self-efficacy, actual usage and user satisfaction to predict performance impact of online learning among students in nine public universities in Yemen. Furthermore, the predictive power of the proposed model has a higher ability to explain and predict performance impact compared to those obtained from some of the previous studies.
Bayesian structural equation modelling tutorial for novice management researchers
Authors: R.M. Harindranath , Jacob Jayanth
Published: July 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to popularize the Bayesian methods among novice management researchers. The paper interprets the results of Bayesian method of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), structural equation modelling (SEM), mediation and moderation analysis, with the intention that the novice researchers will apply this method in their research. The paper made an attempt in discussing various complex mathematical concepts such as Markov Chain Monte Carlo, Bayes factor, Bayesian information criterion and deviance information criterion (DIC), etc. in a lucid manner.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collected from 172 pharmaceutical sales representatives were used. The study will help the management researchers to perform Bayesian CFA, Bayesian SEM, Bayesian moderation analysis and Bayesian mediation analysis using SPSS AMOS software.

Findings

The interpretation of the results of Bayesian CFA, Bayesian SEM and Bayesian mediation analysis were discussed.

Practical implications

The management scholars are non-statisticians and are not much aware of the benefits offered by Bayesian methods. Hitherto, the management scholars use predominantly traditional SEM in validating their models empirically, and this study will give an exposure to “Bayesian statistics” that has practical advantages.

Originality/value

This is one paper, which discusses the following four concepts: Bayesian method of CFA, SEM, mediation and moderation analysis.
Prevalence and Severity of Postdialysis Fatigue Are Higher in Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis With Functional Disability
Authors: Bossola Maurizio , Di Stasio Enrico , Sirolli Vittorio , Ippoliti Fabio , Cenerelli Stefano , Monteburini Tania , Parodi Emanuele , Santarelli Stefano , Nebiolo Pier Eugenio , Bonomini Mario , Picca Anna , Calvani Riccardo , Marzetti Emanuele
Published: July 2018

The aim of the present study was to determine the intensity, duration, frequency and prevalence of postdialysis fatigue (PDF) in patients on chronic hemodialysis (PCD) with and without functional disability. Patients underwent assessment of functional ability by the Katz ADL (activity daily living) questionnaire and the Lawton and Brody scale for the instrumental activity daily living (IADL) fatigue using the SF‐36 Vitality Subscale, comorbidity through the Charlson comorbidity score index (CDI), and time of recovery after hemodialysis (TIRD). We studied 271 PCD. ADL and IADL disabilities were present in 75 (27.6%) and 168 (62%) patients, respectively. Patients with ADL disability were significantly older and showed higher CDI scores, and lower levels of serum albumin and Kt/V. Prevalence of PDF was significantly higher in patients with ADL disability as well as its severity, intensity, duration and frequency. Patients with IADL disability were significantly older, had a higher CCI score, had lower levels of serum albumin and Kt/V, and had a higher severity, intensity, duration and frequency of PDF. At multivariate regression analysis, ADL disability was positively associated with age, prevalence and severity of PDF, and dialysate temperature and inversely associated with serum albumin levels. IADL disability was instead positively associated with age and dialysate temperature and inversely associated with serum albumin levels. In conclusion, prevalence and severity of PDF are significantly higher in PCD with ADL disability than in those without it. This knowledge may have important implications for the development of interventions to reduce PDF in PCD.
Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease in Iranian General Population: A Meta‐Analysis and Systematic Review
Authors: Bouya Salehoddin , Balouchi Abbas , Rafiemanesh Hosein , Hesaraki Mehran
Published: July 2018

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of CKD in the Iranian general population. In this systematic review and meta‐analysis study, international (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google scholar) and national databases (SID, Magiran) were searched until December 30, 2017. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Hoy instrument. Out of 1170 initial studies, 9 studies with a total of 70 605 participants were included in the final stage of this study. Based on the results of the random effect method (95% CI), the overall prevalence of chronic kidney disease in 70 605 people was 15.14% (I2 = 99.77%). The prevalence of CKD in female patients (18.80%) was 1.7 times higher than in male patients (10.83). The results of the present study indicate a higher than the global average prevalence of CKD in Iran and the need for additional attention of policy makers on better planning for control and implementation of screening programs in high‐risk populations, such as patients with hypertension and diabetes.
Retrieval of an embedded suprarenal inferior vena cava filter using the Hangman technique
Authors: Clements Warren , Kassamali Rahil , Joseph Tim
Published: July 2018

