bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment and Benchmarking of Spatially Enabled RDF Stores for the Next Generation of Spatial Data Infrastructure
Authors: Huang Weiming , Raza Syed Amir , Mirzov Oleg , Harrie Lars
Published: July 2019

Geospatial information is indispensable for various real-world applications and is thus a prominent part of today’s data science landscape. Geospatial data is primarily maintained and disseminated through spatial data infrastructures (SDIs). However, current SDIs are facing challenges in terms of data integration and semantic heterogeneity because of their partially siloed data organization. In this context, linked data provides a promising means to unravel these challenges, and it is seen as one of the key factors moving SDIs toward the next generation. In this study, we investigate the technical environment of the support for geospatial linked data by assessing and benchmarking some popular and well-known spatially enabled RDF stores (RDF4J, GeoSPARQL-Jena, Virtuoso, Stardog, and GraphDB), with a focus on GeoSPARQL compliance and query performance. The tests were performed in two different scenarios. In the first scenario, geospatial data forms a part of a large-scale data infrastructure and is integrated with other types of data. In this scenario, we used ICOS Carbon Portal’s metadata—a real-world Earth Science linked data infrastructure. In the second scenario, we benchmarked the RDF stores in a dedicated SDI environment that contains purely geospatial data, and we used geospatial datasets with both crowd-sourced and authoritative data (the same test data used in a previous benchmark study, the Geographica benchmark). The assessment and benchmarking results demonstrate that the GeoSPARQL compliance of the RDF stores has encouragingly advanced in the last several years. The query performances are generally acceptable, and spatial indexing is imperative when handling a large number of geospatial objects. Nevertheless, query correctness remains a challenge for cross-database interoperability. In conclusion, the results indicate that the spatial capacity of the RDF stores has become increasingly mature, which could benefit the development of future SDIs.
Identifying Alternative Wetting and Drying (AWD) Adoption in the Vietnamese Mekong River Delta: A Change Detection Approach
Authors: Lovell Robin J.
Published: July 2019

Alternative wetting and drying (AWD) is an increasingly popular water-saving practice in rice production in the Vietnamese Mekong River Delta, especially considering the impact of projected climate change and reduced water availability. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to determine adoption without deploying thousands of costly household surveys. This research used European Space Agency Sentinel-1a and 1b radar data, combined with in-situ moisture readings, to determine AWD adoption through change detection of a time series wetness index (WI). By using a beta coefficient of the radar data, the WI avoided the pitfalls of cloud cover, surface roughness, and vegetative interference that arise from the sigma coefficient data. The analysis illustrated an AWD adoption likelihood scale across the delta and it showed potential for the use of remotely sensed data to detect adoption. Trends across the Vietnamese delta showed higher adoption rates inland, with lower adoption of AWD in the coastal provinces. These results were supported by a simultaneous effort to collect household level adoption data as part of the same project. However, correlation between the WI values and in situ soil moisture meter readings were most accurate in alluvial soils, illustrating a particularly strong relationship between soil type and WI model robustness. The research suggests that future change detection efforts should focus on retrieving a multi-season dataset and employing a power density analysis on the time series data to fully understand the periodicity of dry down patterns.
FLIGBY—A Serious Game Tool to Enhance Motivation and Competencies in Entrepreneurship
Authors: Buzady Zoltan , Almeida Fernando
Published: July 2019

Entrepreneurship is currently one of the most fundamental economic activities in the 21st century. Entrepreneurship encourages young generations to generate their self-employment and develop key soft-skills that will be useful throughout their professional career. This study aims to present and explore a case study of a higher education institution that adopts FLIGBY as a serious game, which allows students to develop entrepreneurship skills in an immersive way and based on real challenges that can be found in business environments. The findings indicate that FLIGBY offers relevant potentials and new possibilities in the development of management, leadership, and entrepreneurship skills. Furthermore, the game allows the inclusion of summative and formative assessment elements, which are essential in the process of monitoring and analyzing the student’s performance.
Local and Landscape Effects to Biological Controls in Urban Agriculture—A Review
Authors: Arnold Joshua E. , Egerer Monika , Daane Kent M.
Published: July 2019

Urban agriculture is widely practiced throughout the world. Urban agriculture practitioners have diverse motivations and circumstances, but one problem is ubiquitous across all regions: insect pests. Many urban farmers and gardeners either choose to, or are required to forego, the use of chemical controls for pest outbreaks because of costs, overspray in populated areas, public health, and environmental concerns. An alternative form of pest control is conservation biological control (CBC)—a form of ecological pest management—that can reduce the severity of pest outbreaks and crop damage. Urban farmers relying on CBC often assume that diversification practices similar to those used in rural farms may reduce insect pest populations and increase populations of beneficial insects, yet these management practices may be inappropriate for applications in fragmented urban environments. In this review, we assess urban CBC research and provide a synthesis for urban agriculture practitioners. Our findings indicate that local and landscape factors differentially affect insect pests and beneficial arthropods across the reviewed studies, and we identify several on-farm practices that can be implemented to increase biological control in urban agriculture.
Hydrogen Sulfide as a Toxic Product in the Small–Large Intestine Axis and its Role in IBD Development
Authors: Kushkevych Ivan , Dordević Dani , Kollar Peter , Vítězová Monika , Drago Lorenzo
Published: July 2019

