bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving patient care in monogenic diabetes through research and education
Authors: Shepherd Maggie
Published: June 2019

The 2019 Arnold Bloom lecture reviewed the progress in monogenic diabetes since the start of the service in Exeter in 1995 to present day.

The impact of a correct molecular genetic diagnosis has been profound for many patients who have been able to stop insulin injections even after many years on this treatment. However, there remain many patients who are still not correctly diagnosed and long delays between initial diabetes diagnosis and correct genetic diagnosis remain. Raising awareness of monogenic diabetes across the UK has been aided by a national network of genetic diabetes nurses (GDNs). GDNs educate health care professionals about genetic forms of diabetes and are able to provide advice to patients and their families following a positive genetic diagnosis.

Challenges in the management of monogenic diabetes still remain. Systematic approaches are being instigated to ensure correct molecular genetic diagnosis is made as close to the initial diabetes diagnosis as possible, and research is being undertaken to identify what support is needed for those receiving ‘unexpected’ genetic results. Management of monogenic diabetes pregnancy can be complex as many women with the most common forms of monogenic diabetes are best treated with sulphonylureas outside pregnancy and fetal genotype can affect birthweight so there are a number of issues to consider. Future management of pregnancy in these cases may be aided by use of cell free fetal DNA testing. Further information on monogenic diabetes can be found at www.diabetesgenes.org. Copyright © 2019 John Wiley & Sons.
Determination of good pharmacovigilance reporting practices in Quebec hospital pharmacies using a modified Delphi method
Authors: Rault Pauline , Mégrourèche Émilie , Labarre Jean‐Simon , Pettersen‐Coulombe Flavie , Lebel Denis , Bussières Jean‐François
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Many published guidelines are available for health care providers describing the best way to manage patient's adverse drug reactions (ADRs). However, there is a lack of guidance on the best way to promote and manage ADR reporting within hospitals. The goal of this study was to develop good pharmacovigilance reporting practices (GPRPs).

Methods

This descriptive study used a modified Delphi method. The research team developed 41 statements, according to a modified Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic Timely (SMART) method and grouped them in six categories: organization (n = 12 statements), pharmacovigilance committee (n = 4), database (n = 5), training (n = 5), tools (n = 3), and quality (n = 12). The Delphi consultation (two online rounds, conducted in 2018) involved directors of pharmacy in Quebec hospitals.

Results

Of 30 directors of pharmacy invited to participate in the first round, 27 (90%) did so. Following this round, the wording of five statements was modified according to pre‐established rules. Twenty‐five (93%) of the original 27 participants responded during the second round. Of the initial 41 statements, 37 were selected (average score ≥ 7); the other four were eliminated. Of the 37 statements selected, 22 had a “must do” formulation, 12 had a “should do” formulation, and three had a “may do” formulation.

Conclusion

Using a modified Delphi method, we established a set of GPRPs for hospital pharmacy based on 37 statements. To our knowledge, these are the first GPRPs published in the hospital pharmacy literature.
Controlled syntheses of polythiophene nanoparticles with plain and hollow nanostructures templated from unimolecular micelles
Authors: Bian Yawen , Yang Chenyu , Gu Qiaosheng , Zhu Xinyuan , Wang Youfu , Zhang Xueli
Published: June 2019

Polythiophene nanoparticles (PTNs), as one of the typical conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPNs) with novel optical and electronic properties have won extensive attentions, especially their applications in electronics and bioimaging. However, PTNs obtained with traditional methods are usually nonuniform or unstable. Herein, we developed a novel method to prepare uniform and stable PTNs templated from star‐like unimolecular micelles. Cyclodextrin‐cored unimolecular micelles with tailored components were prepared through atom transfer radical polymerization, and PTNs with plain or hollow nanostructures can be obtained via crosslinking the suspended thiophene units in designed domain of unimolecular micelles. The unimolecular micelles and PTNs were characterized via nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering, ultraviolet–visible, and photoluminescence, indicating that the PTNs exhibit uniform size, controllable surface chemistry, and well‐defined nanostructures. The obtained PTNs have potential applications in optics, electronics, and bioimaging. Also, this provides a new way to synthesize CPNs with tailored sizes, nanostructures, and surface chemistry. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 1550–1555
Isotactic polypropylene reversible crystallization investigated by modulated temperature and quasi‐isothermal FTIR
Authors: Di Lisio Valerio , Sturabotti Elisa , Francolini Iolanda , Piozzi Antonella , Martinelli Andrea
Published: June 2019

Modulated temperature techniques allow to separate the reversing and non‐reversing contributions of material transitions. To investigate reversible crystallization and melting of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) at microstructural level, in this research, modulated temperature Fourier transform infrared (MTFTIR) and quasi‐isothermal FTIR (QIFTIR) analyses are used. By following the intensity variation of iPP regularity bands, associated with 31 helix structures of different lengths (n repeating units), MTFTIR evidences that, independently from helix length, a reversing coil–helix transition takes place few degrees below the non‐reversing crystallization onset. By comparing spectroscopic and differential scanning calorimetry experiments performed in quasi‐isothermal conditions, the reversing transition was found to be associated with the reversible melting‐crystallization phenomenon. Moreover, QIFTIR evidences that helices of different lengths contribute differently to the reversible transition: the helices composed of n = 10 and n = 12 are active into all the explored temperature range (30–130 °C) whereas the shortest (n = 6) and the longest (n > 15) helices contribute to reversibility at T > 100 °C. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019, 57, 922–931
Binding of multiple SO2 molecules to small gold cluster anions (AuN−, AuNOH−, N = 1‐8)
Authors: Reina Miguel , Wallace William T. , Wyrwas Richard B. , Whetten Robert L. , Martínez Ana
Published: June 2019

