bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building mathematical models of biological systems with modelbase, a Python package for semi-automatic ODE assembly and construction of isotope-specific models
Authors: Ebenhöh O. , van Aalst M. , Saadat N.P. , Nies T. , Matuszyńska A.
Published: July 2018

The modelbase package is a free expandable Python package for building and analysing dynamic mathematical models of biological systems. Originally it was designed for the simulation of metabolic systems, but it can be used for virtually any deterministic chemical processes. modelbase provides easy construction methods to define reactions and their rates. Based on the rates and stoichiometries, the system of differential equations is assembled automatically. modelbase minimises the constraints imposed on the user, allowing for easy and dynamic access to all variables, including derived ones, in a convenient manner. A simple incorporation of algebraic equations is, for example, convenient to study systems with rapid equilibrium or quasi steady-state approximations. Moreover, modelbase provides construction methods that automatically build all isotope-specific versions of a particular reaction, making it a convenient tool to analyse non-steady state isotope-labelling experiments.
Budgetary solvency of Italian local governments: an assessment
Authors: Bisogno Marco , Cuadrado-Ballesteros Beatriz , Santis Serena , Citro Francesca
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate budgetary solvency (BS) as a part of the financial condition of local governments (LGs), considering that the growing demand for public services is primarily affecting this variable.

Design/methodology/approach

The study investigates a sample of 132 Italian LGs with more than 50,000 inhabitants for the period 2005–2014. The authors obtain a set of indicators as proxies of BS, which serve as the dependent variable of a regression model aimed at testing several independent variables which the authors are interested in, namely, financial autonomy, current equilibrium, level of indebtedness and investments.

Findings

BS, as well as its three indicators—sustainability, flexibility and vulnerability—are positively related to financial autonomy and current equilibrium and negatively related to the level of indebtedness and investments.

Practical implications

To cover citizens’ demands for public services guaranteeing sound financial management, policymakers are advised to control both the balance between current revenue and expenses and the level of indebtedness while preserving financial autonomy from external sources.

Originality/value

This study adds fresh insight to the literature on financial health, emphasising the relevance of public financial management.
Effect of build orientation on the strength and cost of PolyJet 3D printed parts
Authors: Das Sai Charan , Ranganathan Rajesh , N. Murugan
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of build orientation on the tensile properties of PolyJet 3D printed parts. Effects on manufacturing time and total cost per part are the secondary objectives.

Design/methodology/approach

Solid tensile specimens were prepared as per the American Society for Testing and Materials D638 standards and were manufactured in six different orientations by using the Objet260 Connex 3D printer. VeroWhitePlus RGD835 was used as the build material, with FullCure 705 as the support material. The specimens were tested for their tensile strength and elongation. The side surface and the fracture surface were analyzed using the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope-SIGMA HV-Carl Zeiss with Bruker Quantax 200-Z10 EDS detector. Scanning electron microscope images of each surface were obtained at various magnifications.

Findings

From the study, it can be concluded that build orientation has an influence on the tensile strength and the manufacturing cost of the parts. The microstructural analysis revealed that the orientation of surface cracks/voids may be the reason for the strength.

Originality/value

From literature survey, it is inferred that this study is sure to be among the first few under this topic. These results will help engineers to decide upon the right build orientations with respect to print head so that parts with better mechanical properties can be manufactured.
How do beginners learn to read irregular words as sight words?
Authors: Murray Bruce A. , McIlwain Mary Jane , Wang Chih‐hsuan , Murray Geralyn , Finley Stacie
Published: July 2018

Learning irregular words involves mental marking of irregular letters in the spelling, a process not fully understood. In a within‐subjects experiment, we manipulated the type of scaffolding given to beginning readers to evoke mental marking. We pretested to sort 103 kindergarten and first‐grade participants into sequential decoders, who decode letter by letter, and hierarchical decoders, who recognise vowel patterns. In the control phase, children read irregular words in sentence contexts with minimal scaffolding. In the experimental phase, participants read additional irregular words in sentence contexts by ‘operating on the word’ to mark irregular letters. Results indicated that the experimental condition induced better untimed word reading, but it did not improve spelling or reading in a flash presentation. Hierarchical decoders were significantly more successful than sequential decoders in untimed word reading, spelling and reading in the flash presentation. These results suggest that learning hierarchical decoding predisposes readers to learn irregular words.
Elevated Circulating Osteoprotegerin Levels in the Plasma of Hemodialyzed Patients With Severe Artery Calcification
Authors: Krzanowski Marcin , Krzanowska Katarzyna , Dumnicka Paulina , Gajda Mariusz , Woziwodzka Karolina , Fedak Danuta , Grodzicki Tomasz , Litwin Jan A , Sułowicz Władysław
Published: July 2018

