bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficient Maximum Likelihood Estimation for Pedigree Data with the Sum-Product Algorithm
Authors: Engelhardt Alexander , Rieger Anna , Tresch Achim , Mansmann Ulrich
Published: July 2017

Objective: We analyze data sets consisting of pedigrees with age at onset of colorectal cancer (CRC) as phenotype. The occurrence of familial clusters of CRC suggests the existence of a latent, inheritable risk factor. We aimed to compute the probability of a family possessing this risk factor as well as the hazard rate increase for these risk factor carriers. Due to the inheritability of this risk factor, the estimation necessitates a costly marginalization of the likelihood. Methods: We propose an improved EM algorithm by applying factor graphs and the sum-product algorithm in the E-step. This reduces the computational complexity from exponential to linear in the number of family members. Results: Our algorithm is as precise as a direct likelihood maximization in a simulation study and a real family study on CRC risk. For 250 simulated families of size 19 and 21, the runtime of our algorithm is faster by a factor of 4 and 29, respectively. On the largest family (23 members) in the real data, our algorithm is 6 times faster. Conclusion: We introduce a flexible and runtime-efficient tool for statistical inference in biomedical event data with latent variables that opens the door for advanced analyses of pedigree data.
Structural Changes of the Macula on Optical Coherence Tomography after Vitrectomy for Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Im Jong Chan , Kim Jong Ho , Park Dong Ho , Shin Jae Pil
Published: July 2017

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between macular structural changes and visual prognosis after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Methods: The study included 60 eyes that had undergone PPV. Macular optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings were classified into 5 groups preoperatively and 10 groups postoperatively. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were analyzed according to pre- and postoperative OCT. Results: From the preoperative OCT, normal fovea with/without traction, normal fovea with preretinal hemorrhage, and tractional retinal detachment involving fovea showed an increase in BCVA after PPV (all p < 0.05). Normal fovea, epiretinal membrane and macular thickening were common after surgery. Normal fovea, epiretinal membrane and edema outside of the fovea showed good visual prognosis (BCVA >20/50). Subfoveal fibrosis, macular hole, loss of foveal depression, and serous foveal detachment showed poor visual prognosis (BCVA <20/100). Conclusion: Macular structural changes were various after PPV, and visual prognosis correlated with these changes.
Predicting the Risk to Develop Preeclampsia in the First Trimester Combining Promoter Variant -98A/C of LGALS13 (Placental Protein 13), Black Ethnicity, Previous Preeclampsia, Obesity, and Maternal Age
Authors: Madar-Shapiro Liora , Karady Ido , Trahtenherts Alla , Syngelaki Argryo , Akolekar Ranjit , Poon Liona , Cohen Ruth , Sharabi-Nov Adi , Huppertz Berthold , Sammar Marei , Juhasz Kata , Than Nandor Gabor , Papp Zoltan , Romero Roberto , Nicolaides Kypros H. , Meiri Hamutal
Published: July 2017

Background:LGALS13 (placental protein 13 [PP13]) promoter DNA polymorphisms was evaluated in predicting preeclampsia (PE), given PP13's effects on hypotension, angiogenesis, and immune tolerance. Methods: First-trimester plasma samples (49 term and 18 intermediate) of PE cases matched with 196 controls were collected from King's College Hospital, London, repository. Cell-free DNA was extracted and the LGALS13 exons were sequenced after PCR amplification. Expression of LGALS13 promoter reporter constructs was determined in BeWo trophoblast-like cells with luciferase assays. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) was calculated for the A/A genotype combined with maternal risk factors. Results: The A/A, A/C, and C/C genotypes in the -98 promoter position were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in the control but not in the PE group (p < 0.036). The dominant A/A genotype had higher frequency in the PE group (p < 0.001). The A/C and C/C genotypes protected from PE (p < 0.032). The ORs to develop term and all PE, calculated for the A/A genotype, previous PE, body mass index (BMI) >35, black ethnicity, and maternal age >40 were 15.6 and 11.0, respectively (p < 0.001). In luciferase assays, the “-98A” promoter variant had lower expression than the “-98C” variant in non-differentiated (-13%, p = 0.04) and differentiated (-26%, p < 0.001) BeWo cells. Forskolin-induced differentiation led to a larger expression increase in the “-98C” variant than in the “-98A” variant (4.55-fold vs. 3.85-fold, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Lower LGALS13 (PP13) expression with the “A” nucleotide in the -98 promoter region position (compared to “C”) and high OR calculated for the A/A genotype in the -98A/C promoter region position, history of previous PE, BMI >35, advanced maternal age >40, and black ethnicity could serve to aid in PE prediction in the first trimester.
Higher Rates of Operative Delivery and Maternal and Neonatal Complications in Persistent Occiput Posterior Position with a Large Head Circumference: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Yagel Oren , Cohen Sarah M. , Lipschuetz Michal , Bdolah-Abram Tali , Amsalem Hagai , Kabiri Doron , Yagel Simcha
Published: July 2017