The small–large intestine axis in hydrogen sulfide accumulation and testing of sulfate and lactate in the gut–gut axis of the intestinal environment has not been well described. Sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) of the Desulfovibrio genus reduce sulfate to hydrogen sulfide and can be involved in ulcerative colitis development. The background of the research was to find correlations between hydrogen sulfide production under the effect of an electron acceptor (sulfate) and donor (lactate) at different concentrations and Desulfovibrio piger Vib-7 growth, as well as their dissimilatory sulfate reduction in the intestinal small–large intestinal environment. Methods: Microbiological, biochemical, and biophysical methods, and statistical processing of the results (principal component and cross-correlation analyses) were used. Results: D. piger Vib-7 showed increased intensity of bacterial growth and hydrogen sulfide production under the following concentrations of sulfate and lactate: 17.4 mM and 35.6 mM, respectively. The study showed in what kind of intestinal environment D. piger Vib-7 grows at the highest level and produces the highest amount of hydrogen sulfide. Conclusions: The optimum intestinal environment of D. piger Vib-7 can serve as a good indicator of the occurrence of inflammatory bowel diseases; meaning that these findings can be broadly used in medicine practice dealing with the monitoring and diagnosis of intestinal ailments.
Intravesical Chemotherapy after Radical Nephroureterectomy for Primary Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yoo Sang Hyun , Jeong Chang Wook , Kwak Cheol , Kim Hyeon Hoe , Choo Min Soo , Ku Ja Hyeon
Published: July 2019

The aim of this study was to determine the prophylactic effect of intravesical chemotherapy. Furthermore, it aimed to compare the efficacy of regimens on the prevention of bladder recurrence, after nephroureterectomy, for upper tract urothelial carcinoma by systematic review and network meta-analysis. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to search for studies published before 22 December 2016 using PubMed, Embase, and Scopus. All studies comparing nephroureterectomy alone with prophylactic intravesical chemotherapy after nephroureterectomy were included. The primary outcome was intravesical recurrence-free survival rate. In addition, we conducted indirect comparisons among regimens using network meta-analysis, as well as three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on multicenter setting, and one large retrospective study with a total of 532 patients were analyzed. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) of bladder recurrence was 0.54 (95% CI: 0.38–0.76) in intravesical instillation patients. On network meta-analysis, pirarubicin was ranked the most effective regimen, while maintenance therapy of mitomycin C (MMC) with Ara-C and induction therapy of MMC were ranked as the second and third most effective regimens, respectively. Our study demonstrates that intravesical chemotherapy can prevent bladder recurrence in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma after nephroureterectomy. It also suggests that a single instillation of pirarubicin is the most efficacious intravesical regimen.
How to Diagnose and Treat Local Allergic Rhinitis: A Challenge for Clinicians
Authors: Eguiluz-Gracia Ibon , Pérez-Sánchez Natalia , Bogas Gádor , Campo Paloma , Rondón Carmen
Published: July 2019

Chronic rhinitis is a very common disease that can be divided in various phenotypes. Historically, the condition has been classified into the allergic rhinitis (AR) and non-allergic non-infectious rhinitis (NAR) forms, based on the results of the classical biomarkers of atopy: skin prick test and serum allergen-specific IgE However, this classification does not reflect the complexity of the rhinitis syndrome, as illustrated by the existence of non-atopic rhinitis patients who display a nasal reactivity to environmental allergens. This new phenotype has been termed local allergic rhinitis (LAR) and can be only recognized if an additional test such as the nasal allergen challenge (NAC) is integrated in the diagnostic algorithm for chronic rhinitis. Recent data shows that the NAC is a very safe and reliable technique ready for the clinical practice. LAR is a differentiated rhinitis phenotype which often commences during childhood and quickly progresses towards a clinical worsening and the association of comorbidities in other mucosal organs. Recent evidence supports the existence of a bronchial counterpart of LAR (local allergic asthma), which highlights the pathophysiological links between the upper and lower airways and reinforces the united airways concept. Importantly, several controlled studies have demonstrated the ability of allergen immunotherapy to control LAR symptoms while the therapy is being administered. This review emphasizes the need to implement the NAC in the clinical practice in order to facilitate the recognition of LAR patients, allowing for an early prescription of specific therapies with disease-modifying potential.
Clinical Trajectories and Causes of Death in Septic Patients with a Low APACHE II Score
Authors: Huang Chun-Ta , Ruan Sheng-Yuan , Tsai Yi-Ju , Ku Shih-Chi , Yu Chong-Jen
Published: July 2019