We studied the correlations between circulating osteoprotegerin (OPG) level and radial artery calcification (RAC) assessed histologically and carotid artery intima‐media thickness (CCA‐IMT). Moreover, we studied the relationship between OPG levels and all‐cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality during a 5‐year observation period. The study comprised 59 CKD patients (36 hemodialyzed (HD), 23 predialysis). The biochemical parameters included: creatinine, calcium, phosphate, intact parathormone, C‐reactive protein, interleukin‐6, tumor necrosis factor receptor II (TNFRII), transforming growth factor‐β, hepatocyte growth factor, fibroblast growth factor 23, osteonectin (ON), osteopontin, osteoprotegerin, and osteocalcin. CCA‐IMT and the presence of atherosclerotic plaques was assessed by ultrasound. Fragments of radial artery obtained during creation of HD access were prepared for microscopy and stained for calcifications with alizarin red. RAC was detected in 34 patients (58%). In multiple regression adjusted for dialysis status, TNFRII, ON and Framingham risk score (FRS) were identified as the independent predictors of OPG. Serum OPG above the median value of 7.55 pmol/L significantly predicted the presence of RAC in simple logistic regression (OR 5.33; 95%CI 1.39–20.4; P = 0.012) and in multiple logistic regression adjusted for FRS, dialysis status and CCA‐IMT values (OR 6.56; 95%CI 1.06–40.6; P = 0.036). OPG levels above the median were associated with higher CCA‐IMT values (1.02 ± 0.10 vs. 0.86 ± 0.13; P < 0.001) and predicted the presence of atherosclerotic plaques in carotid artery (OR 14.4; 95%CI 2.84–72.9; P < 0.001), independently of FRS, dialysis status and RAC. In this study, elevated serum OPG levels correlated with higher CCA‐IMT, the presence of atherosclerotic plaques and the severity of the RAC independently of each other. During follow‐up, 25 patients (42%) died, including 21 due to CV causes. In multiple Cox regression, OPG above the median predicted overall survival independently of dialysis status, Framingham risk score, CCA‐IMT above the median value, and the presence of atherosclerotic plaques in CCA, but not independently of RAC. We postulate that circulating OPG may play a dual role as a marker for both medial arterial calcification and atherosclerosis, hence it seems to be a valuable tool for assessing CV risk in patients with CKD. OPG might be an early indicator of all‐cause mortality in CKD patients with advanced medial arterial calcification.
Pressure measurement in the upper esophagus during cricoid pressure: A high‐resolution solid‐state manometry study
Authors: Pellrud Richard , Ahlstrand Rebecca
Published: July 2018

Background

The use of cricoid pressure is controversial, and its ability to occlude the esophagus has been questioned. In this study, high‐resolution solid‐state manometry was used to analyze pressure changes in the upper esophagus from cricoid pressure during modified rapid sequence induction. This is a secondary analysis of data from a previous study.

Methods

Seventeen healthy volunteers participated in a double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over study with primary aim to compare differences in the barrier pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter during rapid sequence induction with or without alfentanil. Standardized cricoid pressure of 30 N was applied 2 minutes after propolipid injection and held for 15 seconds and pressures in the esophagus were measured.

Results

Cricoid pressure resulted in a pressure increase of 127 ± 98 mmHg (95% CI: 73‐182) (placebo) and 123 ± 74 mmHg (95% CI: 84‐162) (alfentanil) at the level of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES), compared to baseline.

The pressure difference around the UES compared to the proximal esophagus during cricoid pressure application was 165 ± 100 mmHg (placebo) and 159 ± 87 mmHg (alfentanil) (mean ± 1 SD).

Conclusion

This study using high‐resolution solid‐state manometry under clinically relevant conditions shows that 30 N cricoid pressure generates high pressure in the area of the UES, far exceeding the levels previously considered necessary to prevent regurgitation. Additional studies are needed to clarify the effectiveness of cricoid pressure in preventing passive regurgitation before it is rejected as a part of rapid sequence induction.
Applying the human factors analysis and classification system to critical incident reports in anaesthesiology
Authors: Neuhaus Christopher , Huck Matthias , Hofmann Götz , St. Pierre Michael , Weigand Markus A. , Lichtenstern Christoph
Published: July 2018

Background

The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) was developed as a practical taxonomy to investigate and analyse the human contribution to accidents and incidents. Based on Reason's “Swiss Cheese Model”, it considers individual, environmental, leadership and organizational contributing factors in four hierarchical levels. The aim of this study was to assess the applicability of a modified HFACS taxonomy to incident reports from a large, anonymous critical incident database with the goal of gaining valuable insight into underlying, more systemic conditions and recurring schemes that might add important information for future incident avoidance.

Methods

We analysed 50 reports from an anonymous, anaesthesiologic, single‐centre Critical Incident Reporting System using a modified HFACS‐CIRS taxonomy. The 19 HFACS categories were further subdivided into a total of 117 nanocodes representing specific behaviours or preconditions for incident development.

Results

On an individual level, the most frequent contributions were decision errors, attributed to inadequate risk assessment or critical‐thinking failure. Communication and Coordination, mostly due to inadequate or ineffective communication, was contributory in two‐thirds of reports. Half of the reports showed contributory complex interactions in a sociotechnical environment. Ratability scores were noticeably lower for categories evaluating leadership and organizational influences, necessitating careful interpretation.