Introduction: We investigated whether large head circumference (HC) combined with persistent occiput posterior (OP) position is associated with higher rates of operative delivery and obstetric and neonatal complications than OP deliveries without large HC or in occiput anterior (OA) position. Materials and Methods: Term singleton deliveries in our centers from January 2010 to December 2014, delivered in cephalic OA (n = 41,038) or OP position (n = 1,740), were assessed. We compared delivery modes, maternal and neonatal complications in OA versus OP deliveries, and HC ≥90th centile versus HC <90th centile in persistent OP position. Results: Persistent OP position combined with HC ≥90th centile was associated with higher rates of vacuum extraction and unplanned cesarean delivery than HC <90th centile in OP position (20.1 vs. 17.2%, OR 1.53 [95% CI 0.99-2.36], and 23.4 vs. 9.2%, OR 3.326 [95% CI 2.17-5.11], respectively). Rates of prolonged second stage of labor and neonatal intensive care unit admission were also increased compared to those in either OA position with HC ≥90th centile or OP position with HC <90th centile. Discussion: Large HC combined with OP position is associated with higher rates of operative delivery and prolonged second stage of labor compared to OP delivery with HC <90th centile. HC might be included with other measures to assess women in labor, as it is associated with fetal outcomes in OP deliveries.
A Modified Classification of Prognostic Factors Based on Pathological Stage and Tumor Regression Grade in Patients with Rectal Cancer Who Receive Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Suzuki Toshiyuki , Sadahiro Sotaro , Tanaka Akira , Okada Kazutake , Saito Gota , Miyakita Hiroshi , Akiba Takeshi , Yamamuro Hiroshi
Published: July 2017

Objective: The histologic response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) has been intimately related to outcomes in locally advanced rectal cancer. However, reliable prognostic factors have yet to be established. Subjects and Methods: The study group comprised 198 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who received CRT. A modified classification based on the combination of ypStage and tumor regression grade (TRG) was developed. ypStage II with TRG 2 was classified as ypTRGstage IIA, and ypStage II with TRG 3 or 4 was classified as ypTRGstage IIB. ypStage 0 and ypStage I were classified as ypTRGstage I, and ypStage III was classified as ypTRGstage III. Results: The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 83% in ypTRGstage I, 86% in ypTRGstage IIA, 57% in ypTRGstage IIB, and 60% in ypTRGstage III (p = 0.0001). The 5-year DFS in ypTRGstage IIA did not differ significantly from that in ypStage 0 (p = 0.865) or ypStage I (p = 0.585). The 5-year DFS in ypStage IIB did not differ from that in ypStage III (p = 0.912). Multivariate analysis showed that ypTRGstage was an independent risk factor for DFS. Conclusion: A modified classification allows patients with ypStage II locally advanced rectal cancer to be clearly divided into two groups: responders and nonresponders.
Chronic Kidney Disease Predicts Survival in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Ikezoe Kohei , Handa Tomohiro , Tanizawa Kiminobu , Yokoi Hideki , Kubo Takeshi , Aihara Kensaku , Sokai Akihiko , Nakatsuka Yoshinari , Hashimoto Seishu , Uemasu Kiyoshi , Sato Susumu , Muro Shigeo , Nagai Sonoko , Yanagita Motoko , Chin Kazuo , Hirai Toyohiro , Taguchi Yoshio , Mishima Michiaki
Published: July 2017

Background: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) increases with age as with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Objectives: We assessed the prevalence of CKD (stages 3-5) and investigated the relationship of CKD to clinical features and outcomes in patients with IPF. Methods: This study comprised 123 patients with IPF; 61 subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which was reportedly associated with CKD, were also enrolled as a disease control. CKD (stages 3-5) was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Results: Thirty-seven patients (30%) with IPF and 14 controls (23%) with COPD were diagnosed with CKD, and these frequencies were not significantly different. The patients with IPF and CKD were older (p < 0.01) and had a higher frequency of hypertension (p = 0.048) and ischemic heart disease (p = 0.02) than those with IPF but without CKD. Furthermore, the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and the 6-min walking distance in the patients with CKD were significantly lower (40.0 ± 13.2 vs. 45.9 ± 14.4%, p = 0.04, and 416 ± 129 vs. 474 ± 84 m, p = 0.01, respectively) than in the patients without CKD. The outcome of the patients with CKD showed significantly worse survival compared with the patients without CKD (p = 0.04). Moreover, eGFR remained an independent predictor of survival after adjusting for age and pulmonary function data. Conclusion: A substantial percentage of IPF patients have CKD. CKD with a low eGFR was associated with decreased survival in IPF.
Consequences of warfarin suspension after major bleeding in very elderly patients with non valvular atrial fibrillation
Authors: Zoppellaro Giacomo , Granziera Serena , Bertozzo Giulia , Denas Gentian , Marigo Lucia , Petruzzellis Florinda , Jose Seena , Rossi Katia , Nante Giovanni , Pengo Vittorio
Published: July 2017

Supplementary Material to this article is available online at www.thrombosis-online.com.
PI3K and Calcium Signaling in Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Ghigo Alessandra , Laffargue Muriel , Li Mingchuan , Hirsch Emilio
Published: July 2017