Inferior vena cava filters should be ideally placed in the infrarenal caval segment to maintain renal vein outflow and thereby patency; however, in certain circumstances a suprarenal position may be required. Suprarenal filters are subject to the same risks as for infrarenal filters including tilt. While many advanced techniques have been used for infrarenal filter retrievals, there is a paucity of evidence supporting the use of these retrieval techniques in the suprarenal segment. We show a case of successful retrieval of a suprarenal filter using the Hangman technique.
Correlations between the sizes of lateral pelvic lymph nodes and metastases in rectal cancer patients treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Ishihara Soichiro , Kawai Kazushige , Tanaka Toshiaki , Hata Keisuke , Nozawa Hiroaki
Published: July 2018

Background

Lateral pelvic lymph node (LLN) dissection is suggested to improve the prognosis of rectal cancer patients; however, accurate diagnosis of LLN metastasis is challenging, especially after preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT). The aim of this study was to clarify the diagnostic value of LLN size in rectal cancer patients treated with CRT in terms of metastasis.

Methods

A total of 204 LLNs dissected from 29 rectal cancer patients treated with CRT were examined. The correlation between the resected LLN size (long and short axes) and patients’ metastasis status was examined.

Results

The long axes of metastatic LLNs were significantly longer than those of non‐metastatic LLNs (11.0 ± 5.3 versus 4.4 ± 2.8 mm, respectively; P < 0.0001) as were the short axes (8.1 ± 4.5 versus 2.3 ± 1.2 mm, respectively; P < 0.0001). Receiver operating characteristic analyses of the long and short axes indicated optimal cut‐off values of 7 and 4 mm for the prediction of pathological LLN metastasis; the area under the curve values were 0.89 and 0.96, respectively. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the long axis for the prediction of pathological metastasis were 82.4, 88.2, 82.2, 48.4 and 97.2%, respectively; those of the short axis were 91.7, 94.1, 87.1, 59.3 and 98.7%, respectively.

Conclusions

The sizes of LLNs significantly correlated with patients’ pathological statuses, and their accuracies for the prediction of pathological metastases were high. However, in contrast to the very high NPVs, the PPVs were low (approximately 50%).
The mental health of mothers and fathers during pregnancy and early parenthood after successful oocyte donation treatment: A nested case‐control study
Authors: Sälevaara Mari , Punamäki Raija‐Leena , Unkila‐Kallio Leila , Vänskä Mervi , Tulppala Maija , Tiitinen Aila
Published: July 2018

Introduction

The aim of this study was to compare the mental health problems between parents after oocyte donation treatment, after in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) with own gametes and after naturally conceiving (NC).

Material and methods

This is a prospective, longitudinal questionnaire study. The study group consisted of 26 oocyte donation mothers and their matched IVF/ICSI (n = 52) and NC (n = 52) controls. Matching was performed according to mother's age, parity, type of pregnancy, and number of returned questionnaires. The parents filled‐in the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ‐36) at gestational weeks 18‐20 (T1), and at 2 months (T2) and 12 months (T3) after the childbirth.

Results

Full response rate (T1‐T3) for oocyte donation mothers was 76.9% and for oocyte donation fathers was 73.1%. At T1, no significant differences were found between groups in depression, anxiety, sleeping difficulties, or social dysfunction, but they differed at T2 and T3 in anxiety (T2, P = .02; T3, P = .01), in sleeping difficulties (T2, P = .02; T3, P = .04) and in social dysfunction (T2, P = .01; T3, P = .04). Oocyte donation mothers showed less anxiety than NC mothers (T2, T3), and fewer sleeping difficulties and less social dysfunction than IVF/ICSI (T2, T3) and NC mothers (T2). Mental health problems of oocyte donation fathers did not differ from those of IVF/ICSI and NC control fathers at T1‐T3.