Conclusions

We applied the HFACS taxonomy to the analysis of CIRS reports in anaesthesiology. This constitutes a structured approach that, especially when applied to a large data set, might help guide future mitigation and intervention strategies to reduce critical incidents and improve patient safety. Improved, more structured reporting templates could further optimize systematic analysis.
Emotion Recognition Biases in Alcohol Use Disorder
Authors: Freeman Clara R. , Wiers Corinde E. , Sloan Matthew E. , Zehra Amna , Ramirez Veronica , Wang Gene‐Jack , Volkow Nora D.
Published: July 2018

Background

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) has been associated with impairments in cognitive and emotional function, including difficulty identifying emotional facial expressions. However, it is unclear whether these deficits are associated with alcohol consumption or related anxious and depressive symptoms.

Methods

We compared the recognition of emotional faces expressing happiness, surprise, sadness, fear, anger, and disgust in 19 AUD participants and 19 healthy volunteers using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery Emotion Recognition Task. We analyzed group differences in response latency, accuracy, and misidentification patterns (as defined by the tendency to mislabel facial expressions as exhibiting specific emotions). To assess whether misidentification patterns were associated with drinking severity, we also examined associations with alcohol consumption over the past 90 days.

Results

There were no differences in response latency or accuracy between groups. However, there were group differences in misidentification patterns. While controls tended to misidentify emotional expressions as happy, those with AUD tended to misidentify expressions as angry or disgusted. In AUD participants, the degree to which individuals were biased toward anger or disgust was positively correlated with the number of drinks they consumed in the past 90 days but was not associated with depression or anxiety scores.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that individuals with AUD have a bias toward misidentifying emotional facial expressions as hostile, which is not mediated by associated mood changes. This provides further evidence of disrupted social cognition in AUD.
Sleep spindles in bipolar disorder – a comparison to healthy control subjects
Authors: Ritter P. S. , Schwabedal J. , Brandt M. , Schrempf W. , Brezan F. , Krupka A. , Sauer C. , Pfennig A. , Bauer M. , Soltmann B. , Nikitin E.
Published: July 2018

Objective

Bipolar disorder is a severe mental disorder for which currently no reliable biomarkers exist. It has been shown that patients with schizophrenia but not with unipolar depression have a reduced density of fast sleep spindles during N2 sleep. The aim of this study was to assess fast sleep spindle density in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder.

Methods

Patients with bipolar disorder (n = 24) and healthy control subjects (n = 25) were assessed using all‐night polysomnography. Sleep spindles within stage N2 sleep were identified by visual inspection and subdivided into fast (>13 Hz) and slow (≤13 Hz) spindles. All spindles were subsequently characterised by density, frequency, amplitude, duration and coherence.

Results

Euthymic patients with bipolar disorder were found to have a reduced density and a lower mean frequency of fast spindles. Slow spindle density and frequency did not differ between groups. There were no differences regarding amplitude, duration or coherence.

Conclusions

A reduction in fast spindle density during N2 sleep points towards thalamic dysfunction as a potential neurobiological mechanism of relevance in bipolar disorder. In addition, a reduced sleep spindle density could be interpreted as a common endophenotype shared with schizophrenia but not unipolar depression and may – if replicated – be of utility in early recognition and risk stratification.
Management of depression in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders: a critical review of international guidelines
Authors: Dondé C. , Vignaud P. , Poulet E. , Brunelin J. , Haesebaert F.
Published: July 2018

Objectives

Depression is a frequent but potentially treatable clinical dimension in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (PWS). However, there is a lack of consensual recommendations regarding the optimal strategy to manage depression in PWS. In this study, we aimed to compare the various proposed strategies to define a core set of valid care recommendations for depression management in PWS.

Methods

After a systematic search of the literature, the methodological quality of 10 international guidelines from four continents was compared using a validated guideline appraisal instrument (AGREE II). Key recommendations for the management of depression in PWS were subsequently reviewed and discussed.

Results

The methodological quality of the guidelines was heterogeneous. Although all guidelines proposed pharmacotherapy, psychosocial interventions were a minor concern. Waiting for antipsychotic effects mostly was recommended during the acute phase of schizophrenia. During the postpsychotic phase of the illness, a switch to a second‐generation antipsychotic and/or the adjunction of an antidepressant were the primary recommendations. Cognitive behavioural therapy and other medications were considered with strong variations.

Conclusions

Further studies are needed to strengthen the level of evidence for antidepressive approaches in PWS. The inclusion of PWS as stakeholders is also considered to be a major issue for future guideline development.
Women's role in the rise in drinking in Australia 1950–80: an age–period–cohort analysis of data from the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study
Authors: Stanesby Oliver , Jayasekara Harindra , Callinan Sarah , Room Robin , English Dallas , Giles Graham G. , MacInnis Robert J. , Milne Roger L. , Livingston Michael
Published: July 2018

Background and Aims

In Australia, as in many countries, alcohol consumption increased dramatically during the second half of the 20th century, with increased availability of alcohol, relaxation of attitudes towards drinking and shifting roles and opportunities for women as facilitating factors. We sought to investigate drinking trends by gender and birth cohort in Australia during this period.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting, Participants and Measurements

Using the usual frequency and quantity of beverage‐specific alcohol intake for 10‐year periods from age 20, reported retrospectively from 40 789 participants aged 40–69 years (born 1920–49) at recruitment to the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study in 1990–94, we compared trends in alcohol consumption by sex in Australia between 1950 and 1990. Participants’ average daily consumption for age decades were transformed to estimated intakes for 1950, 1960, 1970, 1980 and 1990.