Receptor signaling relays on intracellular events amplified by secondary and tertiary messenger molecules. In cardiomyocytes and smooth muscle cells, cyclic AMP (cAMP) and subsequent calcium (Ca
2+
) fluxes are the best characterized receptor-regulated signaling events. However, most of receptors able to modify contractility and other intracellular responses signal through a variety of other messengers, and whether these signaling events are interconnected has long remained unclear. For example, the PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) pathway connected to the production of the lipid second messenger PIP3/PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 (phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate) is potentially involved in metabolic regulation, activation of hypertrophy, and survival pathways. Recent studies, highlighted in this review, started to interconnect PI3K pathway activation to Ca
2+
signaling. This interdependency, by balancing contractility with metabolic control, is crucial for cells of the cardiovascular system and is emerging to play key roles in disease development. Better understanding of the interplay between Ca
2+
and PI3K signaling is, thus, expected to provide new ground for therapeutic intervention. This review explores the emerging molecular mechanisms linking Ca
2+
and PI3K signaling in health and disease.
TPL2 (Therapeutic Targeting Tumor Progression Locus-2)/ATF4 (Activating Transcription Factor-4)/SDF1α (Chemokine Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-α) Axis Suppresses Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Lai De-Wei , Lin Keng-Hung , Sheu Wayne Huey-Herng , Lee Maw-Rong , Chen Chung-Yu , Lee Wen-Jane , Hung Yi-Wen , Shen Chin-Chang , Chung Tsung-Ju , Liu Shing-Hwa , Sheu Meei-Ling
Published: July 2017

Rationale:

Diabetic retinopathy is characterized by vasopermeability, vascular leakage, inflammation, blood–retinal barrier breakdown, capillary degeneration, and neovascularization. However, the mechanisms underlying the association between diabetes mellitus and progression retinopathy remain unclear.

Objective:

TPL2 (tumor progression locus 2), a serine-threonine protein kinase, exerts a pathological effect on vascular angiogenesis. This study investigated the role of N
ε
-(carboxymethyl)lysine, a major advanced glycation end products, and the involved TPL2-related molecular signals in diabetic retinopathy using models of in vitro and in vivo and human samples.

Methods and Results:

Serum N
ε
-(carboxymethyl)lysine levels and TPL2 kinase activity were significantly increased in clinical patients and experimental animals with diabetic retinopathy. Intravitreal administration of pharmacological blocker or neutralizing antibody inhibited TPL2 and effectively suppressed the pathological characteristics of retinopathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic animal models. Intravitreal VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) neutralization also suppressed the diabetic retinopathy in diabetic animal models. Mechanistic studies in primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells and primary retinal microvascular endothelial cells from streptozotocin-diabetic rats, db/db mice, and samples from patients with diabetic retinopathy revealed a positive parallel correlation between N
ε
-(carboxymethyl)lysine and the TPL2/chemokine SDF1α (stromal cell–derived factor-α) axis that is dependent on endoplasmic reticulum stress-related molecules, especially ATF4 (activating transcription factor-4).

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates that inhibiting the N
ε
-(carboxymethyl)lysine-induced TPL2/ATF4/SDF1α axis can effectively prevent diabetes mellitus–mediated retinal microvascular dysfunction. This signaling axis may include the therapeutic potential for other diseases involving pathological neovascularization or macular edema.
RNA-Seq Identifies Circulating miR-125a-5p, miR-125b-5p, and miR-143-3p as Potential Biomarkers for Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Tiedt Steffen , Prestel Matthias , Malik Rainer , Schieferdecker Nicola , Duering Marco , Kautzky Veronika , Stoycheva Ivelina , Böck Julia , Northoff Bernd H. , Klein Matthias , Dorn Franziska , Krohn Knut , Teupser Daniel , Liesz Arthur , Plesnila Nikolaus , Holdt Lesca Miriam , Dichgans Martin
Published: July 2017

Rationale:

Currently, there are no blood-based biomarkers with clinical utility for acute ischemic stroke (IS). MicroRNAs show promise as disease markers because of their cell type–specific expression patterns and stability in peripheral blood.

Objective:

To identify circulating microRNAs associated with acute IS, determine their temporal course up to 90 days post-stroke, and explore their utility as an early diagnostic marker.

Methods and Results:

We used RNA sequencing to study expression changes of circulating microRNAs in a discovery sample of 20 patients with IS and 20 matched healthy control subjects. We further applied quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in independent samples for validation (40 patients with IS and 40 matched controls), replication (200 patients with IS, 100 healthy control subjects), and in 72 patients with transient ischemic attacks. Sampling of patient plasma was done immediately upon hospital arrival. We identified, validated, and replicated 3 differentially expressed microRNAs, which were upregulated in patients with IS compared with both healthy control subjects (miR-125a-5p [1.8-fold;
P
=1.5×10
−6
], miR-125b-5p [2.5-fold;
P
=5.6×10
−6
], and miR-143-3p [4.8-fold;
P
=7.8×10
−9
]) and patients with transient ischemic attack (miR-125a-5p:
P
=0.003; miR-125b-5p:
P
=0.003; miR-143-3p:
P
=0.005). Longitudinal analysis of expression levels up to 90 days after stroke revealed a normalization to control levels for miR-125b-5p and miR-143-3p starting at day 2 while miR-125a-5p remained elevated. Levels of all 3 microRNAs depended on platelet numbers in a platelet spike-in experiment but were unaffected by chemical hypoxia in Neuro2a cells and in experimental stroke models. In a random forest classification, miR-125a-5p, miR-125b-5p, and miR-143-3p differentiated between healthy control subjects and patients with IS with an area under the curve of 0.90 (sensitivity: 85.6%; specificity: 76.3%), which was superior to multimodal cranial computed tomography obtained for routine diagnostics (sensitivity: 72.5%) and previously reported biomarkers of acute IS (neuron-specific enolase: area under the curve=0.69; interleukin 6: area under the curve=0.82).