The binding of SO2 on gas‐phase gold cluster anions, AuN−, and their hydroxide counterparts, AuNOH−, have been studied using density functional theory combined with flow reactor/time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry techniques. SO2 is adsorbed on all of the AuN− and AuNOH− clusters (N = 1‐8) and the hydroxide clusters are more active than the bare anionic clusters. Successive additions of SO2 molecules (up to four) have been analyzed. In all cases, anionic clusters are shown to bind multiple SO2 molecules. Theoretical analyses are in agreement with the experimental results, showing that the addition of more than one molecule is thermodynamically favorable. Larger clusters do not necessarily absorb more molecules, as different SO2 binding motifs on these clusters are present. These results provide important insight for the potential use of these anionic clusters as SO2 hunters.
Adipose-Derived Stromal Cells Are Capable of Restoring Bone Regeneration After Post-Traumatic Osteomyelitis and Modulate B-Cell Response
Authors: Wagner Johannes Maximilian , Reinkemeier Felix , Wallner Christoph , Dadras Mehran , Huber Julika , Schmidt Sonja Verena , Drysch Marius , Dittfeld Stephanie , Jaurich Henriette , Becerikli Mustafa , Becker Kathrin , Rauch Nicole , Duhan Vikas , Lehnhardt Marcus , Behr Björn
Published: June 2019

Bone infections are a frequent cause for large bony defects with a reduced healing capacity. In previous findings, we could already show diminished healing capacity after bone infections, despite the absence of the causing agent, Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, these bony defects showed reduced osteoblastogenesis and increased osteoclastogenesis, meaning elevated bone resorption ongoing with an elevated B-cell activity. To overcome the negative effects of this postinfectious inflammatory state, we tried to use the regenerative capacity of mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue (adipose-derived stem cells [ASCs]) to improve bone regeneration and moreover were curious about immunomodulation of applicated stem cells in this setting. Therefore, we used our established murine animal model and applicated ASCs locally after sufficient debridement of infected bones. Bone regeneration and resorption as well as immunological markers were investigated via histology, immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and fluorescence-activated cell scanning (FACS) analysis and μ-computed tomography (CT) analysis. Interestingly, ASCs were able to restore bone healing via elevation of osteoblastogenesis and downregulation of osteoclasts. Surprisingly, stem cells showed an impact on the innate immune system, downregulating B-cell population. In summary, these data provide a fascinating new and innovative approach, supporting bone healing after bacterial infections and moreover gain insights into the complex ceremony of stem cell interaction in terms of bone infection and regeneration. Stem Cells Translational Medicine  2019;8:1084–1091
Continuous monitoring of the dynamic behavior of a high‐rise telecommunications tower
Authors: Ribeiro Diogo , Leite Jorge , Pinto Nuno , Calçada Rui
Published: June 2019

This article describes the experimental evaluation of the dynamic effects induced by wind on a high‐rise telecommunications tower based on a permanent monitoring system. Monte da Virgem telecommunications tower is located near the city of Porto (Portugal), and its structure consists in a reinforced concrete shaft and a steel mast, with a total height of 177 m. The monitoring system includes accelerometers, anemometers, and a meteorological station, allowing the characterization of the maximum accelerations of the structure and wind regimes during a period of 6 months. The analysis of the results enabled identifying specific events, denominated as critical events, for which the dynamic response of the tower under wind actions appears significantly amplified due to wind aeroelastic instability phenomena in the steel mast. The automatic identification of the critical events was based on the application to the acceleration's records of an autoregressive model and estimation of its optimal order number based on a singular value decomposition. The results proved the robustness and efficiency of the proposed technique in identifying the number, duration, and maximum amplitude of accelerations associated to the critical events, envisaging its potential integration in structural health monitoring systems.
Distant Neighbors and Interscalar Contiguities
Authors: Harasim Daniel , Noll Thomas , Rohrmeier Martin
Published: June 2019