Findings

Alcohol consumption was higher for men than women during each decade. Alcohol consumption increased for both sexes in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, and fell after 1980. The rise before 1980 was roughly equal in absolute terms for both sexes, but much greater relative to 1950 for women. Women born during 1930–39 and 1940–49 drank more alcohol during early–middle adulthood (ages 20–40) than women born during 1920–29. In the 1980s, the fall was greater in absolute terms for men, but roughly equal relative to 1950 for both sexes. In both sexes, the decline in drinking in the 1980s for birth‐decade cohorts was roughly in parallel.

Conclusions

Specific birth cohorts were influential in the rise in alcohol consumption by Australian women born in 1920–49 after World War II. Much of the convergence with men's drinking after 1980 reflects large reductions in drinking among men.
Are Odonata nymph adversely affected by impaired water quality in urban streams
Authors: Tippler Carl , Wright Ian A. , Davies Peter J. , Evans Claire R.
Published: July 2018

Globally 10% of all dragonfly species are threatened by extinction that can be primarily attributed to a loss of natural habitat. Urban expansion and the associated urban stream syndrome has established that the extent and intensity of urban development is directly linked to a range of adverse physical, chemical and ecological changes. Urban waterways typically experience degraded water quality and are occupied by impaired communities of aquatic invertebrates which are mostly dominated by rapid colonizing insects. Odonata are a diverse insect group and their tolerance or sensitivity to urban waterway degradation is unclear. This research examined the response of aquatic macroinvertebrate communities and specifically the Odonata nymph community to impaired water quality and degraded riparian vegetation condition in streams of the Georges River catchment, Sydney, across an urban development gradient. Unlike the overall macroinvertebrate community, Odonata nymph species assemblages were not strongly linked to the urban development gradient nor the degree of degradation in water quality. This result diverges from many aquatic macroinvertebrate studies that have reported a correlation between the response of Odonata taxa to degraded water quality. Our findings conclude that Odonata nymph community alone are not a suitable indictor of urban stream degradation as measured by water quality or catchment imperviousness and that the conservation of urban dragonflies should place a greater focus on the conservation and creation of suitable habitats.
Second primary malignancy after multiple myeloma‐population trends and cause‐specific mortality
Authors: Costa Luciano J. , Godby Kelly N. , Chhabra Saurabh , Cornell Robert Frank , Hari Parameswaran , Bhatia Smita
Published: July 2018

The management of multiple myeloma (MM) has evolved with the increased use of autologous haematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT) and the introduction of new agents. AHCT and lenalidomide maintenance have been associated with increased risk of second primary malignancy (SPM). We iseutilised the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results 13 registries to analyse 9 833 patients diagnosed at age <65 years for three eras: 1995–99 (pre‐thalidomide, limited use of AHCT), 2000–04 (post‐thalidomide, pre‐lenalidomide and bortezomib, increased isautilisation of AHCT) and 2005–09 (post‐lenalidomide and bortezomib, higher isautilisation of AHCT). Changes in risk of SPM were assessed by utilising standardised incidence ratio (SIR) and cause‐specific risk of death. Cumulative incidence of SPM at 90 months was 4·7%, 6·0% and 6·3% respectively, P = 0·0008. SIR for haematological malignancies in years 1–5 increased, from 1·28 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0·47–2·78) in 1995–99 to 2·17 (95% CI: 1·27–3·48) in 2005–09, due to increased risk of acute leukaemias and lymphomas. A similar trend was observed in years 6–10. Overall mortality in patients with MM declined sharply over time due to declines in MM‐associated and cardiovascular mortality with no increase in risk of death from SPM. The evolution of MM therapy is linked to population‐level increase in risk with no discernible effect in death from SPM.
An unbalanced monocyte macrophage polarization in the bone marrow microenvironment of patients with poor graft function after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Zhao Hong‐Yan , Lyu Zhong‐Shi , Duan Cai‐Wen , Song Yang , Han Ting‐Ting , Mo Xiao‐Dong , Wang Yu , Xu Lan‐Ping , Zhang Xiao‐Hui , Huang Xiao‐Jun , Kong Yuan
Published: July 2018