Clinical course and mortality in septic patients with low disease severity remain poorly understood and is worth further investigation. We enrolled septic patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) between 2010 and 2014 with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) scores of ≤15. We sought to determine their clinical trajectories and causes of death, and to analyze risk factors associated with in-hospital mortality. A total of 352 patients were included, of whom 89 (25%) did not survive to hospital discharge, at a rate higher than predicted (<21%) by the APACHE II score. Approximately one third (31/89) of non-survivors succumbed to index sepsis; however, more patients (34/89) died of subsequent sepsis. New-onset ICU sepsis developed in 99 (28%) patients and was an independent risk factor for mortality. In addition, septic patients with comorbid malignancy or index infection acquired in the hospital settings were more likely to have in-hospital mortality than those without. In conclusion, septic patients with low APACHE II scores were at a higher mortality risk than expected, and subsequent sepsis rather than index sepsis was the primary cause of death. This study provides insight into unexpected clinical trajectories and outcomes of septic patients with low disease severity at ICU admission and highlights the need for more research and clinical attention in this patient population.
Nutritional Risk Screening and Assessment
Authors: Reber Emilie , Gomes Filomena , Vasiloglou Maria F. , Schuetz Philipp , Stanga Zeno
Published: July 2019

Malnutrition is an independent risk factor that negatively influences patients’ clinical outcomes, quality of life, body function, and autonomy. Early identification of patients at risk of malnutrition or who are malnourished is crucial in order to start a timely and adequate nutritional support. Nutritional risk screening, a simple and rapid first-line tool to detect patients at risk of malnutrition, should be performed systematically in patients at hospital admission. Patients with nutritional risk should subsequently undergo a more detailed nutritional assessment to identify and quantify specific nutritional problems. Such an assessment includes subjective and objective parameters such as medical history, current and past dietary intake (including energy and protein balance), physical examination and anthropometric measurements, functional and mental assessment, quality of life, medications, and laboratory values. Nutritional care plans should be developed in a multidisciplinary approach, and implemented to maintain and improve patients’ nutritional condition. Standardized nutritional management including systematic risk screening and assessment may also contribute to reduced healthcare costs. Adequate and timely implementation of nutritional support has been linked with favorable outcomes such as a decrease in length of hospital stay, reduced mortality, and reductions in the rate of severe complications, as well as improvements in quality of life and functional status. The aim of this review article is to provide a comprehensive overview of nutritional screening and assessment methods that can contribute to an effective and well-structured nutritional management (process cascade) of hospitalized patients.
Etelcalcetide in Patients on Hemodialysis with Severe Secondary Hyperparathyroidism. Multicenter Study in “Real Life”
Authors: Russo Domenico , Tripepi Rocco , Malberti Fabio , Di Iorio Biagio , Scognamiglio Bernadette , Di Lullo Luca , Paduano Immacolata Gaia , Tripepi Giovanni Luigi , Panuccio Vincenzo Antonio
Published: July 2019

Etelcalcetide is a new calcimimetic indicated for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in dialysis patients. Etelcalcetide efficacy in SHPT has been ascertained only in randomized controlled trials. This multicenter study was carried out in “real world” setting that is different from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to (1) evaluate the effectiveness of etelcalcetide in SHPT, (2) to assess calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase changes, (3) to register gastrointestinal side effects. Data were collected from twenty-three dialysis units with n = 1190 patients on the charge. From this cohort, n = 168 (14%) patients were on treatment with etelcalcetide, and they were evaluated for statistics. A median weekly dose of etelcalcetide was 15 mg (7.5–45 mg). Patients were either naïve (33%) or switched from cinacalcet to obtain better control of SHPT with reduced side effects or pills burden. Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) declined over time from a median value of 636 pg/mL to 357 pg/mL. The median time for responders (intact PTH (iPTH) range: two to nine times the upper normal limit) was 53 days; the percentage of responders increased (from baseline 27% to 63%) being similar in switched-patients and naïve-patients. Few patients had symptomatic hypocalcemia requiring etelcalcetide withdrawal (four cases (3%) at 30-day control, two cases (2%) at 60-day, one case (1%) at 90-day control). Side effects with etelcalcetide were lower (3–4%) than that registered during cinacalcet treatment (53%). Etelcalcetide is a new therapeutic option for SHPT with low side effects and pills burden. Etelcalcetide may improve adherence to therapy, avoiding unremitting SHP. It remains to be assessed whether etelcalcetide may reduce parathyroidectomy, vascular calcification, or mortality. Being etelcalcetide very potent in suppressing PTH levels, even in severe SHPT, future studies should evaluate the potential risk of more adynamic bone disease during long-term therapy.
The Role of a “Treat-to-Target” Approach in the Long-Term Renal Outcomes of Patients with Gout
Authors: Kim Woo-Joong , Song Jung Soo , Choi Sang Tae
Published: July 2019