Conclusions:

A set of circulating microRNAs (miR-125a-5p, miR-125b-5p, and miR-143-3p) associates with acute IS and might have clinical utility as an early diagnostic marker.
Sex Differences in the Use of Oral Anticoagulants for Atrial Fibrillation: A Report From the National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR
®
) PINNACLE Registry
Authors: Thompson Lauren E. , Maddox Thomas M. , Lei Lanyu , Grunwald Gary K. , Bradley Steven M. , Peterson Pamela N. , Masoudi Frederick A. , Turchin Alexander , Song Yang , Doros Gheorghe , Davis Melinda B. , Daugherty Stacie L.
Published: July 2017

Background

Despite higher thromboembolism risk, women with atrial fibrillation have lower oral anticoagulation (
OAC
) use compared to men. The influence of the
CHA
2
DS
2
‐
VAS
c score or the introduction of non–vitamin K
OAC
s on this relationship is not known.

Methods and Results

Using the
PINNACLE
National Cardiovascular Data Registry from 2008 to 2014, we compared the association of sex with
OAC
use (warfarin or non–vitamin K
OAC
s) overall and by
CHA
2
DS
2
‐
VAS
c score and examined temporal trends in
OAC
use by sex. Multivariable regression models assessed the association between sex and
OAC
use in those with
CHA
2
DS
2
‐
VAS
c scores ≥2. Temporal analyses assessed changes in
OAC
use by sex over time. Of the 691 906 atrial fibrillation patients, 48.5% were women. Women were significantly less likely than men to use any
OAC
overall (56.7% versus 61.3%;
P
<0.001) and at all levels of
CHA
2
DS
2
‐
VAS
c score (adjusted risk ratio 9% to 33% lower, all
P
<0.001). Compared to other thromboembolic risk factors, female sex was associated with lower use of
OAC
(risk ratio 0.90, 95%
CI
0.90‐0.91). Over time, non–vitamin K
OAC
use increased at a slightly higher rate in women (56.2% increase per year, 95%
CI
54.6% to 57.9%) compared to men (53.6% increase per year, 95%
CI
52.0% to 55.2%), yet women remained less likely to receive any
OAC
at all time points (
P
<0.001).

Conclusions

Among patients with atrial fibrillation, women were significantly less likely to receive
OAC
at all levels of the
CHA
2
DS
2
‐
VAS
c score. Despite increasing non–vitamin K
OAC
use, women had persistently lower rates of
OAC
use compared to men over time.
Correlation of Admission Heart Rate With Angiographic and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Right Coronary Artery ST‐Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: HORIZONS‐AMI (The Harmonizing Outcomes With Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction) Trial
Authors: Kosmidou Ioanna , McAndrew Thomas , Redfors Björn , Embacher Monica , Dizon José M. , Mehran Roxana , Ben‐Yehuda Ori , Mintz Gary S. , Stone Gregg W.
Published: July 2017

Background

Bradycardia on presentation is frequently observed in patients with right coronary artery
ST
‐segment elevation myocardial infarction, but it is largely unknown whether it predicts poor angiographic or clinical outcomes in that patient population. We sought to determine the prognostic implications of admission heart rate (
AHR
) in patients with
ST
‐segment elevation myocardial infarction and a right coronary artery culprit lesion.

Methods and Results

We analyzed 1460 patients with
ST
‐segment elevation myocardial infarction and a right coronary artery culprit lesion enrolled in the randomized HORIZONS‐AMI (Harmonizing Outcomes with Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction) trial who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients presenting with high‐grade atrioventricular block were excluded. Outcomes were examined according to
AHR
range (
AHR
<60, 61–79, 80–99, and ≥100 beats per minute). Baseline and procedural characteristics did not vary significantly with
AHR
except for a more frequent history of diabetes mellitus, longer symptom‐to‐balloon time, more frequent cardiogenic shock, and less frequent restoration of thrombolysis in myocardial infarction 3 flow in patients with admission tachycardia (
AHR
>100 beats per minute). Angiographic analysis showed no significant association between
AHR
and lesion location or complexity. On multivariate analysis, admission bradycardia (
AHR
<60 beats per minute) was not associated with increased 1‐year mortality (hazard ratio 1.33; 95%
CI
0.41–4.34,
P
=0.64) or major adverse cardiac events (hazard ratio 1.08; 95%
CI
0.62–1.88,
P
=0.78), whereas admission tachycardia was a strong independent predictor of mortality (hazard ratio 5.02; 95%
CI
1.95–12.88,
P
=0.0008) and major adverse cardiac events (hazard ratio 2.20; 95%
CI
1.29–3.75,
P
=0.0004).

Conclusions

In patients with
ST
‐segment elevation myocardial infarction and a right coronary artery culprit lesion undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention, admission bradycardia was not associated with increased mortality or major adverse cardiac events at 1 year.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL
:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier:
NCT
00433966.
Haplodeficiency of Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Accelerates Heart Failure After Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Jia Lixin , Zhang Wenmei , Ma Youcai , Chen Boya , Liu Yan , Piao Chunmei , Wang Yuan , Yang Min , Liu Tingting , Zhang Junmeng , Li Taotao , Nie Shaoping , Du Jie
Published: July 2017

Background

Cell senescence is involved in the process of organ damage and repair; however, the underlying molecular mechanism needs to be further explored.