Poor graft function (PGF) is a severe complication of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT). Murine studies have demonstrated that effective haematopoiesis depends on the specific bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. Increasing evidence shows that BM macrophages (MФs), which constitute an important component of BM immune microenvironment, are indispensable for the regulation of haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in the BM. However, little is known about the number and function of BM MФs or whether they directly interact with HSCs in PGF patients. In the current prospective case‐control study, PGF patients showed a significant increase in classically activated inflammatory MФs (M1; 2·18 ± 0·11% vs. 0·82 ± 0·06%, P < 0·0001), a striking reduction in alternatively activated anti‐inflammatory MФs (M2; 3·02 ± 0·31% vs. 21·89 ± 0·90%, P < 0·0001), resulting in a markedly increased M1/M2 ratio (0·82 ± 0·06 vs. 0·06 ± 0·002; P < 0·0001) in the BM compared with good graft function patients. Meanwhile, standard monocyte subsets were altered in PGF patients. Dysfunctional BM MФs, which were characterized by reduced proliferation, migration and phagocytosis, were evident in PGF patients. Furthermore, BM MФs from PGF patients with high tumour necrosis factor‐α and interleukin 12 levels and low transforming growth factor‐β levels, led to impaired BM CD34+ cell function. In summary, our data indicate that an unbalanced BM M1/M2 ratio and dysfunctional MФs may contribute to the occurrence of PGF following allo‐HSCT.
The prevalence of specific learning disorder in mathematics and comorbidity with other developmental disorders in primary school‐age children
Authors: Morsanyi Kinga , van Bers Bianca M.C.W. , McCormack Teresa , McGourty Jemma
Published: July 2018

Mathematics difficulties are common in both children and adults, and they can have a great impact on people's lives. A specific learning disorder in mathematics (SLDM or developmental dyscalculia) is a special case of persistent mathematics difficulties, where the problems with maths cannot be attributed to environmental factors, intellectual disability, or mental, neurological or physical disorders. The aim of the current study was to estimate the prevalence rate of SLDM, any gender differences in SLDM, and the most common comorbid conditions. The DSM‐5 provides details regarding these only for specific learning disorders in general, but not specifically for SLDM. We also compared the prevalence rates obtained on the basis of the DSM‐IV and DSM‐5 criteria. We investigated the performance of 2,421 primary school children on standardized tests of mathematics, English, and IQ, and several demographic factors over the primary school years. We applied the DSM‐5 diagnostic criteria to identify children with a potential diagnosis of SLDM. Six per cent of our sample had persistent, severe difficulties with mathematics, and, after applying the exclusion criteria, 5.7% were identified as having an SLDM profile. Both persistent maths difficulties and consistently exceptionally high performance in maths were equally common in males and females. About half of the children with an SLDM profile had some form of language or communication difficulty. Some of these children also had a diagnosis of autism, social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties or attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. Our findings have important implications for research and intervention purposes, which we discuss in the study.
Automation, machine learning, and artificial intelligence in echocardiography: A brave new world
Authors: Gandhi Sumeet , Mosleh Wassim , Shen Joshua , Chow Chi‐Ming
Published: July 2018

Automation, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) are changing the landscape of echocardiography providing complimentary tools to physicians to enhance patient care. Multiple vendor software programs have incorporated automation to improve accuracy and efficiency of manual tracings. Automation with longitudinal strain and 3D echocardiography has shown great accuracy and reproducibility allowing the incorporation of these techniques into daily workflow. This will give further experience to nonexpert readers and allow the integration of these essential tools into more echocardiography laboratories. The potential for machine learning in cardiovascular imaging is still being discovered as algorithms are being created, with training on large data sets beyond what traditional statistical reasoning can handle. Deep learning when applied to large image repositories will recognize complex relationships and patterns integrating all properties of the image, which will unlock further connections about the natural history and prognosis of cardiac disease states. The purpose of this review article was to describe the role and current use of automation, machine learning, and AI in echocardiography and discuss potential limitations and challenges of in the future.
Congenital inferior sinus venosus defect associated with pulmonary valve stenosis: A late presentation of a rare disease
Authors: Elsheshtawy Moustafa O. , Abdelghany Mahmoud , Sriganesh Pria , Liu Kan , Sadiq Adnan
Published: July 2018

Congenital inferior sinus venosus defect (SVD) is a rare congenital heart disease. Proper diagnosis of this disease is challenging and requires understanding of cardiac hemodynamics. Here, we discuss a patient with a late presentation of combined congenital inferior SVD associated with congenital pulmonary stenosis.
Evidence of linkage to chromosome 5p13.2‐q11.1 in a large inbred family with genetic generalized epilepsy
Authors: Kinay Demet , Oliver Karen L. , Tüzün Erdem , Damiano John A. , Ulusoy Canan , Andermann Eva , Hildebrand Michael S. , Bahlo Melanie , Berkovic Samuel F.
Published: July 2018

The clinical genetics of genetic generalized epilepsy suggests complex inheritance; large pedigrees, with multiple affected individuals, are rare exceptions. We studied a large consanguineous family from Turkey where extensive electroclinical phenotyping revealed a familial phenotype most closely resembling juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. For a subject to be considered affected (n = 14), a diagnostic electroencephalogram was required. Seizure onset ranged between 6 and 19 years (mean = 12 years). Thirteen of 14 experienced myoclonic jerks; in 11, this was associated with eyelid blinking, and in 10 it was interspersed with absences. Generalized tonic–clonic seizures were seen in 11. One individual had generalized tonic–clonic seizures alone. Electroencephalograms demonstrated generalized polyspike and wave discharges that were not associated with photoparoxysmal response. Intellect was normal. Nineteen family members were subsequently chosen for nonparametric multipoint linkage analyses, which identified a 39.5 Mb region on chromosome 5 (P < 0.0001). Iterative analysis, including discovery of a subtly affected individual, narrowed the critical region to 15.4 Mb and possibly to 5.5 Mb. Homozygous versus heterozygous state of the refined 5p13.2‐q11.1 haplotype was not associated with phenotypic severity or onset age, suggesting that one versus two pathogenic variants may result in similar phenotypes. Whole exome sequencing (n = 3) failed to detect any rare, protein‐coding variants within the highly significant linkage region that includes HCN1 as a promising candidate.
Time‐selective integrated scheduling algorithm with backtracking adaptation strategy
Authors: Zhang Xiaohuan , Xie Zhiqiang , Xin Yu , Yang Jing
Published: July 2018