Conclusions

Oocyte donation mothers showed fewer mental health symptoms in early parenthood compared with IVF/ICSI and NC mothers. No differences were found among mothers during pregnancy and among fathers at any time point.
Children's Understanding of the Natural Numbers’ Structure
Authors: Asmuth Jennifer , Morson Emily M. , Rips Lance J.
Published: July 2018

When young children attempt to locate numbers along a number line, they show logarithmic (or other compressive) placement. For example, the distance between “5” and “10” is larger than the distance between “75” and “80.” This has often been explained by assuming that children have a logarithmically scaled mental representation of number (e.g., Berteletti, Lucangeli, Piazza, Dehaene, & Zorzi, ; Siegler & Opfer, ). However, several investigators have questioned this argument (e.g., Barth & Paladino, ; Cantlon, Cordes, Libertus, & Brannon, ; Cohen & Blanc‐Goldhammer, ). We show here that children prefer linear number lines over logarithmic lines when they do not have to deal with the meanings of individual numerals (i.e., number symbols, such as “5” or “80”). In Experiments 1 and 2, when 5‐ and 6‐year‐olds choose between number lines in a forced‐choice task, they prefer linear to logarithmic and exponential displays. However, this preference does not persist when Experiment 3 presents the same lines without reference to numbers, and children simply choose which line they like best. In Experiments 4 and 5, children position beads on a number line to indicate how the integers 1–100 are arranged. The bead placement of 4‐ and 5‐year‐olds is better fit by a linear than by a logarithmic model. We argue that previous results from the number‐line task may depend on strategies specific to the task.
The molecular structure of anionic species of 2,4,5,7‐tetranitrofluorescein as studied by electrospray ionisation, nuclear magnetic resonance and X‐ray techniques
Authors: Mchedlov‐Petrossyan Nikolay O. , Steinbach Klaus , Vodolazkaya Natalya A. , Samoylov Denis V. , Shekhovtsov Sergey V. , Omelchenko Irina V. , Shishkin Oleg V.
Published: July 2018

Among the fluorescein dyes, the behaviour of their nitro derivatives in solution is most unusual, and yet at the same time rarely studied. In this study, their 13C nuclear magnetic resonance and electrospray spectra are reported, which confirm, in concert with their ultraviolet‐visible spectra, the molecular structures of the neutral and ionic species of 2,4,5,7‐tetranitrofluorescein observed in different solvents and at various pH values. A peculiar property of this dye consists in its lactonisation of the double‐charged anion, contrary to the well‐known coloured and fluorescent dianions of fluorescein, eosin, etc. Also, this dianion‐lactone exhibits high ability for opening the pyran ring. This cleavage takes place at much lower pH values as compared with those for fluorescein and its halogen derivatives. The ruptured species can be formed as either lactone or carbinol; the latter appears as a result of the nucleophilic attack of a HO− on the central carbon atom. The corresponding molecular structures are identified via the electrospray method and X‐ray analysis. The behaviour of some other nitrofluoresceins in alkaline media is also considered.
Survival, graft function, and incidence of allograft vasculopathy in heart transplant patients receiving adverse risk profile donor hearts
Authors: Berg Katrine , Clemmensen Tor S. , Tram Else Marie , Koefoed‐Nielsen Pernille , Ilkjær Lars B. , Poulsen Steen H. , Eiskjær Hans
Published: July 2018

Aim

To clarify if use of adverse cardiovascular risk profile (ARP) grafts is associated with impaired long‐term outcomes after heart transplantation (HTx).

Methods

Survival was obtained from Scandia Transplant and a local database.

ARP donor inclusion criteria

≥55 years, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, hypoxemia‐induced death, impaired left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction. ARP donors were compared to donors not meeting the eligibility criteria. Sub‐analyses were made for donor age.