Background: Although gout is accompanied by the substantial burden of kidney disease, there are limited data to assess renal function as a therapeutic target. This study evaluated the importance of implementing a “treat-to-target” approach in relation to renal outcomes. Methods: Patients with gout who underwent continuous urate-lowering therapy (ULT) for at least 12 months were included. The effect of ULT on renal function was investigated by means of a sequential comparison of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Results: Improvement in renal function was only demonstrated in subjects in whom the serum urate target of <6 mg/dL was achieved (76.40 ± 18.81 mL/min/1.73 m2 vs. 80.30 ± 20.41 mL/min/1.73 m2, p < 0.001). A significant difference in the mean change in eGFR with respect to serum urate target achievement was shown in individuals with chronic kidney disease stage 3 (−0.35 ± 3.87 mL/min/1.73 m2 vs. 5.33 ± 11.64 mL/min/1.73 m2, p = 0.019). Multivariable analysis predicted that patients ≥65 years old had a decreased likelihood of improvement (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.13–0.75, p = 0.009). Conclusions: The “treat-to-target” approach in the long-term management of gout is associated with better renal outcomes, with a greater impact on those with impaired renal function.
Cost–Utility of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Fibromyalgia versus a Multicomponent Intervention and Usual Care: A 12-Month Randomized Controlled Trial (EUDAIMON Study)
Authors: Pérez-Aranda Adrián , D’Amico Francesco , Feliu-Soler Albert , McCracken Lance M. , Peñarrubia-María María T. , Andrés-Rodríguez Laura , Angarita-Osorio Natalia , Knapp Martin , García-Campayo Javier , Luciano Juan V.
Published: July 2019

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a prevalent, chronic, disabling, pain syndrome that implies high healthcare costs. Economic evaluations of potentially effective treatments for FM are needed. The aim of this study was to analyze the cost–utility of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) as an add-on to treatment-as-usual (TAU) for patients with FM compared to an adjuvant multicomponent intervention (“FibroQoL”) and to TAU. We performed an economic evaluation alongside a 12 month, randomized, controlled trial; data from 204 (68 per study arm) of the 225 patients (90.1%) were included in the cost–utility analyses, which were conducted both under the government and the public healthcare system perspectives. The main outcome measures were the EuroQol (EQ-5D-5L) for assessing Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) and improvements in health-related quality of life, and the Client Service Receipt Inventory (CSRI) for estimating direct and indirect costs. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were also calculated. Two sensitivity analyses (intention-to-treat, ITT, and per protocol, PPA) were conducted. The results indicated that MBSR achieved a significant reduction in costs compared to the other study arms (p < 0.05 in the completers sample), especially in terms of indirect costs and primary healthcare services. It also produced a significant incremental effect compared to TAU in the ITT sample (ΔQALYs = 0.053, p < 0.05, where QALYs represents quality-adjusted life years). Overall, our findings support the efficiency of MBSR over FibroQoL and TAU specifically within a Spanish public healthcare context.
Severity of Coronary Atherosclerosis and Risk of Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Colaiori Iginio , Izzo Raffaele , Barbato Emanuele , Franco Danilo , Di Gioia Giuseppe , Rapacciuolo Antonio , Bartunek Jozef , Mancusi Costantino , Losi Maria Angela , Strisciuglio Teresa , Manzi Maria Virginia , de Simone Giovanni , Trimarco Bruno , Morisco Carmine
Published: July 2019

Background: Cardio-vascular target organ damage predicts the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in hypertensive patients. Whether an increased incidence of DM is also in relation to the severity of coronary atherosclerosis is unknown. Objective: We evaluated the onset of DM in relation to the extent and severity of coronary atherosclerosis, using the SYNTAX (Synergy between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) score (SS), in patients with stable angina or acute coronary syndromes, referred for coronary angiography (CA). Methods: Non-diabetic patients that underwent CA for the first time were included, and the SS was computed. Predictors of DM onset in low, medium, and high SSs were investigated. Results: Five hundred and seventy patients were included, and the mean SS was 6.3 ± 7.6. During a median follow-up of 79 months (interquartile range (IQR): 67–94), 74 patients (13%) developed DM. The risk of DM onset was significantly higher in the patients with a medium or high SS (hazard ratio (HR)—95% confidence interval (CI): 16 (4–61), p < 0.0001; and 30 (9–105), p < 0.0001, vs low SS, respectively), even after adjustment for obesity, history of hypertension, impaired fasting glucose, and cardiovascular therapy. Conclusions: The severity and extent of the coronary atherosclerosis, evaluated by the SS, is a strong and independent predictor of the development of DM in patients, referred to CA.
ATP Synthase Subunit Epsilon Overexpression Promotes Metastasis by Modulating AMPK Signaling to Induce Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Is a Poor Prognostic Marker in Colorectal Cancer Patients
Authors: Huang Yan-Jiun , Jan Yi-Hua , Chang Yu-Chan , Tsai Hsing-Fang , Wu Alexander TH , Chen Chi-Long , Hsiao Michael
Published: July 2019