This paper studies the “integration” problem of nineteenth-century harmony—the question whether the novel chromatic chord transitions in this time are a radical break from or a natural extension of the conventional diatonic system. We examine the connections between the local behavior of voice leading among diatonic triads and their generalizations on one hand, and the global properties of voice-leading spaces on the other. In particular, we aim to identify those neo-Riemannian chord connections which can be integrated into the diatonic system and those which cannot. Starting from Jack Douthett’s approach of filtered point symmetries, we generalize diatonic triads as second-order Clough-Myerson scales and compare the resulting Douthett graph to the respective Betweenness graph. This paper generally strengthens the integrationist position, for example by presenting a construction of the hexatonic and octatonic cycles that uses the principle of minimal voice leading in the diatonic system. At the same time it provides a method to detect chromatic wormholes, i.e. parsimonious connections between diatonic chords, which are not contiguous in the system of second order Clough-Myerson scales.
Asymptotic charges in massless QED revisited: a view from spatial infinity
Authors: Campiglia Miguel , Laddha Alok
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Hamada and Shiu have recently shown that tree level amplitudes in QED satisfy an infinite hierarchy of soft photon theorems, the first two of which are Weinberg and Low’s theorems respectively. In this paper we propose that in tree level massless QED, this entire hierarchy is equivalent to a hierarchy of (asymptotic) conservation laws. We prove the equivalence explicitly for the case of sub-subleading soft photon theorem and give substantial evidence that the equivalence continues to hold for the entire hierarchy. Our work also brings out the (complimentary) relationship between the asymptotic charges associated to soft theorems and the well known Newman-Penrose charges.
Understanding KKLT from a 10d perspective
Authors: Hamada Yuta , Hebecker Arthur , Shiu Gary , Soler Pablo
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Some of the most well-celebrated constructions of metastable de Sitter vacua from string theory, such as the KKLT proposal, involve the interplay of gaugino condensation on a D7-brane stack and an uplift by a positive tension object. These constructions have recently been challenged using arguments that rely on the trace-reversed and integrated 10d Einstein equation. We give a critical assessment of such concerns. We first relate an integrated 10d Einstein equation to the extremization condition for a 10d-derived 4d effective potential. Then we argue how to obtain the latter from a 10d action which incorporates gaugino condensation in a (recently proposed) manifestly finite, perfect-square form. This effective potential is consistent with 4d supergravity and does not present obstacles for an uplifted minimum. Moreover, within standard approximations, we understand the uplift explicitly in one of the popular versions of the integrated 10d equation. Our conclusion is that de Sitter constructions of the KKLT type cannot be dismissed simply based on the integrated 10d equations considered so far.
Entanglement harvesting with moving mirrors
Authors: Cong Wan , Tjoa Erickson , Mann Robert B.
Published: June 2019

Abstract

We study the phenomenon of entanglement extraction from the vacuum of a massless scalar field in (1 + 1) dimensional spacetime in presence of a moving Dirichlet boundary condition, i.e. mirror spacetime, using two inertial Unruh-DeWitt detectors. We consider a variety of non-trivial trajectories for these accelerating mirrors and find (1) an entanglement inhibition phenomenon similar to that recently seen for black holes, as well as (2) trajectory-independent entanglement enhancement in some regimes. We show that the qualitative result obtained is the same for both linear and derivative couplings of the detector with the field.
A binned likelihood for stochastic models
Authors: Argüelles C. A. , Schneider A. , Yuan T.
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Metrics of model goodness-of-fit, model comparison, and model parameter estimation are the main categories of statistical problems in science. Bayesian and frequentist methods that address these questions often rely on a likelihood function, which is the key ingredient in order to assess the plausibility of model parameters given observed data. In some complex systems or experimental setups, predicting the outcome of a model cannot be done analytically, and Monte Carlo techniques are used. In this paper, we present a new analytic likelihood that takes into account Monte Carlo uncertainties, appropriate for use in the large and small sample size limits. Our formulation performs better than semi-analytic methods, prevents strong claims on biased statements, and provides improved coverage properties compared to available methods.
Tensor chain and constraints in tensor networks
Authors: Ling Yi , Liu Yuxuan , Xian Zhuo-Yu , Xiao Yikang
Published: June 2019

Abstract

We develop our recent work on quantum error correction (QEC) and entanglement spectrum (ES) in tensor networks (arXiv:1806.05007). We propose a general framework for planar tensor network state with tensor constraints as a model for AdS
3/CFT
2 correspondence, which could be viewed as a generalization of hyperinvariant tensor networks recently proposed by Evenbly. We elaborate our proposal on tensor chains in a tensor network by tiling H
2 space and provide a diagrammatical description for general multi-tensor constraints in terms of tensor chains, which forms a generalized greedy algorithm. The behavior of tensor chains under the action of greedy algorithm is investigated in detail. In particular, for a given set of tensor constraints, a critically protected (CP) tensor chain can be figured out and evaluated by its average reduced interior angle. We classify tensor networks according to their ability of QEC and the flatness of ES. The corresponding geometric description of critical protection over the hyperbolic space is also given.
Delphi Study to Reach International Consensus Among Vascular Surgeons on Major Arterial Vascular Surgical Complications
Authors: de Mik S. M. L. , Stubenrouch F. E. , Legemate D. A. , Balm R. , Ubbink D. T. ,   the DISCOVAR Study Group, Balm R. , Becquemin J. P. , Blankensteijn J. D. , de Borst G. J. , Capoccia L. , Clair D. G. , Cronenwett J. L. , Davies A. H. , Elsman B. H. P. , Farber M. A. , Forbes T. L. , Goverde P. C. J. M. , van Herzeele I. , Hinchliffe R. J. , Jacobs D. L. , Jongkind V. , Liapis C. D. , Lönn L. , Montero‐Baker M. , Moore W. S. , Naylor A. R. , Overbeck K. , Resch T. A. , Ronchey S. , Sakalihasan N. , Sarac T. P. , Setacci C. , Sillesen H. , Veith F. J. , Verhagen H. J. , Verzini F. , Wiersema A. M.
Published: June 2019