Currently, integrated scheduling algorithms schedule processes using fixed rules, making it difficult to balance serial and parallel processes in product craftsmanship trees while conducting complicated single product scheduling. To solve this problem, we propose a time‐selective integrated scheduling algorithm with a backtracking adaptation (TISAWBA) strategy. The proposed process sequence sorting strategy aims to determine process scheduling sequences based on the overall structure of the machining craftsmanship tree. The proposed time‐selective scheduling strategy aims to select the process portfolio with the minimum total elapsed time for machining from a process portfolio set based on craftsmanship tree structure. The proposed backtracking adaptation strategy conducts backtracking adaptation to find process portfolios having a total elapsed machining time greater than the “scheduling reference time.” Finally, illustrative use cases verify that TISAWBA guarantees parallel processing for parallel processes and elevates the proximity of serial processes, generating optimized integrated scheduling results.
Research on the mechanism of knowledge and intelligence sharing in enterprises under big data: From the perspective of status‐striving motivation and opinion dynamics
Authors: Zhu Guiyan , Ma Xiaomeng , Liu Benfa
Published: July 2018

Knowledge sharing is the process of individual knowledge interaction in the team. To understand the social psychological mechanism in the process of knowledge sharing, this article combines status‐striving motivation with opinion dynamics to study the decision mechanism and evolution law of employee knowledge sharing behaviour. A multiagent simulation method is used to design the decision‐making model of employee knowledge sharing behaviour. The influence of the network structure, number of people, and the proportion of employees with different statuses on knowledge sharing performance is considered. The simulation software is used to convert the theoretical model into a parametric experiment, and the sensitivity analysis is also employed. The results show that the knowledge of individuals with high status will increase initially, but the upward trend will eventually slow until reaching a steady state. The steady‐state status of employees is positively correlated with their initial knowledge volume.
Long‐term limnological changes in the Ecuadorian páramo: Comparing the ecological responses to climate warming of shallow waterbodies versus deep lakes
Authors: Giles Mark P. , Michelutti Neal , Grooms Christopher , Smol John P.
Published: July 2018

Páramos are high‐altitude ecosystems of grasslands and shrubs that sustain high levels of biodiversity and contain numerous lakes, ponds and wetlands that are a crucial source of water for millions. In the Andes, limnological data are rare from páramos and particularly so from shallow waterbodies that are prominent features of the landscape.

Here, we analyse fossil diatom assemblages using dated sediment cores from three shallow lakes in the páramo of southern Ecuador and document their response to recent climate changes. The two shallowest sites were <0.5 m deep and contained nearly identical diatom assemblages, dominated byAchnanthidium minutissimumand other benthic taxa. The deepest study site, at 4 m depth, differed notably from its shallower counterparts in that the dominant taxa were tychoplanktonicAulacoseiraspecies. All three study sites showed only minor assemblage shifts over the past ˜200 years. This contrasts sharply with paleolimnological data from nearby deep lakes (Zmax > 17 m) that recorded abrupt changes in diatom phytoplankton coincident with the onset of higher temperatures, reduced wind speeds and the onset of thermal stratification in recent decades.

In temperate and high‐latitude regions, an overriding factor influencing freshwater ecosystems is the duration and extent of ice cover, which itself is closely linked to climate variables. In contrast, there is no winter ice cover and the growing season is continuous year round in our equatorial Andean sites. Instead, rising temperatures are affecting deep lakes primarily by altering the physical structure of the water column resulting in greater periods of thermal stratification, which in turn drives changes in biota and other lake processes. However, this mechanism of change only affects deep lakes because shallow waterbodies are easily mixed by wind.

Our data demonstrate the differential response of large, deep lakes in the páramo compared to the relative complacency of changes in shallow waterbodies, which is in marked contrast to similar sites affected by seasonal ice cover.
Acne prevalence in 9 to 14‐year‐old old patients attending pediatric ambulatory clinics in Italy
Authors: Napolitano Maddalena , Ruggiero Giuseppe , Monfrecola Giuseppe , Megna Matteo
Published: July 2018

Background

Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disease of the pilosebaceous follicles that affects patients of all ages with a younger onset being more common than in the past.

Objectives

To investigate on the prevalence, clinical features and treatments of acne in 9 to 14‐year‐old patients.