Metastasis remains the major cause of death from colon cancer. We intend to identify differentially expressed genes that are associated with the metastatic process and prognosis in colon cancer. ATP synthase epsilon subunit (ATP5E) gene was found to encode the mitochondrial F0F1 ATP synthase subunit epsilon that was overexpressed in tumor cells compared to their normal counterparts, while other genes encoding the ATP synthase subunit were repressed in public microarray datasets. CRC cells in which ATP5E was silenced showed markedly reduced invasive and migratory abilities. ATP5E inhibition significantly reduced the incidence of distant metastasis in a mouse xenograft model. Mechanistically, increased ATP5E expression resulted in a prominent reduction in E-cadherin and an increase in Snail expression. Our data also showed that an elevated ATP5E level in metastatic colon cancer samples was significantly associated with the AMPK-AKT-hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF1α) signaling axis; silencing ATP5E led to the degradation of HIF1α under hypoxia through AMPK-AKT signaling. Our findings suggest that elevated ATP5E expression could serve as a marker of distant metastasis and a poor prognosis in colon cancer, and ATP5E functions via modulating AMPK-AKT-HIF1α signaling.
Antibiotic Resistance and Genotypes of Helicobacter pylori Strains in Patients with Gastroduodenal Disease in Southeast Poland
Authors: Korona-Glowniak Izabela , Cichoz-Lach Halina , Siwiec Radoslaw , Andrzejczuk Sylwia , Glowniak Andrzej , Matras Przemyslaw , Malm Anna
Published: July 2019

The aim of this study was to investigate genetic diversity of Helicobacter pylori virulence markers to predict clinical outcome as well as to determine an antibiotic susceptibility of H. pylori strains in Poland. Gastric biopsies from 132 patients with gastrointestinal disorders were tested for presence of H. pylori with the use of rapid urease test, microbial culture, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection. The genetic diversity of 62 H. pylori positive samples was evaluated by detection of cagA and PCR-typing of vacA and iceA virulence-associated genes. Most common H. pylori genotypes were cagA(+)vacAs1m2 (27.4%) and cagA(−)vacAs2m2 (24.2%). In logistic regression analysis, we recognized the subsequent significant associations: gastritis with ureC, i.e., H. pylori infection (p = 0.006), BMI index (p = 0.032); and negatively with iceA1 (p = 0.049) and peptic ulcer with cagA (p = 0.018). Thirty-five H. pylori strains were cultured and tested by E-test method showing that 49% of strains were resistant to at least one of the tested antibiotics. This is the first study that reports the high incidence and diversity of allelic combination of virulence genes in gastroduodenitis patients in Poland. Genotyping of H. pylori strains confirmed the involvement of cagA gene and vacAs1m1 genotype in development and severity of gastric disorder.
Phenotypic Characterization of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Cells and Prognostic Impact
Authors: Devin Julie , Kassambara Alboukadel , Bruyer Angélique , Moreaux Jérôme , Bret Caroline
Published: July 2019

Multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) is a fast and cost-effective technique to evaluate the expression of many lymphoid markers in mature B-cell neoplasms, including diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), which is the most frequent non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In this study, we first characterized by MFC the expression of 27 lymphoid markers in 16 DLBCL-derived cell lines to establish a robust algorithm for their authentication. Then, using the expression profile in DLBCL samples of the genes encoding B lymphoid markers that are routinely investigated by MFC, we built a gene expression-based risk score, based on the expression level of BCL2, BCL6, CD11c, and LAIR1, to predict the outcome of patients with DLBCL. This risk score allowed splitting patients in four risk groups, and was an independent predictor factor of overall survival when compared with the previously published prognostic factors. Lastly, to investigate the potential correlation between BCL2, BCL6, CD11c, and LAIR1 protein level and resistance to treatment, we investigated the response of the 16 DLBCL cell lines to cyclophosphamide, etoposide, doxorubicin, and gemcitabine. We found a correlation between BCL6 overexpression and resistance to etoposide. These results show the interest of MFC for the routine characterization of DLBCL cells and tumors samples for research and diagnostic/prognostic purposes.
Could Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) Serve as a Potential Marker for Delirium Prediction in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke? A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Kotfis Katarzyna , Bott-Olejnik Marta , Szylińska Aleksandra , Rotter Iwona
Published: July 2019