Methods and Results

Senescence‐related genes (ie, p21, p53, and ataxia telangiectasia mutated [ATM]) were shown to be elevated after myocardial infarction (
MI
) in both mouse and human hearts. Ten‐ to 12‐week‐old male wild‐type littermates (
ATM
+/+
) and
ATM
heterozygous mice (
ATM
+/−
) were subjected to
MI
. Cardiac echography showed that
ATM
haplodeficiency did not affect the survival rate but aggravated heart failure at day 28 post
MI
. Histologic analysis showed increased fibrosis in the noninfarct area of
ATM
+/−
mice compared with that in
ATM
+/+
mice. Senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase staining showed that the number of senescent fibroblasts was decreased when
ATM
was haplodeficient both in vivo and in vitro. Costaining of α‐smooth muscle actin with p53 or p19 showed fewer senescent myofibroblasts in
ATM
+/−
mouse hearts. Moreover, angiogenesis was also examined using the endothelial markers
CD
31 both at early (day 7) and late stages (day 28) after
MI
, and
ATM
haplodeficiency reduced angiogenesis after
MI
. Finally, cardiac fibroblasts were isolated from infarcted mouse heart and the medium were tested for its capacity of endothelial tubing formation, revealing that
ATM
haplodeficiency led to lower vascular endothelial growth factor production from cardiac fibroblast and reduced capacity of endothelial tube formation in vitro.

Conclusions

The present study shows that
ATM
haplodeficiency decreases fibroblast senescence and vascular endothelial growth factor production and impaired angiogenesis in response to
MI
, leading to accelerated heart failure.
Defence Diplomacy in the Long War
Authors: Blannin Patrick
Published: July 2017

One of the most dominant security issues of twenty-first century has been theu.s.led battle against transnational terrorism—the aptly named Long War. Over the past fifteen years the Long War has been examined using multiple perspectives; however, one central mechanism is missing in current analyses: defence diplomacy. Defence diplomacy enhances the diplomatic and security capacity of a state, providing the only link between executive office and the ministries of foreign affairs and defence, two vital institutions in the Long War. Using a case study ofu.s.defence diplomacy in Afghanistan from 2001–2014, the paper argues simply that the practice of defence diplomacy far outweighs current theories on what it is, how it works and why it matters? The paper aims to generate a more nuanced understanding of defence diplomacy, as well as identifying it as a key component of theu.s. ct/coinstrategy to achieve its Long War policy objectives.
Description of three new species of Periga Walker from the Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, São Paulo, southeastern Brazil and the resurrection of Automeris intermedius (Bouvier) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae, Hemileucinae, Hemileucini)
Authors: MIELKE CARLOS G. C. , JOERKE ELYANA G. , MIRANDA ALINE V. , COSTA JANE
Published: July 2017

Three species of Saturniidae (Hemileucinae), all belonging to Periga Walker, 1855, are recognized as new and are described as: P. paranapiacaba sp. nov., P. faustinoi sp. nov., and P. intervales sp. nov. The Periga gueneei species-group is proposed to accommodate P. gueneei (Lemaire, 1973) and the new species P. intervales sp. n. described here. The status of another Saturniidae species is revised: Automeris intermedius (Bouvier, 1929), stat. rev., which is removed from the synonymy with A. nubila Walker, 1855. Habitus and illustrations of male genitalia are provided for all new species and both Automeris species. All holotypes are deposited in the Entomological Collection of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
ADCP Bias and Stokes Drift in AUV-Based Velocity Measurements
Authors: Amador André , Jaramillo Sergio , Pawlak Geno
Published: July 2017

A theoretical model is developed to describe how autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV)-based current measurements are influenced by a surface wave field. The model quantifies a quasi-Lagrangian, wave-induced velocity bias as a function of the local wave conditions, and the vehicle’s depth and velocity using a first-order expansion of the linear wave solution. The theoretical bias is verified via field experiments carried out off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii. Spatially averaged along- and cross-track AUV velocity measurements are calculated over one effective wavelength and compared with time-averaged, fixed ADCP measurements in a range of wave and current conditions. The wave-induced bias is calculated using wave directional spectra derived from fixed ADCP data. Ensemble-averaged velocity differences confirm the presence of the wave-induced bias O(1–5) cm s−1 and reveal an additional bias in the direction of the vehicle motion O(1) cm s−1. The analysis considers velocity measurements made using a Remote Environmental Monitoring Units (REMUS) 100 AUV, but the content applies to any small AUV (vehicle size wavelength) immersed in a wave field.
Forecast Impact of Assimilating Aircraft WVSS-II Water Vapor Mixing Ratio Observations in the Global Data Assimilation System (GDAS)
Authors: Hoover Brett T. , Santek David A. , Daloz Anne-Sophie , Zhong Yafang , Dworak Richard , Petersen Ralph A. , Collard Andrew
Published: July 2017