Methods

A prospective observational study was conducted between April 2016 and May 2016. The study population consisted of patients attending 32 different pediatric ambulatory clinics located in Italy (North: 56.25%, Center: 18.75%, South: 25%). For each patient, a specific questionnaire was registered: i) demographic data; ii) past personal history of acne; iii) auxologic parameters. Further data were gathered for patients suffering from acne at study enrollment: i) body areas involved by the disease; ii) acne severity evaluated through a 0‐5 scale (Global Evaluation Acne scale); iii) acne treatments.

Results

A total of 683 children (49.2% male; mean age 11.05 ± 1.4 years) were enrolled. Acne was present in 234/683 (34.3%) of the patients, and its prevalence increased with age being higher after 13 years of age (85/234; 36.3%) and lowest at 9 years of age (14/234; 6%). The majority of the patients suffering from acne showed a mild or almost clear disease state severity (GEA scale 1 or 2) (207/234, 88.5%), whereas severe or very severe forms (GEA scale 4 or 5) represented only 4/234, 1.7% of the cases.

Conclusions

Acne is not a rare disease in pre‐adolescent age. Adequate and prompt treatment is also needed in this class of patient to minimize disease burden and potential future disease worsening.
Cosmopolitanism, Occupancy and Political Self‐Determination
Authors: Wellman Christopher Heath
Published: July 2018

The brand of cosmopolitanism that Cécile Fabre develops in her excellent book, Cosmopolitan Peace, leaves room for qualifying groups to exercise political self‐determination. Important questions thus emerge regarding who is entitled to have a say in the group's self‐determination, questions that take on a heightened practical urgency in the wake of wars that cause massive migration. In this article, I call into question Fabre's contention that the descendants of unjust occupants necessarily acquire occupancy rights which entitle them to a say in the political self‐determination over the territory on which they currently reside.
Abnormal trading behavior of specific types of shareholders before US firm bankruptcy and its implications for firm bankruptcy prediction
Authors: Cheng Christine , Jones Stewart , Moser William J.
Published: July 2018

This paper examines the trading behavior of US corporate insiders and certain groups of institutional investors (short‐term, transient, top‐performing, and those with fiduciary responsibility) in the eight quarters leading up to a US firm bankruptcy filing. Using a matched sample based on year, industry, and a probability of future bankruptcy model, we find that US corporate insiders display abnormal reduced net trading activity in the quarters before bankruptcy, with corporate insiders ‘going quiet’ immediately preceding a US bankruptcy. In contrast, we find that our identified types of institutional shareholders display abnormal selling activity several quarters before a US bankruptcy. We then use this information to enhance the bankruptcy‐predictive capabilities of recent machine‐learning techniques such as gradient boosting, as well as the probability of future bankruptcy model. We find that the variables measuring the absolute value of net purchases by US corporate insiders in the two quarters prior to bankruptcy, along with the changes in ownership by specific types of institutional shareholders, improve the out‐of‐sample predictive capabilities of our two different bankruptcy prediction models. Overall, we find that specific types of shareholder display abnormal trading in the quarters preceding US firm bankruptcy, and such information improves the out‐of‐sample accuracy of firm bankruptcy prediction models.
Reducing uncertainty in estimating associations of oral exposures with Helicobacter pylori serology in the general population
Authors: Schwahn Christian , Samietz Stefanie , Mundt Torsten , Völzke Henry , Kocher Thomas , Mayerle Julia , Holtfreter Birte , Lerch Markus M. , Biffar Reiner , Schulz Christian
Published: July 2018

Aim

Evidence for reducing Helicobacter (H.) pylori by periodontal therapy comes from small studies in China, limiting generalizability. To estimate the association between periodontal disease and anti‐H. pylori IgG titer levels in a European country, we used population‐based data from the Study of Health in Pomerania.

Materials and Methods

For pocket depth as the primary exposure, we restricted the age range to participants younger than 60 years (n = 2,481) to avoid selection bias due to edentulism in this cross‐sectional study. For the full age range up to 81 years, we chose the number of missing teeth (n = 3,705).

Results

The association between pocket depth and the outcome was weak. Given the ceiling effect for the number of missing teeth (ordinal logistic regression; odds ratio of the interquartile range effect = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.3–1.9; p‐value for linearity = 0.005), we checked whether wearing removable dental prosthesis was associated with higher anti‐H. pylori IgG titer levels (odds ratio = 1.3; 95% CI: 1.1–1.5).

Conclusions

Tooth loss and wearing removable dental prosthesis were weakly to moderately associated with higher anti‐H. pylori IgG titer levels in the general population of a European country.
An integrated weather–hydrologic–coastal–stormwater framework to model urban‐coastal interactions: City of Hoboken application
Authors: Saleh F. , Ramaswamy V. , Georgas N. , Blumberg A.F. , Pullen J. , Chen S. , Holt T. , Schmidt J.
Published: July 2018