Delirium is an acute brain disorder that commonly occurs in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Pathomechanism of delirium is related to the neuroinflammatory process and oxidative stress. Search for readily available diagnostic marker that will aid clinicians in early identification of delirium is ongoing. The aim of this study was to investigate whether neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) could serve as a potential marker for delirium prediction in patients with AIS and to find an easy diagnostic tool using laboratory and clinical parameters to predict delirium. Prospective observational study (NCT03944694) included patients with AIS admitted to the neurology department of a district general hospital. All patients were screened for delirium using CAM-ICU (Confusion Assessment Method for Intensive Care Unit). Demographic and medical history data and admission lab results, including differential white blood cell analysis, were collected from all patients. We included 1001 patients in the final analysis. The mean age of the sample was 71 years, and 52% of patients were males. The incidence of early-onset delirium was 17.2%. The NLR was elevated in delirious patients (6.39 ± 8.60 vs. 4.61 ± 5.61, p < 0.001). The best cut-off value of NLR to predict delirium using the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) was determined at 4.86. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratio (OR) for developing delirium with NLR > 4.86 (adjusted for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, and baseline neurology) was 1.875 (95% CI 1.314–2.675, p = 0.001). As a result of different combinations of markers and clinical parameters based on logistic regression, a formula—DELirium in Acute Ischemic Stroke (DELIAS score)—was obtained with the area under the ROC curve of 0.801 (p < 0.001). After regression of the cut-off points of the obtained curve, a significant correlation of the DELIAS score was observed with the occurrence of early-onset delirium (OR = 8.976, p < 0.001) and with delirium until the fifth day after AIS (OR = 7.744, p < 0.001). In conclusion, NLR can be regarded as a potential marker for prediction of early-onset delirium after AIS. On the basis of combined laboratory and clinical parameters, the DELIAS score was calculated, which gave the highest predictive value for delirium in the analyzed group of patients after ischemic stroke. However, further studies are needed to validate these findings.
Compensatory Neural Recruitment for Error-Related Cerebral Activity in Patients with Moderate-To-Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Chou Ping-Song , Chen Sharon Chia-Ju , Hsu Chung-Yao , Liou Li-Min , Wu Meng-Ni , Liu Ching-Kuan , Lai Chiou-Lian
Published: July 2019

(1) Background: Although it is known that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) impairs action-monitoring function, there is only limited information regarding the associated cerebral substrate underlying this phenomenon. (2) Methods: The modified Flanker task, error-related event-related potentials (ERPs), namely, error-related negativity (ERN) and error positivity (Pe), and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) were used to evaluate neural activities and the functional connectivity underlying action-monitoring dysfunction in patients with different severities of OSA. (3) Results: A total of 14 control (Cont) subjects, 17 patients with moderate OSA (mOSA), and 10 patients with severe OSA (sOSA) were enrolled. A significant decline in posterror correction rate was observed in the modified Flanker task when patients with mOSA were compared with Cont subjects. Comparison between patients with mOSA and sOSA did not reveal any significant difference. In the analysis of ERPs, ERN and Pe exhibited declined amplitudes in patients with mOSA compared with Cont subjects, which were found to increase in patients with sOSA. Results of fMRI revealed a decreased correlation in multiple anterior cingulate cortex functional-connected areas in patients with mOSA compared with Cont subjects. However, these areas appeared to be reconnected in patients with sOSA. (4) Conclusions: The behavioral, neurophysiological, and functional image findings obtained in this study suggest that mOSA leads to action-monitoring dysfunction; however, compensatory neural recruitment might have contributed to the maintenance of the action-monitoring function in patients with sOSA.
Relationships between Hearing Loss and the Prevalences of Cataract, Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy, and Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Korea
Authors: Kim Joon , Kim Se , Chin Hee , Kim Hyun , Kim Na ,   on behalf of the Epidemiologic Survey Committee of the Korean Ophthalmological Society
Published: July 2019

This study was conducted using the database of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to determine whether age-related eye diseases such as cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy (DR), and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), are related to hearing loss. 12,899 participants ≥ 40 years of age were included. The weighted prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was not significantly different between the normal hearing group and hearing-impaired group, but the weighted prevalences of cataract, glaucoma, early AMD, and late AMD were significantly different in the two groups. The odds ratio for cataract in the hearing-impaired group was 1.373 (1.118–1.687). The odds ratios of glaucoma, DR, early AMD, and late AMD were not significantly different in the hearing-impaired group. Age was significantly associated with the presence of concurrent cataract and hearing impairment by 6.574-fold per decade. Significant factors that increased the risk of concurrent glaucoma and hearing impairment were age, male gender, and triglyceride. Age, ex-smoker, systolic BP elevation, BMI decline, and fasting blood sugar significantly predicted the presence of concurrent DR and hearing loss. In early AMD, age and triglyceride, and in late AMD, age and systolic BP elevations increased the risk of concurrent AMD and hearing impairment.
Tools of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans to Evade the Host Response
Authors: Oscarsson Jan , Claesson Rolf , Lindholm Mark , Höglund Åberg Carola , Johansson Anders
Published: July 2019

Periodontitis is an infection-induced inflammatory disease that affects the tooth supporting tissues, i.e., bone and connective tissues. The initiation and progression of this disease depend on dysbiotic ecological changes in the oral microbiome, thereby affecting the severity of disease through multiple immune-inflammatory responses. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is a facultative anaerobic Gram-negative bacterium associated with such cellular and molecular mechanisms associated with the pathogenesis of periodontitis. In the present review, we outline virulence mechanisms that help the bacterium to escape the host response. These properties include invasiveness, secretion of exotoxins, serum resistance, and release of outer membrane vesicles. Virulence properties of A. actinomycetemcomitans that can contribute to treatment resistance in the infected individuals and upon translocation to the circulation, also induce pathogenic mechanisms associated with several systemic diseases.
Test-Bed Performance of an Ice-Coring Drill Used with a Hot Water Drilling System
Authors: Liu An , Wang Rusheng , Fan Xiaopeng , Yang Yang , Li Xingchen , Wang Liang , Talalay Pavel
Published: July 2019