Results

In total, 302 HTxs were performed in 296 patients from 31 December 1992 to 11 August 2016. Median survival was 16.5 years (95% CI, 14.3‐22.9), there was no difference between profiles (HR 0.63 (95% CI, 0.33‐1.19), P = 0.15). LV systolic function was significantly better in ARP donors (P < 0.05). Freedom from cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) was comparable between profiles, HR 0.9 (95% CI 0.5‐1.5). Donor age predisposes to CAV (high to low age: HR 2.8 (95% CI 1.7‐4.5), P < 0.0001). Median survival was comparable in patients receiving allograft ≥55 and <55 years (HR 0.77 (95% CI 0.4‐1.4), P = 0.38).

Conclusion

Long‐term survival and graft function were excellent in patients receiving ARP grafts. Older grafts were associated with CAV but did not influence survival. Thus, the strategy of expanding availability using ARP grafts seems safe.
Thiazolidinediones and reduced risk of incident bacterial abscess in adults with type 2 diabetes: A population‐based cohort study
Authors: Wang Jiun‐Ling , Dong Yaa‐Hui , Ko Wen‐Chien , Chang Chia‐Hsuin , Wu Li‐Chiu , Chuang Lee‐Ming , Chen Pau‐Chung
Published: July 2018

Aim

Previous research has suggested that peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐gamma (PPAR‐γ) may play an important role in immunomodulation. We aimed to examine the association between thiazolidinediones, PPAR‐γ agonists and incidence of bacterial abscess among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and methods

This retrospective cohort study between 2000 and 2010 included 46 986 propensity (PS)‐matched patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. We compared the incidence of bacterial abscess, including liver and non‐liver abscesses, between patients treated with metformin plus a thiazolidinedione (M + T, N = 7831) or metformin plus a sulfonylurea (M + S, N = 39 155). Data were retrieved from a population‐based Taiwanese database. We applied Cox proportional hazard regression models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), comparing M + T and M + S after PS matching.

Results

During a median follow‐up of 4.5 years, the incidence rate of bacterial abscess was lower with M + T than with M + S treatment (1.89 vs 3.15 per 1000 person‐years) in the PS‐matched cohort. M + T was associated with a reduced risk of bacterial abscess (HRs after PS matching, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.42‐0.80 for total bacterial abscess; 0.54; 95% CI, 0.28‐1.07 for liver abscess; 0.59; 95% CI, 0.41‐0.85 for non‐liver abscess). Results did not change materially after accounting for unmeasured confounding factors using high‐dimenional PS matching and differential censoring between regimen groups. Rosiglitazone and pioglitazone, in combination with metformin, produced similar reductions in risk of all abscess outcomes.

Conclusion

We found that M + T may provide a protective benefit in reducing the incidence of bacterial abscesses. These findings merit further investigation.
Propensity‐score‐matched comparative analyses of simultaneously administered fixed‐ratio insulin glargine 100 U and lixisenatide (iGlarLixi) vs sequential administration of insulin glargine and lixisenatide in uncontrolled type 2 diabetes
Authors: Rosenstock Julio , Handelsman Yehuda , Vidal Josep , Ampudia Blasco F. Javier , Giorgino Francesco , Liu Minzhi , Perfetti Riccardo , Meier Juris J.
Published: July 2018

Aim

To conduct two exploratory analyses to compare indirectly the efficacy and safety of simultaneous administration of insulin glargine 100 U (iGlar) and the glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist (GLP‐1RA) lixisenatide (Lixi) as a single‐pen, titratable, fixed‐ratio combination (iGlarLixi [LixiLan trials]) vs sequential administration of iGlar + Lixi (GetGoal Duo trials) in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Materials and Methods

Propensity‐score matching based on baseline covariates was used to compare simultaneous iGlarLixi vs sequential combination of iGlar + Lixi with the addition of Lixi in patients who did not reach the glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) goal of <53 mmol/mol (<7%) after short‐term use of iGlar alone (LixiLan‐O vs GetGoal Duo‐1 comparison) and vs sequential addition of Lixi in uncontrolled patients after long‐term use of iGlar alone (LixiLan‐L vs GetGoal Duo‐2 comparison).

Results

In both analyses, compared with sequential iGlar + Lixi, iGlarLixi led to significantly greater HbA1c reductions with associated weight loss and significantly more patients reaching target HbA1c <53 mmol/mol despite lower insulin doses. Symptomatic hypoglycaemia rates were similar, despite greater HbA1c reductions with iGlarLixi. Lower rates of gastrointestinal adverse events were observed with iGlarLixi, probably as a result of the more gradual titration of Lixi with iGlarLixi.