Background

The complications discussed with patients by surgeons prior to surgery vary, because no consensus on major complications exists. Such consensus may improve informed consent and shared decision‐making. This study aimed to achieve consensus among vascular surgeons on which complications are considered ‘major’ and which ‘minor,’ following surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), carotid artery disease (CAD) and peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Methods

Complications following vascular surgery were extracted from Cochrane reviews, national guidelines, and reporting standards. Vascular surgeons from Europe and North America rated complications as major or minor on five‐point Likert scales via an electronic Delphi method. Consensus was reached if ≥ 80% of participants scored 1 or 2 (minor) or 4 or 5 (major).

Results

Participants reached consensus on 9–12 major and 6–10 minor complications per disease. Myocardial infarction, stroke, renal failure and allergic reactions were considered to be major complications of all three diseases. All other major complications were treatment specific or dependent on disease severity, e.g., spinal cord ischemia, rupture following AAA repair, stroke for CAD or deep wound infection for PAD.

Conclusion

Vascular surgeons reached international consensus on major and minor complications following AAA, CAD and PAD treatment. This consensus may be helpful in harmonizing the information patients receive and improving standardization of the informed consent procedure. Since major complications differed between diseases, consensus on disease‐specific complications to be discussed with patients is necessary.
Negative impact of malignant effusion on osimertinib treatment for non-small cell lung cancer harboring EGFR mutation
Authors: Kawamura Takahisa , Kenmotsu Hirotsugu , Kobayashi Haruki , Omori Shota , Nakashima Kazuhisa , Wakuda Kazushige , Ono Akira , Naito Tateaki , Murakami Haruyasu , Mori Keita , Endo Masahiro , Takahashi Toshiaki
Published: June 2019

3rd-generation epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), including osimertinib, have reasonable efficacy in non–small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC) with EGFR mutations. However, the efficacy of osimertinib in NSCLC patients with fluids, such as pleural, pericardial and abdominal effusions, is unclear. We evaluated the efficacy of osimertinib in this specific setting. NSCLC patients harboring EGFR T790 M mutations who experienced progressive disease after first EGFR-TKI treatment and started osimertinib treatment between April 2016 and August 2018 were retrospectively screened. In particular, we assessed the efficacy of osimertinib for NSCLC with EGFR T790 M mutations in patients who were diagnosed with EGFR T790 M mutation by malignant effusion. Among 90 patients with EGFR T790 M mutation who started osimertinib treatment after EGFR-TKI failure, 21 were diagnosed from malignant effusions excluding cerebrospinal fluid (F group) and 69 using other methods including tissue biopsies (NF group). Patient characteristics were well-balanced between the two groups. Overall response was 50%, and significantly worse in the F group (29%) than the NF group (57%; P = 0.025). Median progression-free survival with osimertinib treatment in the F group (7.1 months, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.3–14.0) was significantly shorter than that in the NF group (11.9 months, 95% CI: 9.5–16.0; P = 0.046)). Median drainage-free time was 10.9 months (95% CI: 1.4 months– not reached). The present study showed that the efficacy of osimertinib for NSCLC in which EGFR T790 M mutation is detected by malignant effusion may be less than in EGFR T790 M-mutated NSCLC detected by other methods.
Factors Associated with Low Sexual Desire in 45-Year-Old Men: Findings from the German Male Sex-Study
Authors: Meissner Valentin H. , Schroeter Lukas , Köhn Frank-Michael , Kron Martina , Zitzmann Michael , Arsov Christian , Imkamp Florian , Hadaschik Boris , Gschwend Jürgen E. , Herkommer Kathleen
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Although low sexual desire is 1 of the most common sexual dysfunctions in men, there is a lack of studies investigating associated factors in large, population-based samples of middle-aged men.

Aim

To survey the prevalence of low sexual desire in a population-based sample of 45-year-old German men and to evaluate associations with a broad set of factors.

Methods

Data were collected between April 2014–April 2016 within the German Male Sex-Study. Participants were asked to fill out questionnaires about 6 sociodemographic, 5 lifestyle, and 8 psychosocial factors, as well as 6 comorbidities and 4 factors of sexual behavior. Simple and multiple logistic regressions were used to assess potential explanatory factors.

Main Outcome Measures

We found a notable prevalence of low sexual desire in middle-aged men and detected associations with various factors.

Results

12,646 men were included in the analysis, and prevalence of low sexual desire was 4.7%. In the multiple logistic regression with backward elimination, 8 of 29 factors were left in the final model. Men having ≥2 children, higher frequency of solo-masturbation, perceived importance of sexuality, and higher sexual self-esteem were less likely to have low sexual desire. Premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, and lower urinary tract symptoms were associated with low sexual desire.

Clinical Implications

Low sexual desire is common in middle-aged men, and associating factors that can potentially be modified should be considered during assessment and treatment of sexual desire disorders.

Strengths & Limitations

The strength of our study is the large, population-based sample of middle-aged men and the broad set of assessed factors. However, because of being part of a prostate cancer screening trial, a recruiting bias is arguable.