Ice cores from ice shelves contain abundant paleoclimatic information and provide essential information concerned with the prediction of future climatic change and global sea level variations. Efficient retrieval of ice cores is always an engineering challenge in polar ice and marine research. Here, we present design and other information of a new hot-water ice-coring drill used in combination with a hot-water drilling system that provides a rapid and environmentally friendly ice coring system. The coring system shares the surface equipment and hydraulic hose with the hot-water drilling system. Tests with the drill were carried out at an ice drill testing facility, and theoretical estimations were performed to predict the rate of penetration (ROP) and water flow rates. The results indicate the optimal water temperature for ice-coring to be 50 °C, and the most suitable water flow rate to be from 42 L/min to 55 L/min. With those drilling parameters, the maximum ROP is 27.8 m/h and the ice cores are 55–59 mm in diameter.
Evaluating the Potential of Younger Cases and Older Controls Cohorts to Improve Discovery Power in Genome-Wide Association Studies of Late-Onset Diseases
Authors: Oliynyk Roman Teo
Published: July 2019

For more than a decade, genome-wide association studies have been making steady progress in discovering the causal gene variants that contribute to late-onset human diseases. Polygenic late-onset diseases in an aging population display a risk allele frequency decrease at older ages, caused by individuals with higher polygenic risk scores becoming ill proportionately earlier and bringing about a change in the distribution of risk alleles between new cases and the as-yet-unaffected population. This phenomenon is most prominent for diseases characterized by high cumulative incidence and high heritability, examples of which include Alzheimer’s disease, coronary artery disease, cerebral stroke, and type 2 diabetes, while for late-onset diseases with relatively lower prevalence and heritability, exemplified by cancers, the effect is significantly lower. In this research, computer simulations have demonstrated that genome-wide association studies of late-onset polygenic diseases showing high cumulative incidence together with high initial heritability will benefit from using the youngest possible age-matched cohorts. Moreover, rather than using age-matched cohorts, study cohorts combining the youngest possible cases with the oldest possible controls may significantly improve the discovery power of genome-wide association studies.
Gender Assignment to Spanish Pseudowords by Monolingual and Basque-Spanish Bilingual Children
Authors: Pérez-Tattam Rocío , Ezeizabarrena Maria José , Stadthagen-González Hans , Mueller Gathercole Virginia C.
Published: July 2019

This study examines gender marking in the Spanish of Basque-Spanish bilingual children. We analyze data collected via a production task designed to elicit 48 DPs, controlling for gender of referents and for number and types of morphological cues to grammatical gender. The goals were to determine the extent to which participants rely on biological cues (female referent =>FEM gender, male referent =>MASC gender) and morpho-phonological cues (-a ending =>FEM, -o ending =>MASC, others =>MASC or FEM) to assign gender to pseudowords/novel words; and whether bilinguals’ language dominance (Spanish strong/weak) has an effect. Data were collected from 49 5- to 6-year-old Spanish-speaking children—28 monolingual L1 Spanish (L1Sp) and 21 Basque-dominant (L1 Basque-L2 Spanish) bilinguals (BDB). Results reveal a general preference for MASC gender across conditions, especially in BDB children, who produced masculine modifiers for 83% of items, while the L1Sp children did so for only 63% of items. Regression analyses show that for both groups, morphological cues have more weight than the nature of the referent in participants’ assignment of gender to novel words, and that the L1Sp group is more attentive to FEM morphological markers than the BDB group, pointing towards the existence of differences in the strength of cue-patterns for gender marking.
Induction of Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Bioceramic Root Repair Material
Authors: Edrees Hadeel Y. , Abu Zeid Sawsan T.H. , Atta Hazem M. , AlQriqri Mehal A.
Published: July 2019

This study aimed to evaluate the osteogenic activity of Endosequence Root Repair Material (ERRM) putty using rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The extract of set ERRM and ProRoot-mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) (control) was cocultured with rat MSCs and incubated for one, three, and seven days. The cell viability and proliferation were assessed. A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), alkaline phosphatase, bone sialoprotein, and osteocalcin gene expression was performed. Both materials enhanced cell viability and proliferation, which increased over time. On day seven, the cells treated with either material exhibited significantly greater cell viability compared with control untreated cells. MSCs treated with either material showed deeper alkaline phosphatase staining after three days compared to control untreated cells. Treated MSCs also exhibited upregulation of the gene expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2, alkaline phosphatase, bone sialoprotein, and osteocalcin. Both ERRM and ProRoot-MTA enhance the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs.
Effect of Biodegradable Binder Properties and Operating Conditions on Growth of Urea Particles in a Fluidized Bed Granulator
Authors: Zhalehrajabi Ehsan , Lau Kok Keong , Ku Shaari Ku Zilati , Zahraee Seyed Mojib , Seyedin Seyed Hadi , Azeem Babar , Shaaban Azizah
Published: July 2019