Automated aircraft observations of wind and temperature have demonstrated positive impact on numerical weather prediction since the mid-1980s. With the advent of the Water Vapor Sensing System (WVSS-II) humidity sensor, the expanding fleet of commercial aircraft with onboard automated sensors is also capable of delivering high quality moisture observations, providing vertical profiles of moisture as aircraft ascend out of and descend into airports across the continental United States. Observations from the WVSS-II have to date only been monitored within the Global Data Assimilation System (GDAS) without being assimilated. In this study, aircraft moisture observations from the WVSS-II are assimilated into the GDAS, and their impact is assessed in the Global Forecast System (GFS). A two-season study is performed, demonstrating a statistically significant positive impact on both the moisture forecast and the precipitation forecast at short range (12–36 h) during the warm season. No statistically significant impact is observed during the cold season.
Agents with Principles: The Control of Labor in the Dutch East India Company, 1700 to 1796
Authors: Wezel Filippo Carlo , Ruef Martin
Published: July 2017

Principal-agent problems plagued early modern corporations. The existing literature emphasizes the potential benefits provided by private trade in aligning the interests of company agents to those of their principals. We contribute to this line of work by analyzing the organizational and social mechanisms that may help address principal-agent problems in the presence of private trading opportunities. Drawing on personnel records of more than half a million seafarers employed by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) over nearly a century, we show that monitoring was effective in reducing desertion when private trade was conceived as a market activity subordinated to hierarchy. Social bonds were more effective in preventing desertion when the company elevated private trade above hierarchy. Our analysis clarifies how early corporations could maintain control over a geographically dispersed and diverse labor force in the absence of modern tools of organizational governance.
Cardiovascular Risk Factors Among Patients With Vestibular Neuritis
Authors: Oron Yahav , Shemesh Shay , Shushan Sagit , Cinamon Udi , Goldfarb Abraham , Dabby Ron , Ovnat Tamir Sharon
Published: July 2017

Objective:

To investigate the correlation between cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) and vestibular neuritis (VN) in hospitalized adult patients.

Methods:

A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary hospital setting. The medical records of patients (aged over 18 years old) who were hospitalized between the years 2005 and 2014 with the diagnosis of VN were retrieved. Inclusion criteria were: (1) acute vertigo lasting for at least 24 hours, (2) absence of auditory complaints, (3) horizontal unidirectional nystagmus present during physical examination, and (4) absence of neurological symptoms or signs. The ratio of CVRFs among VN patients was compared to the ratio of those among the general Israeli population.

Results:

A significantly higher prevalence of CVRFs was found among VN hospitalized patients in comparison to the general population ( P < .05). Furthermore, a significant correlation ( P < .001) was found between the patients’ age and the number of CVRFs (r = .387). A positive correlation (r = .643) was found between the number of CVRFs and VN in each age group ( P = .119).

Conclusion:

There may be a possible interrelation between CVRFs and VN. This correlation can be caused by occlusion of small blood vessels leading to labyrinthine ischemia and apparition of symptoms of VN.
Thermo-Optical Properties of Perfluorinated Sulfonic Acid Membranes: An Investigation of Hydration Based on Absorption Spectra
Authors: Dias Daniele T. , Lopes Guy , Ferreira Tales , Oliveira Ivanir L. , Rosa Caroline D.
Published: July 2017

The Nafion membranes are widely used in electrochemical applications such as fuel cells, chlor-alkali cells, and actuators–sensors. In this work, the thermal-optical characterization of Nafion in acid form was performed by photoacoustic spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry. In the experimental procedure three distinct hydration levels were considered: (1) pristine membrane (λ ≅ H2O/–SO3H ≅ 5.6); (2) swelling process (λ ≅ 17.4); and (3) drying at controlled room temperature after swelling process (λ ≅ 6.5). The discovered behaviors showed significant irreversible structural changes induced by water retention in the membrane. These structural changes depend on the water population present in the clusters and also affect the directional thermal diffusivity of the membrane irreversibly.
Raman Spectroscopy Combined with Principal Component Analysis for Screening Nasopharyngeal Cancer in Human Blood Sera
Authors: Khan Saranjam , Ullah Rahat , Javaid Samina , Shahzad Shaheen , Ali Hina , Bilal Muhammad , Saleem Muhammad , Ahmed Mushtaq
Published: July 2017

This study demonstrates the analysis of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) in human blood sera using Raman spectroscopy combined with the multivariate analysis technique. Blood samples of confirmed NPC patients and healthy individuals have been used in this study. The Raman spectra from all these samples were recorded using 785 nm laser for excitation. Important Raman bands at 760, 800, 815, 834, 855, 1003, 1220–1275, and 1524 cm−1, have been observed in both normal and NPC samples. A decrease in the lipids content, phenylalanine, and β-carotene, whereas increases in amide III, tyrosine, and tryptophan have been observed in the NPC samples. The two data sets were well separated using principal component analysis (PCA) based on Raman spectral data. The spectral variations between the healthy and cancerous samples have been further highlighted by plotting loading vectors PC1 and PC2, which shows only those spectral regions where the differences are obvious.
Who are the lonely? A typology of loneliness in New Zealand
Authors: Hawkins-Elder Hannah , Milfont Taciano L , Hammond Matthew D , Sibley Chris G
Published: July 2017

Background:

Loneliness has many negative physical and mental health ramifications and is most prevalent among vulnerable social groups. However, little is known about how loneliness is grouped within the population and the characteristics of those groups.

Methods:

We conducted a Latent Profile Analysis on 18,264 participants from the fifth wave of the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study to identify the number of distinct loneliness profiles in the population. Secondary analyses then determined the representation of various demographic and psychosocial characteristics of participants within each profile.