Conclusion

Our study revealed that low sexual desire among 45-year-old men is a common sexual dysfunction, with a prevalence of nearly 5% and might be affected by various factors, including sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, as well as comorbidities and sexual behavior.
Protohistoric Marine Shell Working: New Evidence from Northern Illinois
Authors: McLeester Madeleine , Schurr Mark R. , Sterner Katherine M. , Ahlrichs Robert E.
Published: June 2019

In the US Midwest, the working of marine shell procured through vast trade networks has typically been associated with elite prestige economies and craft specialization at major Mississippian centers. Outside of these contexts, marine shell goods are often assumed to have been brought into communities as completed goods. A recent finding suggests that local, small-scale marine shell working occurred at an early seventeenth-century village in northern Illinois, Middle Grant Creek (11Wi2739). This finding represents the first probable evidence of marine shell working in the Midwest outside of large, Mississippian contexts. Consequently, this practice may be much more geographically and temporally expansive than previously thought. This evidence encourages a rethinking of marine shell finds whenever they are assumed to be imported as finished goods.
Clarification of the Concept of Risk Communication and its Role in Public Health Crisis Management in China
Authors: Qiu Wuqi , Chu Cordia
Published: June 2019

Risk communication plays a very important role in the prevention of public health crisis events and has been considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be 1 of the main functions of an emergency public health crisis. However, it is a relatively new research field in China, so many people have mistaken understandings of risk communication. This article will describe the concept and importance of risk communication and briefly introduce the role of risk communication in public health crisis management. It also provides information for the prevention of public health crisis events in the future.
New subfamily Indovolutinae and other volutids (Volutidae, Gastropoda) from the Eocene of Kutch, western India and their paleobiogeographic implications
Authors: Halder Kalyan , Das Shrestha
Published: June 2019

Seven species belonging to the gastropod family Volutidae are reported for the first time from Kutch, Gujarat, India. They arePrestrombusaff.Prestrombus rockeiCox, 1931,Indovoluta humberti(d'Archiac and Haime, 1854),Indovoluta multidentata(d'Archiac and Haime, 1854),Involuta daviesiCox, 1931,Involuta coxinew species,Athleta(Volutocorbis)harnaiensisCox, 1931, andLyriacf.Lyria punjabensisEames, 1952. Indovolutinae new subfamily, constituted of the Paleogene generaPrestrombusDouvillé, 1929,IndovolutaEames, 1956,InvolutaCox, 1931, andLyrischapaAldrich, 1911, and the Cretaceous genusGosaviaStoliczka, 1865, is proposed. These forms have elaborate development of columellar plaits. All of these genera evolved in the western part of the Indian subcontinent. They, exceptLyrischapa, also largely remained restricted to this area.Lyrischapaflourished in the Americas after possibly migrating through the southern margin of the relict Tethys Ocean and crossing the Atlantic Ocean. It is argued that the geographic and temporal restriction of this new subfamily was due to lecithotrophic larval development.

UUID:http://zoobank.org/14bc056f-1d2e-4674-b624-9eb8e856a1f0
Between strategy and protest: how policy demand, political dissatisfaction and strategic incentives matter for far-right voting
Authors: Cohen Denis
Published: June 2019

What attracts voters to far-right parties? Emphasizing the repercussions of far-right parties' past achievements on the mobilization of voters' electoral demand, this paper develops an argument of context-dependent strategic far-right voting. Far-right parties seek to mobilize on a combination of demand for nativist policies and anti-establishment protest sentiment. Their capacity of doing so, however, critically depends on the strategic incentives they supply. My findings from a comparative analysis based on six waves of the European Election Study show that far-right parties' past attainment of legislative strength boosts the credibility of their policy appeal and broadens the scope of their protest appeal whereas their participation in government jeopardizes their capacity to mobilize on popular discontent.
Chronicle of International Events
Authors: Stanton Otis G.
Published: June 2019

Abbreviations: Ann. sc. pol., Annates des sciences politiques, Paris; Ann. Vie Int., Annuaire de la Vie Internationale, Brussels; Arch, dipl., Archives Diplomatiques, Paris; B., boletin, bulletin, bolletino; P. A. U., bulletin of the Pan American Union, Washington; Clunet, J. de Dr. Int. Prive, Paris; Doc. dipl., France, Documents diplomatiques; B. Rel. Ext., Boletin de Relaciones Exteriores; Dr., droit, diritto, derecho; D. 0., Diario Oficial; For. rel., Foreign Relations of the United States; Ga., gazette, gaceta, gazzetta; Cd., Great Britain, Parliamentary Papers; Int., international, internacional, internazionale; J., journal; J. O.,