Granulation is an important step during the production of urea granules. Most of the commercial binders used for granulation are toxic and non-biodegradable. In this study, a fully biodegradable and cost-effective starch-based binder is used for urea granulation in a fluidized bed granulator. The effect of binder properties such as viscosity, surface tension, contact angle, penetration time, and liquid bridge bonding force on granulation performance is studied. In addition, the effect of fluidized bed process parameters such as fluidizing air inlet velocity, air temperature, weight of primary urea particles, binder spray rate, and binder concentration is also evaluated using response surface methodology. Based on the results, binder with higher concentration demonstrates higher viscosity and higher penetration time that potentially enhance the granulation performance. The viscous Stokes number for binder with higher concentration is lower than critical Stokes number that increases coalescence rate. Higher viscosity and lower restitution coefficient of urea particles result in elastic losses and subsequent successful coalescence. Statistical analysis indicate that air velocity, air temperature, and weight of primary urea particles have major effects on granulation performance. Higher air velocity increases probability of collision, whereby lower temperature prevents binder to be dried up prior to collision. Findings of this study can be useful for process scale-up and industrial application.
Development and Characterization of Bacterial Cellulose Reinforced with Natural Rubber
Authors: Potivara Kornkamol , Phisalaphong Muenduen
Published: July 2019

Films of bacterial cellulose (BC) reinforced by natural rubber (NR) with remarkably high mechanical strength were developed by combining the prominent mechanical properties of multilayer BC nanofibrous structural networks and the high elastic hydrocarbon polymer of NR. BC pellicle was immersed in a diluted NR latex (NRL) suspension in the presence of ethanol aqueous solution. Effects of NRL concentrations (0.5%–10% dry rubber content, DRC) and immersion temperatures (30–70 °C) on the film characteristics were studied. It was revealed that the combination of nanocellulose fibrous networks and NR polymer provided a synergistic effect on the mechanical properties of NR–BC films. In comparison with BC films, the tensile strength and elongation at break of the NR–BC films were considerably improved ~4-fold. The NR–BC films also exhibited improved water resistance over that of BC films and possessed a high resistance to non-polar solvents such as toluene. NR–BC films were biodegradable and could be degraded completely within 5–6 weeks in soil.
Hedging Crop Yields Against Weather Uncertainties—A Weather Derivative Perspective
Authors: Gyamerah Samuel Asante , Ngare Philip , Ikpe Dennis
Published: July 2019

The effects of weather on agriculture in recent years have become a major global concern. Hence, an effective weather risk management tool (i.e., weather derivatives) that can hedge crop yields against weather uncertainties is needed. However, most smallholder farmers and agricultural stakeholders are unwilling to pay for the price of weather derivatives (WD) because of the presence of basis risks (product-design and geographical) in the pricing models. To eliminate product-design basis risks, a machine learning ensemble technique was used to determine the relationship between maize yield and weather variables. The results revealed that the most significant weather variable that affected the yield of maize was average temperature. A mean-reverting model with a time-varying speed of mean reversion, seasonal mean, and local volatility that depended on the local average temperature was then proposed. The model was extended to a multi-dimensional model for different but correlated locations. Based on these average temperature models, pricing models for futures, options on futures, and basket futures for cumulative average temperature and growing degree-days are presented. Pricing futures on baskets reduces geographical basis risk, as buyers have the opportunity to select the most appropriate weather stations with their desired weight preference. With these pricing models, farmers and agricultural stakeholders can hedge their crops against the perils of extreme weather.
Affective Temperaments and Clinical Course of Bipolar Disorder: An Exploratory Study of Differences among Patients with and without a History of Violent Suicide Attempts
Authors: Fico Giovanna , Caivano Vito , Zinno Francesca , Carfagno Marco , Steardo Luca , Sampogna Gaia , Luciano Mario , Fiorillo Andrea
Published: July 2019

Background and Objectives: Suicide is the leading cause of death in patients with Bipolar Disorder (BD). In particular, the high mortality rate is due to violent suicide attempts. Several risk factors associated with suicide attempts in patients with BD have been identified. Affective temperaments are associated with suicidal risk, but their predictive role is still understudied. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between affective temperaments and personal history of violent suicide attempts. Materials and Methods: 74 patients with Bipolar Disorder type I (BD-I) or II (BD-II) were included. All patients filled in the short version of Munster Temperament Evaluation of the Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego (short TEMPS-M) and the Temperament and Character Inventory, revised version (TCI-R). The sample was divided into two groups on the basis of a positive history for suicidal attempts and the suicidal group was further divided into two subgroups according to violent suicide attempts. Results: Violent suicide attempts were positively associated with the cyclothymic temperament and inversely to the hyperthymic one. BD-I patients and patients with a clinical history of rapid cycling were significantly more represented in the group of patients with a history of violent suicide attempts. Conclusions: Our study highlights that several clinical and temperamental characteristics are associated with violent suicide attempts, suggesting the importance of affective temperaments in the clinical management of patients with BPI.