Conclusions

Indirect propensity‐score‐matched exploratory comparisons suggest that early treatment with a simultaneous, titratable, fixed‐ratio combination of basal insulin and a GLP‐1RA (iGlarLixi) may be more effective and possess better gastrointestinal tolerability than a sequential approach of adding a GLP‐1RA in patients with uncontrolled T2D initiating or intensifying basal insulin therapy.
Persistence of oral antidiabetic treatment for type 2 diabetes characterized by drug class, patient characteristics and severity of renal impairment: A Japanese database analysis
Authors: Kadowaki Takashi , Sarai Nobuaki , Hirakawa Takeshi , Taki Kentaro , Iwasaki Kosuke , Urushihara Hisashi
Published: July 2018

Aim

To evaluate the persistence with oral antidiabetic drug (OAD) treatment characterized by drug class, patient characteristics and severity of renal impairment (RI) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in Japan.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective, observational study extracted data from a large‐scale hospital database (April 2008 to September 2016). Patients with T2DM aged ≥40 years on the day of their first prescription (index date) of any OAD (biguanides [BGs], thiazolidinediones [TZDs], sulphonylureas [SUs], glinides, dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 [DPP‐4] inhibitors, or α‐glucosidase inhibitors [α‐GIs]) available between January 1, 2014 and September 30, 2016 were identified. Sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors were not available at study initiation. Treatment persistence was assessed by Kaplan–Meier survival curves. Patients were also categorized by RI status using estimated glomerular filtration rate: ≥90 mL/min/1.73 m2 (G1); 60 to <90 mL/min/1.73 m2 (G2); 30 to <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (G3); and <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (G4+).

Results

We identified 206 406 index dates from 162 116 eligible patients. The largest number of index dates (91634) was observed for DPP‐4 inhibitors, followed by BGs, SUs, α‐GIs, glinides and TZDs. Treatment persistence was longest for DPP‐4 inhibitors (median 17.0 months, 95% confidence interval [CI] 16.4‐17.5) and BGs (median 17.3 months, 95% CI 16.6‐18.2), and shortest for α‐GIs (median 5.6 months, 95% CI 5.4‐5.9) and SUs (median 4.3 months, 95% CI 4.2‐4.6). Persistence was longest with DPP‐4 inhibitors at all RI stages (G1–G4+), followed by BGs at stages G1/G2.

Conclusions

The longest OAD persistence was observed for BGs and DPP‐4 inhibitors at RI stages G1/G2, and for DPP‐4 inhibitors at RI stages G3/G4+.
African school of thought: The missing ideology in finding a solution to sub‐Saharan African insecurity
Authors: Senu Oluwafemi , Daranijoh Folarin
Published: July 2018

Post‐colonial sub‐Saharan Africa continually experiences a collapse of consensual democracy as an ideology and system of governance. Poverty, greed and corruption have bred political instability, conflicts and dependence on exporting primary products. For post‐colonial Africa to feel truly independent, its adoption of consensual democracy needs to be sincere. Ideological theories, the epistemological origins of development programmes, and the philosophy of choice cherished in consensual democracy have been overlooked in current African political cultures, which habitually disregard grassroots voices. Using the Department for International Development's Research Strategy (2008–2013), the article explores how ideological functions transcend the political cultures, underdevelopment and insecurities of sub‐Saharan Africa. It is hoped that the possibility of sustainable development may be enhanced by the inclusion of an African school of thought.
The Moderating Role of Top Management Team Diversity in Strategic Change in a Multicultural Context
Authors: Díaz‐Fernández M. Carmen , González‐Rodríguez M. Rosario , Simonetti Biagio
Published: July 2018