This study presents a flood prediction framework that uses multiscale operational models representing meteorological, coastal, hydrologic, and hydraulic stormwater components. A dual‐drainage (street‐sewer) model forms the framework core and receives inputs from coastal and meteorological models. The framework was tested in a flood‐prone area within the City of Hoboken, New Jersey. Hoboken's aging combined sewer system is regularly overwhelmed by rainfall, storm surge, or their combination resulting in nuisance flooding. The utility of the framework was demonstrated by retrospectively forecasting (72‐hr horizon) two contrasting extreme flood events, a rainfall dominated event (Hurricane Irene) and a surge dominated event (Hurricane Sandy). The simulations showed that overland flow from storm surge and low‐lying topography were major factor in surcharging the sewer system resulting in flooding. This modelling approach captures multiscale interactions and demonstrates the importance of holistically representing short‐term stressors in urban‐coastal systems. The framework can be run in ensemble mode to account for uncertainty in atmospheric forcing and aid decision making but this option was not explored in this study. Despite the limitations in expanding the dual‐drainage domain to the entire city of Hoboken, the study offers interesting perspectives on leveraging existing models and predicting system response to different stressors.
Rab‐H1b is essential for trafficking of cellulose synthase and for hypocotyl growth in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: He Ming , Lan Miao , Zhang Baocai , Zhou Yihua , Wang Youqun , Zhu Lei , Yuan Ming , Fu Ying
Published: July 2018

Cell‐wall deposition of cellulose microfibrils is essential for plant growth and development. In plant cells, cellulose synthesis is accomplished by cellulose synthase complexes located in the plasma membrane. Trafficking of the complex between endomembrane compartments and the plasma membrane is vital for cellulose biosynthesis; however, the mechanism for this process is not well understood. We here report that, in Arabidopsis thaliana, Rab‐H1b, a Golgi‐localized small GTPase, participates in the trafficking of CELLULOSE SYNTHASE 6 (CESA6) to the plasma membrane. Loss of Rab‐H1b function resulted in altered distribution and motility of CESA6 in the plasma membrane and reduced cellulose content. Seedlings with this defect exhibited short, fragile etiolated hypocotyls. Exocytosis of CESA6 was impaired in rab‐h1b cells, and endocytosis in mutant cells was significantly reduced as well. We further observed accumulation of vesicles around an abnormal Golgi apparatus having an increased number of cisternae in rab‐h1b cells, suggesting a defect in cisternal homeostasis caused by Rab‐H1b loss function. Our findings link Rab GTPases to cellulose biosynthesis, during hypocotyl growth, and suggest Rab‐H1b is crucial for modulating the trafficking of cellulose synthase complexes between endomembrane compartments and the plasma membrane and for maintaining Golgi organization and morphology.
Complications with vacuum delivery from a forceps‐delivery perspective: Progress toward safe vacuum delivery
Authors: Seki Hiroyuki
Published: July 2018

Aim

To examine the rates of medical malpractice and cerebral palsy after vacuum delivery in comparison with forceps delivery and establish approaches for enabling safe vacuum delivery from the perspective of forceps delivery.

Methods

This study reviewed the Japan Obstetric Compensation System report data, which contains data from studies involving 188 cases through May 2013, including cases of emergency delivery. These cases included 118 cases of cesarean section (62.8%) and 70 cases of vaginal delivery (37.2%). Of the 188 patients, 145 required emergency delivery (77.1%), of which cesarean sections were performed in 117 patients (80.7%), vacuum delivery in 24 patients (16.6%) and forceps delivery in 4 patients (2.8%).

Results

In evaluating the contents of the report with a focus on vacuum delivery, it was found that vacuum delivery was attempted in 35 patients, and delivery was successful in 24 of these patients (68.6%); however, in 11 patients (31.4%), delivery was unsuccessful and cesarean section was required. Thus, vacuum delivery was unsuccessful in approximately one third of the cases.

Conclusion

For delivery to be completed as successfully and quickly as possible, it is essential for obstetricians to have a good understanding of the process of vacuum delivery, and to have expertise in the relevant techniques. However, it is also necessary to modify the indications under which vacuum delivery is considered safe to perform, from fetal station ±0, that is, engagement of the fetal head, to station +2, or descent of the fetal head.
Cesarean scar pregnancy with deep serosal invasion at 16 weeks: Uterus‐sparing surgery with posterior hysterotomy after transcatheter arterial embolization
Authors: Sroussi Jérémy , Panchbhaya Nabilah , Boujlel Sihem , Dautry Raphaël , Tigaizin Ahmed , Benifla Jean‐Louis
Published: July 2018

We report a case of cesarean scar pregnancy at 16 weeks. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the isthmic ectopic location with an empty fundus and a high suspicion of placental invasion to the anterior myometrium. Because of pelvic pain, bleeding and the major risks of hysterectomy, a decision was made to terminate the pregnancy. After a preventive pelvic artery embolization, we performed an unusual posterior isthmic hysterotomy for the extraction of the fetus, followed by conservative management of the placenta. Bleeding loss was 300 mL, and no complication was reported. Successive magnetic resonance imaging was planned and 6 months later, there were no placental remnants. At 7 months, an office hysteroscopy revealed a normal uterine cavity. In case of cesarean scar pregnancy in the second trimester with an emergency need to interrupt pregnancy, posterior hysterotomy with conservative treatment of placenta may be an option to avoid massive bleeding and hysterectomy.