Results:

Analyses identified four distinct loneliness profiles: ‘high-loneliness’ (5.7%), ‘low-loneliness’ (57.9%), ‘appreciated outsiders’ (29.1%; who received acceptance from others but felt like social outsiders) and ‘superficially connected’ (7.2%; who showed the opposite pattern). ‘High-loneliness’ were the most introverted, emotionally unstable and poorest in wellbeing. ‘Appreciated outsiders’ and ‘superficially connected’ had moderate wellbeing, but ‘appreciated outsiders’ were relatively higher in wellbeing despite greater introversion and neuroticism.

Conclusion:

This research provides a typology of loneliness in New Zealand and identifies groups more likely to experience loneliness. The ‘appreciated outsiders’ and ‘superficially connected’ profiles provide fresh insight into how loneliness may manifest and the relative influences of quality and quantity of social contacts on wellbeing.
The (In)effectiveness of Voluntarily Produced Transparency Reports
Authors: Parsons Christopher
Published: July 2017

This article analyzes the relative effectiveness and limitations of companies’ voluntarily produced transparency reports in promoting change in firm and government behavior. Such reports are published by telecommunications companies and disclose how often and on what grounds government agencies compel customer data from these companies. These reports expose corporate behaviors while lifting the veil of governmental secrecy surrounding these kinds of compulsions. Fung, Graham, and Weil’s “targeted transparency” model is used to evaluate the extent to which these reports affect behavior. From the analysis, it is evident that telecommunications companies’ transparency reports are only partially effective; while firms may modify their reports to present more information, these reports do not necessarily induce government to more broadly reveal its own activities. The article ultimately suggests that voluntarily produced transparency reports may become more comparable with one another as a result of either corporate reports evolving in consultation with external stakeholders or following a crisis that prompts government or industry to adopt a given standard. Such standards may positively influence the effectiveness of reports while concealing as much about firm behaviors as they purport to reveal.
Electronic Immunization Alerts and Spillover Effects on Other Preventive Care
Authors: Kim Julia M. , Rivera Maria , Persing Nichole , Bundy David G. , Psoter Kevin J. , Ghazarian Sharon R. , Miller Marlene R. , Solomon Barry S.
Published: July 2017

The impact of electronic health record (EHR) immunization clinical alert systems on the delivery of other preventive services remains unknown. We assessed for spillover effects of an EHR immunization alert on delivery of 6 other preventive services, in children 18 to 30 months of age needing immunizations. We conducted a secondary data analysis, with additional primary data collection, of a randomized, historically controlled trial to improve immunization rates with EHR alerts, in an urban, primary care clinic. No significant differences were found in screening for anemia, lead, development, nutrition, and injury prevention counseling in children prompting EHR immunization alerts (n = 129), compared with controls (n = 135). Significant increases in oral health screening in patients prompting EHR alerts (odds ratio = 4.8, 95% CI = 1.8-13.0) were likely due to practice changes over time. An EHR clinical alert system targeting immunizations did not have a spillover effect on the delivery of other preventive services.
Neonatal Lemierre Syndrome: Youngest Reported Case and Literature Review
Authors: Raggio Blake S. , Grant Maria C. , Rodriguez Kimsey , Cripe Patrick J.
Published: July 2017

A previously healthy 5-week-old female was admitted for sepsis secondary to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia. After several days of hospitalization, she experienced acute decompensation in mental status despite having received targeted antibiotic therapy. Imaging revealed left peritonsillar/parapharyngeal space abscess, left venous thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein, and septic emboli of the lungs and brain consistent with Lemierre syndrome. Bedside needle aspiration of the parapharyngeal abscess confirmed MRSA involvement. Unfortunately, the patient continued to deteriorate over the next several days and life support was withdrawn on hospital day 16. We present the youngest reported case of Lemierre syndrome and review the literature.
Do Protestant Missionaries Undermine Political Authority? Evidence From Peru
Authors: Rink Anselm
Published: July 2017

The relation between religious organizations and political authority is notoriously tense. Max Weber argued that this is because both compete over the same resource: human commitment. This article revisits Weber’s hypothesis. Specifically, we explore two psychological mechanisms through which Protestant missionaries affect political authority: obedience and persuadability. Exploiting exogenous variation in missionary activity in Peru, we demonstrate that missionaries make converts more obedient, which we attribute to a theological and a social mechanism. Yet, we also find that missionaries make converts less susceptible to persuasion by political authorities because they shift attention from secular topics to questions of theological importance, and endorse a skeptical stance toward the government. Exploiting variation in treatment intensity, we argue that the degree to which political authority is affected depends on a given mission’s theological strictness. We arrive at these findings by combining experimental outcomes and process-tracing evidence using Bayesian integration.
Relative Accuracy of Two Modified Parallel Analysis Methods that Use the Proper Reference Distribution
Authors: Green Samuel , Xu Yuning , Thompson Marilyn S.
Published: July 2017