This paper analyses the influence of corporate governance diversity on corporate strategic changes in an international multicultural context with a view to overcoming the deficiencies of previous studies. The results achieved may reveal to what extent diversity in the composition of a top management team provides a clear picture of the internal complexity that arises in the strategy decision‐making process. In order to fill the gap in the literature, and given the nested structure of the dataset, a multi‐level econometric model is applied which reveals the clear interaction effects among the TMT diversity dimensions on the corporate strategic change.
Notched fatigue testing of Inconel 718 prepared by selective laser melting
Authors: Witkin D.B. , Patel D.N. , Bean G.E.
Published: July 2018

Selective laser melting (SLM) was used to prepare notched high‐cycle fatigue test specimens made from nickel‐based superalloy Inconel 718. Samples were designed to have 1 of 3 different notch geometries, including V notches with Kt of 2.2 or 3.1, a U notch with Kt of 2.0, and were printed in either vertical or horizontal orientations. Samples were tested with as‐printed dimensions and surfaces after heat treatment, but a separate set of SLM samples were printed as plates and machined to final dimensions comporting to the V‐notch specimen with Kt = 3.1. High‐cycle fatigue testing showed that machined SLM specimens behaved similar to wrought Inconel 718 plate specimens, but testing with as‐produced surfaces led to a decrease in fatigue life. The explanation for this difference is based on approximations of linear elastic fracture mechanics solutions for short cracks emanating from notch roots, with intrinsic surface features of SLM materials serving as the cracks. Analysis of the actual notch geometries after SLM fabrication indicates that stress intensity in the presence of these features plays a prominent role in determining number of cycles before fatigue crack initiation and propagation occurs.
Hydrocarbon biomarkers preserved in carbonate veins of potentially Paleoproterozoic age, and implications for the early biosphere
Authors: Peters Carl A. , George Simon C.
Published: July 2018

Research on the early rise of oxygenic photosynthesis and eukaryotes has recently encountered a major pitfall, as some hopane and sterane biomarkers reported in Archaean rocks are the results of contamination. Following an extensive petrological framework in the Pilbara Craton, Western Australia, oil‐bearing fluid inclusions and solid bitumens were identified in replacement and hydrothermal carbonate veins cross‐cutting Archaean metasedimentary rocks. The 2.55–2.63 billion years old metasedimentary rocks were found to be depleted of indigenous biomarkers. Here we show novel biomarker results from the solvent extraction of the carbonate veins. Volcanic rock blanks, outside rinses, and instrumental blanks showed no biomarkers, and the surrounding rocks were metamorphosed to a sufficiently high extent to not yield any biomarkers, but the biomarkers found in the veins are most likely indigenous. Biomarkers detected include C21−22 ααα‐ and αββ‐steranes (pregnanes), C27−29 αββ‐steranes, C19−26 tricyclic terpanes, C29−30,34 αβ‐hopanes, C30 17α‐diahopane, and trisnorhopanes, which are in the range 2–180 pg/g. The extracted organic matter is highly mature, based on the biomarker configurations and calculated vitrinite reflectance that ranges from 2.4–3.0 (methylphenanthrene index), 1.4–1.9 (methyladamantane index), and 1.4–2.3 (methyldiamantane index). As the biomarkers are highly mature and the biomarker assemblages have a distinctive pattern to each vein type the likelihood of sample contamination by recent, less mature, biomarkers from a different assemblage is unlikely. The detection of steranes suggests that molecular oxygen was available when the veins were formed, possibly between 2.2 and 1.8 billion years ago, but no evidence for oxygenic photosynthesis in the form of cyanobacterial biomarkers has been found. Carbonate minerals that seem to better preserve biomarkers, such as concretions or veins, show the growing importance of new and exciting opportunities to seek biomarkers in the early Earth rock record, and potentially on other planets. Our results demonstrate for that first time that biomarkers can be found in veins cutting through highly metamorphosed Archaean rocks, and gives an insight into ancient environments.
Mast cells and immunoexpression of FGF‐1 and Ki‐67 in rat subcutaneous tissue following the implantation of Biodentine and MTA Angelus
Authors: da Fonseca T. S. , Silva G. F. , Guerreiro‐Tanomaru J. M. , Sasso‐Cerri E. , Tanomaru‐Filho M. , Cerri P. S.
Published: July 2018

Aim

To compare the formation of fibrous capsules around Biodentine and MTA Angelus implants as well as the participation of fibroblast growth factor‐1 (FGF‐1) and mast cells in the tissue response to these endodontic materials.