Journal Officiel, Paris; Vint. Sc, L’Internationalism Scientifique, The Hague; Mim. dipl., Memorial diplomatique, Paris; Monit., Moniteur beige, Brussels; N. R. G., Nouveau recueil generate de traites, Leipzig; Q. dipl., Questions diplomatiques et coloniales; R., review, revista, revue, rivista; Reichs G., Reichs-Gesetzblatt, Berlin; Stoats., Staatsblad, Groningen; State Papers, British and Foreign State Papers, London; Stat, at L., United States Statutes at Large; Titnes, the Times (London); Treaty ser., Great Britain, Treaty series.
Effects of Mediterranean diet supplemented with lean pork on blood pressure and markers of cardiovascular risk: findings from the MedPork trial
Authors: Wade Alexandra T. , Davis Courtney R. , Dyer Kathryn A. , Hodgson Jonathan M. , Woodman Richard J. , Murphy Karen J.
Published: June 2019

The Mediterranean diet offers a range of health benefits. However, previous studies indicate that the restricted consumption of red meat in the diet may affect long-term sustainability in non-Mediterranean countries. A 24-week randomised controlled parallel cross-over design compared a Mediterranean diet supplemented with 2–3 serves per week of fresh, lean pork (MedPork) with a low-fat control diet (LF). Thirty-three participants at risk of CVD followed each intervention for 8 weeks, with an 8-week washout period separating interventions. The primary outcome was home-measured systolic blood pressure. Secondary outcomes included diastolic blood pressure, fasting lipids, glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein (CRP), body composition and dietary adherence. During the MedPork intervention, participants achieved high adherence to dietary guidelines. Compared with the MedPork intervention, the LF intervention led to greater reductions in weight (Δ = −0·65; 95 % CI −0·04, −1·25 kg,P= 0·04), BMI (Δ = −0·25; 95 % CI −0·03, −0·47 kg/m2,P= 0·01) and waist circumference (Δ = −1·40; 95 % CI −0·45, −2·34 cm,P< 0·01). No significant differences were observed for blood pressure, lipids, glucose, insulin or CRP. These findings indicate that Australians are capable of adhering to a Mediterranean diet with 2–3 weekly serves of fresh, lean pork. Larger intervention studies are now required to demonstrate clinical efficacy of the diet in populations with elevated blood pressure.
Modulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α/cyclo-oxygenase-2 pathway associated with attenuation of intestinal mucosa inflammatory damage by Acanthopanax senticosus polysaccharides in lipopolysaccharide-challenged piglets
Authors: Fan Changyou , Han Jie , Liu Xianjun , Zhang Fei , Long Yingshan , Xie Qitao
Published: June 2019

Intestinal barrier inflammatory damage is commonly accompanied by hypoxia. The hypothesis that dietary Acanthopanax senticosus polysaccharides (ASPS) might modulate the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) signalling pathway and contribute to attenuate intestinal injury was tested in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged piglets. Thirty-six weaned pigs were randomly allocated to one of the following three groups: (1) basal diet + saline challenge; (2) basal diet + LPS challenge; (3) basal diet with 800 mg/kg ASPS + LPS challenge. LPS was injected at 15, 18 and 21 d, and intestinal sections were sampled following blood collection at 21 d . The results showed ASPS reversed (P < 0·05) LPS-induced decrease in average daily feed intake and rise (P < 0·05) of diarrhoea incidence and index. Biochemical index reflecting gut barrier damage and function involving ileal pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β) and enzyme activity (diamine oxidase and lactase), as well as circulatory d-xylose, was normalised (P < 0·05) in LPS-challenged piglets receiving ASPS. ASPS also ameliorated intestinal morphological deterioration of LPS-challenged piglets, proved by elevated ileal villus height (P < 0·05) and improved appearance of epithelial villus and tight junction ultrastructure. Moreover, ASPS prevented LPS-induced amplification of inflammatory mediators, achieved by depressed ileal mRNA abundance of TNF-α, inducible NO synthase and IL-1β concentration. Importantly, ileal protein expressions of HIF-1α, cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) and NFκB p65 were also suppressed with ASPS administration (P < 0·05). Collectively, these results suggest the improvement of mucosal inflammatory damage and diarrhoea in immune stress piglets is possibly associated with a novel finding where HIF-1α/COX-2 pathway down-regulation is involved in NFκB p65-inducible releasing of inflammatory cytokines by dietary ASPS.
‘Lombardic’
Authors: Garrod H. W.
Published: June 2019

Ellis, in his Prolegomena to Catullus (pp. iv sqq., 1867), is at some pains to refute the opinion of J. J. Scaliger that the Archetype of our MSS. of Catullus was written in ‘Lombardic’ characters, and gives reasons—some of which require qualification—for presuming a ‘Merovingian’ original. He would have saved himself a good deal of trouble if he had stopped to ask what Scaliger meant by ‘Lombardic.’
Debentures of Trading Companies as Investments for Life Assurance Funds, considered in their Legal and Financial Aspects
Authors: Barrand Arthur Rhys
Published: June 2019

The subject I have chosen for my paper is one which needs no apology for its introduction to this Institute, closely connected as it is with one of the most pressing problems which those responsible for the management of a life assurance office have to deal with at the present time. It is, no doubt, difficult, in the face of the eager competition which has to be encountered, to increase the business of an office; but it is scarcely less difficult to satisfactorily invest the surplus arising from the premiums when they are obtained. One is reminded of the picture which appeared a few years ago in Punch, in which a Dean, importuned for alms by a beggar, exclaims, “Ah, my good “woman, it is not the poor only who have their troubles; you, “for instance, have probably never experienced the difficulty of “finding investments, combining adequate security with a “remunerative rate of interest”! It is probable that she had not, but it is equally probable that the actuary of every assurance company in this country has already experienced the difficulty, and is likely to experience it increasingly in the future. The investments which, in the past, have found favour with life assurance companies, have not increased in proportion to the increase of the funds to be invested.
Some Notes on Makeham's Formula for the Force of Mortality
Authors: Calderon H. P.
Published: June 2019