Parallel analysis (PA) assesses the number of factors in exploratory factor analysis. Traditionally PA compares the eigenvalues for a sample correlation matrix with the eigenvalues for correlation matrices for 100 comparison datasets generated such that the variables are independent, but this approach uses the wrong reference distribution. The proper reference distribution of eigenvalues assesses the kth factor based on comparison datasets with k−1 underlying factors. Two methods that use the proper reference distribution are revised PA (R-PA) and the comparison data method (CDM). We compare the accuracies of these methods using Monte Carlo methods by manipulating the factor structure, factor loadings, factor correlations, and number of observations. In the 17 conditions in which CDM was more accurate than R-PA, both methods evidenced high accuracies (i.e.,>94.5%). In these conditions, CDM had slightly higher accuracies (mean difference of 1.6%). In contrast, in the remaining 25 conditions, R-PA evidenced higher accuracies (mean difference of 12.1%, and considerably higher for some conditions). We consider these findings in conjunction with previous research investigating PA methods and concluded that R-PA tends to offer somewhat stronger results. Nevertheless, further research is required. Given that both CDM and R-PA involve hypothesis testing, we argue that future research should explore effect size statistics to augment these methods.
Energy Expenditure of Standing Compared to Sitting While Conducting Office Tasks
Authors: Burns Jill , Forde Cuisle , Dockrell Sara
Published: July 2017

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the energy expenditure of common office-based tasks. The objectives were to: (a) test the classification of tasks as sedentary or light-intensity physical activity and (b) compare the energy expenditure of tasks under two postural conditions (sitting and standing).

Background

The sedentary nature of office work has been highlighted as a health risk, and strategies to reduce sedentary behavior at work have been developed. However, there is limited evidence to guide the utilization of sit-stand workstations in the workplace for metabolic health benefits.

Method

A repeated measures laboratory-based study compared the energy expenditure of common office tasks in sitting and standing using indirect calorimetry ( n = 22). Four standardized tasks (sitting/standing quietly, reading, typing, sorting paper) under two postural conditions (sitting, standing) were performed in a randomized order.

Results

The mean energy expenditure for all tasks in sitting and standing was <1.5 METs. There were no significant differences in the energy expenditure of doing the same task in sitting compared to standing. In a repeated measures ANOVA, task ( p < .001) had a greater influence on METs expended than posture ( p = .030).

Conclusion

The study confirmed that the difference in energy expenditure of tasks carried out in sitting compared to standing is negligible.

Application

The ubiquitous use and utility of sit-stand workstations in the workplace needs to be reviewed. Notwithstanding the potential benefits of movement that may occur naturally, this study confirmed that standing as opposed to sitting does not produce a clinically important increase in energy expenditure.
A Vector Model Analysis of Individual Differences in Sensory Measurement of Surface Roughness
Authors: Inukai Yukio , Saito Sachiko , Mishima Ikuo
Published: July 2017

In order to investigate the structure of individual differences in sensory measurement of surface roughness, paired-comparisons data of judged roughness on metal surfaces were subjected to vector model analysis. Both of the derived most parsimonious configurations of test pieces for the data from tactual and visual experiments were two-dimensional and well-predicted by the physical variables of root mean square deviations in profile (Rrms) and mean spacing of profile irregularities (pitch). Individual differences were observed in the wide variety of weighted combinations of the two physical variables. The effects of training of inspectors on their structures of sensory measurement were clarified in the observed group differences. On the basis of these findings, some guidelines for instructing and training inspectors were discussed.
Headlight Glare Resistance and Driver Age
Authors: Pulling Nathaniel H. , Wolf Ernst , Sturgis Samuel P. , Vaillancourt Donald R. , Dolliver James J.
Published: July 2017

The physiological glare thresholds (defined as the logarithm of the ratio at threshold between illuminances of glare source and target background) of 148 subjects from 5 to 91 years of age were measured in a Wolf glare tester. The data can be represented by a power function: (physiological glare threshold) = -3 x 10-5 (age)2,4 + 2.4. When tested in a realistic driving simulator, the headlight glare resistance (defined as the logarithm of the ratio of mean "acceptable" glare illuminance to fixed ambient illuminance) of 30 of these subjects was also found to decline with age. These results are discussed in terms of a hypothesis: (headlight glare resistance) = (physiological glare threshold) + (subjective glare tolerance). All these functions have large interpersonal variation. Field measurements are provided on relevant glare ratios in typical night driving situations.
Parametric Assumptions of Some "Nonparametric" Measures of Sensory Efficiency
Authors: Caldeira John D.
Published: July 2017

Nonparametric measures of sensory efficiency suggested by Craig (1979) for use in sustained monitoring tasks are shown to be dependent on distributional assumptions when based on one point in ROC space.
The Range and Consistency of Individual Differences in Continuous Work
Authors: Morgan Ben B. , Winne Peter S. , Dugan Jean
Published: July 2017

Two five-man teams were trained to asymptotic levels of synthetic-work performance on a multiple-task performance battery (MTPB) which required subjects to time share five individual-performance tasks and one group-performance task. Each team was then exposed four times to continuous-work and sleep-loss stresses in a repeated-measures design. Performance levels were measured in terms of 13 individual-task measures and a general mean-percentage-of-baseline measure. Individual performance decrements were found to range from 0 to 40% below prestress levels. The findings also indicated that subjects responded consistently across the four exposures to continuous work and sleep loss. Furthermore, the subjects experienced a general performance decrement across all tasks rather than a task-specific one. These findings are discussed in terms of their important implications for the design of man-machine systems and the selection of operators who are most resistant to sleep-loss stress.