Methodology

Sixty polyethylene tubes filled with Biodentine or MTA, and empty tubes (control group) were implanted into the dorsal subcutaneous tissues of male rats. After 7, 15, 30 and 60 days, the specimens were embedded in paraffin and the number of fibroblasts and mast cells was quantified in the sections stained with Masson's trichrome or Alcian Blue, respectively. FGF‐1 and Ki‐67 were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the number of immunolabelled cells was computed. The collagen content was estimated in the picrosirius red‐stained sections. The data were subjected to two‐way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test (P ≤ 0.05).

Results

The capsules were associated with a significant increase (P < 0.0001) in the number of fibroblasts and mast cells, and in the collagen content over time. A significant decrease (P < 0.0001) in the immunoexpression of FGF‐1 and Ki‐67 was observed in all groups from the 7th–60th day. At 60 days, the number of fibroblasts (P = 0.0226) and the collagen content (P < 0.0001) were significantly greater in MTA than Biodentine specimens, while the greatest number of mast cells and FGF‐1‐immunolabelled cells was observed in Biodentine specimens (P < 0.0001). A significant difference in Ki‐67 immunoexpression was not detected between specimens of Biodentine and MTA.

Conclusions

The collagen‐rich capsule formed slowly around Biodentine in comparison with MTA. FGF‐1 and mast cells participated in capsule remodelling, stimulating fibroblast proliferation and subsequent collagen production, in response to subcutaneous implants.
Needs of individuals recovering from a first episode of mental illness: A scoping review
Authors: Davies Ellen L. , Gordon Andrea L. , Pelentsov Lemuel J. , Hooper Kenneth J. , Esterman Adrian J.
Published: July 2018

Central to the role of mental health clinicians is the assessment of needs. A number of assessment tools have been used to evaluate the needs of individuals diagnosed with a mental illness. These tools have largely been developed for people with a severe and persistent mental illness and may not be suitable for individuals who are recovering from a first episode of mental illness. The aims of this review were therefore to identify the needs experienced by individuals recovering from a first episode of mental illness; determine what tools have been used to evaluate these needs; and explore whether existing tools adequately reflect the needs described in the literature. Twenty‐one articles were included, comprising articles which identified needs (n = 10), needs assessment tools (n = 1), or articles which identified both needs and a needs assessment tool (n = 10). Results indicate that individuals who have been admitted to a specialized mental health unit and are recovering from a first episode of mental illness may experience an extensive range of needs, spanning emotional, psychological, social, informational, functional, practical, and relationship needs. Four established needs assessment tools were found to have been used to evaluate these needs; however, these do not appear to represent all needs discovered in this review, were mostly developed for populations with a long‐term mental illness, and may not be suitable for assessing the needs of individuals recovering from a first episode of mental illness following a presentation to a specialized mental health unit.
Negative pressure wound treatment with computer‐controlled irrigation/instillation decreases bacterial load in contaminated wounds and facilitates wound closure
Authors: Ludolph Ingo , Fried Frederik W , Kneppe Katharina , Arkudas Andreas , Schmitz Marweh , Horch Raymund E
Published: July 2018

Microbial wound contamination is known to be a hindrance to wound healing. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with or without irrigation is known to optimise conditions in problem wounds. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of computer‐controlled wound irrigation with NPWT on the bacterial load in contaminated wounds. A total of 267 patients were treated with NPWT with automated instillation because of problematic wounds using an antiseptic instillation solution. In 111 patients, a minimum of 4 operative procedures were necessary, and swabs were taken at least at the first and at the fourth operation in a standardised procedure. The number of different bacteria and the amount of bacteria were analysed during the course. In a subgroup of 51 patients, swabs were taken at all 4 operative procedures and analysed separately. In an overall analysis, the number of different bacteria and the amount of bacteria significantly decreased independent of wound localisation and diagnosis. NPWT with automated instillation demonstrates a positive influence in the reduction of bacterial load in problem wounds. Thus, it may help to optimise wound conditions before definite wound closure.