The first object of the present paper is to bring before the members of the Institute some model tables, which I have constructed shewing the force of mortality and the expectations of life based on a single value of log c, combined with certain constant values of A in the formula

Finding some time since, in connection with some work then in hand, that many conveniences would result from model tables on Makeham's hypothesis with which to compare the deduced functions of an ungraduated table, I gave some consideration to the most general form in which such a work could best be accomplished, resulting in the Tables, Nos. I, II, III, and IV, which I have the honour to lay before you this evening.
“Data for the Problem of Evolution in Man. V. On the Correlation between Duration of Life and the Number of Offspring”
Authors: Beeton M. , Yule G. U. , Pearson Karl
Published: June 2019

According to the Darwinian theory of evolution the members of a community less fitted to their environment are removed by death. But this process of natural selection would not permanently modify a race, if the members thus removed were able before death to propagate their species in average numbers. It then becomes an important question to ascertain how far duration of life is related to fertility. In the case of many insects death can interfere only with their single chance of offspring; they live or not for their one breeding season only. A similar statement holds good with regard to annual and biennial plants. In such cases there might still be a correlation between duration of life and fertility, but it would be of the indirect character, which we actually find in the case of men and women living beyond sixty years of age—a long life means better physique and better physique increased fertility. On the other hand, there is a direct correlation of fertility and duration of life in the case of those animals which generally survive a number of breeding seasons, and it is this correlation which we had at first in view when investigating the influence of duration of life on fertility in man. The discovery of the indirect factor in the correlation referred to above was therefore a point of much interest. For it seems to show that the physique fittest to survive is really the physique which is in itself (and independently of the duration of life) most fecund.
American Valuation Tables
Authors: Hutcheson William Anderson
Published: June 2019

All members of the Institute are more or less conversant with the “field” work of American Life Insurance Companies, but comparatively few have had the opportunity of becoming acquainted with the “inside” methods of these Institutions, which, as might be supposed, differ in many respects from the methods of British Companies. One of these differences is that Valuation Tables are much more extensively used there than in Britain, and it is not surprising, therefore, that various Valuation Tables have, from time to time, been published in America. No notice seems to have been taken of them in the Journal, so I propose, in the first place, to indicate briefly the contents of these publications, and then to refer to some of the American methods which necessitate the existence of these various Tables.
Vaccination and the Act of 1898
Authors: Burridge Arthur Francis
Published: June 2019

Our Journal contains singularly little information on Vaccination—a brief remark by S. H. Ward, M.D., in 1860 (J.I.A., viii, 339); some paragraphs in a general paper by H. W. Porter, in the same year (J.I.A., ix, 151); and a paper by Dr. Sprague in 1877 (J.I.A., xx, 216), are the only references to the subject that I have been able to trace.
Temporary Assurances
Authors: Elderton William Palin
Published: June 2019

The subject of Temporary Assurances has been suggested as one that would be of interest to Members of the Institute of Actuaries, and the present paper is an attempt to examine the mortality among lives who have been assured by this class of policy. All the particulars that have been used are given in the “Combined Experience of Assured Lives—Endowment Assurances and Minor Classes of Assurance” (C. & E. Layton, 1900), but for convenience of reference Table I has been extracted and gives the experience in a slightly altered form for the durations 0–4 years, and Table II shows the groups into which the data were thrown so as to render them less uneven. The reason for omitting the experience beyond duration “4” was that it is generally assumed for practical purposes that selection has worn off by that time.
On the Graduation of the British Offices Annuity Experience (1863–1983), by the Graphic Method
Authors: Chatham James
Published: June 2019

The Joint Committee on Mortality Investigation asked Dr. Sprague some time ago to graduate the Annuity Experience by the Graphic Method with the view of determining the period during which selection lasts; but as he was too fully occupied to allow of his personally undertaking the proposed graduation, the work was undertaken by the writer on principles arranged in consultation with Dr. Sprague.
On The Valuation of Whole-Life Industrial Assurances, with allowance for Lapses
Authors: Ackland Thomas G. , Bacon James
Published: June 2019

The subject of lapses or secessions has received comparatively little attention from writers in the Journal of the Institute. The question of secessions in connection with the valuation of Friendly Societies has been incidentally dealt with by Mr. G. F. Hardy (vol. xxvii, p. 312), and Mr. A. W. Watson (vol. xxxv, p. 313). Mr. A. Hunter, in his paper on “The effect of using the Lapse Element in calculating Premiums and Reserves” (vol. xxxvi, p. 51), makes some interesting comparisons of policy reserves, with and without allowance for discontinuances, but limits his investigations to the first 10 years of assurance, with a rate of exit over that period deduced from the tabulated HM data. One of the present writers has also contributed to the Journal (vol. xxxiii, p. 164) an account of the methods followed and results arrived at in the valuation, with and without allowance for lapses, of Clerks' Associations granting benefits to their members during unemployment, but the results arrived at are, of course, only applicable to those particular Societies.
Social Conditions as affecting Widows' and Orphans' Pension Funds
Authors: Allin S. J. H. W.
Published: June 2019

The subject of Widows' and Orphans' Pension Funds occupies but a very small space in the pages of the Journal of our Institute. Indeed, until Mr. Manly's classic paper was written in 1903 (J.I.A., xxxviii, pp. 101 et seq.) there had appeared no paper from which the student could glean any information on this branch of our work.
A Review of the Investments of Offices in recent years, with notes on Stock Exchange Fluctuations and the future rate of interest
Authors: Newman Philip L.
Published: June 2019

The principles of investments proper to Life Offices were laid down many years ago by Mr. S. Brown and Mr. A. H. Bailey, and Mr. A. G. Mackenzie summarized them conveniently at the beginning of his paper “On the Practice and Powers of Assurance” Companies in regard to the Investment of their Life Assurance “Funds” in 1891 (J.I.A., xxix, 185). These principles may be said to be the laws which govern our practice; but as in all such matters, it is the application of the law which is of importance, it may serve a useful purpose to-night to review, in the first place, recent changes in the investments of the Offices and ascertain their tendency; secondly,to consider the nature and causes of the fluctuations in values which have recently been strikingly prominent, and finally to make some rough forecast of the future.

It is at once apparent, from the nature of securities easily convertible at short notice, that though suitable for bankers, they are not specially adapted for insurance companies, whilst another great class of investors, namely, trustees and executors, are usually limited to particularly well-secured investments, either by law, or by special provisions incorporated in the settlements or the wills under which they act. The resulting competition in these classes of gilt-edged securities is keen, large sums constantly coming on the market for investment, so that the rates of interest yielded are comparatively low, a fact which tends to drive investors not so limited in power further afield. It is not surprising, therefore, to find that many insurance companies have of late years enlarged their power of investment, as it is now recognized that to give ample discretionary power is the wisest policy.
Some Financial and Statistical Considerations of the Old Age Pension Scheme
Authors: Marr Vyvyan
Published: June 2019

There are many references in the pages of the Journal to Old Age Pensions, and in view of the Act of last year the subject—from a financial and statistical aspect—may be discussed without transgressing on questions of State policy. I therefore venture to submit the following notes of some of the financial and statistical questions involved, stimulated in so doing by Mr. G. F. Hardy's statement in his Presidential Address, that he believed our most important work lies in the proper application of actuarial principles to the many practical questions which arise from time to time.

Old age pensions ranging from 1s. to 5s. a week according to the yearly means of the pensioners are granted to British subjects resident in the United Kingdom who have attained the age of seventy years, provided their yearly means do not exceed ￡31 10s., and provided they are not disqualified on the ground of Poor Law Relief, imprisonment, or the other reasons set forth in Section 3 of the Act.
On the Superannuation and Pension Funds of Certain Metropolitan Borough Councils, their Establishment, Administration, and Actuarial Investigation
Authors: Manly Henry William , Ackland Thomas Gans , Clinton Louis Ernest
Published: June 2019

The Metropolitan Boroughs in their existing form were established by the London Government Act, 1899 (62 and 63 Vict., Ch. 14), by the provisions of which the Vestries and District Boards and Metropolitan Board of Works, constituted under the Metropolis Management Act, 1855 (18 and 19 Vict., Ch. 120), were replaced by 28 Boroughs, of which 19 consisted of former parishes, or combined parishes, 2 of District Boards, and 7 of Parliamentary Boroughs, or combined boroughs or districts, included within the area dealt with by the Act of 1899. The following particulars as to the population and rateable value of each Borough are taken from Whitaker’s Almanac for 1912. The yield from a rate of one penny in the £ of rateable value has also been added.
Some Aspects of the National Insurance Act, 1911 [Part 1—National Health Insurance]
Authors: Simmonds Reginald C.
Published: June 2019

The following paper is intended to deal in an indicative rather than an exhaustive manner with certain aspects of the Health Insurance Legislation which has come into force recently in this country, and to draw attention also to the main points of similarity and of distinction which a review of the more important analogous foreign schemes brings to light. Needless to say, there is no attempt to fan the dying embers of politico-journalistic controversy, and wherever an opinion is expressed it is given with such reasons as appear to the author to support it.
On the Estimated Age-Distribution of the Indian Population, as Recorded at the Census of 1911, and the Estimated Rates of Mortality, Deduced from a Comparison of the Census Returns for 1901 and 1911
Authors: Ackland Thomas G.
Published: June 2019

The age-distribution, and the rates of mortality, of the male and female population, recorded by the General Census for India, have been investigated by Mr. G. F. Hardy, in connection with the separate Censuses of 1881,1891 and 1901. The methods adopted in his investigations, and the resulting tabular figures. are set out in Mr. Hardy's Reports to the Indian Government on these several Censuses, and these are summarized, as regards the 1881 Census, in a Paper submitted by him to the Institute, and published in Vol. XXV of the Journal, p. 217 et seq.