bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diurnal Variability of On-Treatment Platelet Reactivity in Clopidogrel versus Prasugrel Treated Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients: A Pre-Specified TROPICAL-ACS Sub-Study
Authors: Freynhofer Matthias , Hein-Rothweiler Ralph , Haller Paul , Aradi Daniel , Dézsi Döme , Gross Lisa , Orban Martin , Trenk Dietmar , Geisler Tobias , Huczek Zenon , Toth-Gayor Gabor , Massberg Steffen , Huber Kurt , Sibbing Dirk
Published: January 2019

Long-term evidence supports a clustering of cardiovascular events in the early morning and smaller mechanistic studies in aspirin-treated patients have shown increased platelet reactivity at the end of the dosing interval. Comparative pharmacodynamic analyses for different adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor inhibitors in percutaneous coronary intervention-treated acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients are lacking and this pre-specified analysis from the randomized Testing Responsiveness To Platelet Inhibition On Chronic Antiplatelet Treatment For Acute Coronary Syndromes (TROPICAL-ACS) trial aimed for the first time at investigating diurnal variability of on-treatment platelet reactivity in clopidogrel versus prasugrel treated patients. TROPICAL-ACS randomized 2,610 ACS patients to either treatment with prasugrel (control group) or to a platelet function testing-guided de-escalation of anti-platelet treatment with a switch to clopidogrel (guided de-escalation group). This study design enabled a diurnal comparison of on-prasugrel versus on-clopidogrel treatment platelet reactivity under steady-state conditions. For 2,526 patients (97%), both the exact time of blood sampling and the ADP-induced platelet aggregation value (in units, Multiplate analyser) were available. Platelet reactivity in patients on clopidogrel (n = 1,265) was higher and subject to significant diurnal variability (p = 0.019) with a peaking of platelet reactivity in the early morning (5–10 a.m.). In prasugrel-treated patients (n = 1,261), there was no sign for diurnal variability (p = 0.174) or a peaking of platelet reactivity in the morning. The potent ADP receptor inhibitor prasugrel is not subject to diurnal variability while we observed a significant diurnal variability of on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity. The clinical impact of this observation may differ for patients with and without an adequate response to clopidogrel treatment and the issue of diurnal variability of platelet reactivity in ACS patients warrants further investigation.
One giant leap for capitalistkind: private enterprise in outer space
Authors: Shammas Victor L. , Holen Tomas B.
Published: January 2019

Outer space is becoming a space for capitalism. We are entering a new era of the commercialization of space, geared towards generating profits from satellite launches, space tourism, asteroid mining, and related ventures. This era, driven by private corporations such as Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origins, has been labeled by industry insiders as ‘NewSpace'—in contrast to ‘Old Space', a Cold War-era mode of space relations when (allegedly) slow-moving, sluggish states dominated outer space. NewSpace marks the arrival of capitalism in space. While challenging the libertarian rhetoric of its proponents—space enterprises remain enmeshed in the state, relying on funding, physical infrastructure, technology transfers, regulatory frameworks, and symbolic support—NewSpace nevertheless heralds a novel form of human activity in space. Despite its humanistic, universalizing pretensions, however, NewSpace does not benefit humankind as such but rather a specific set of wealthy entrepreneurs, many of them originating in Silicon Valley, who strategically deploy humanist tropes to engender enthusiasm for their activities. We describe this complex as ‘capitalistkind'. Moreover, the arrival of capitalism in space is fueled by the expansionary logic of capital accumulation. Outer space serves as a spatial fix, allowing capital to transcend its inherent terrestrial limitations. In this way, the ultimate spatial fix is perhaps (outer) space itself.
Upgrade of a low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope for electron-spin resonance
Authors: Natterer Fabian D. , Patthey François , Bilgeri Tobias , Forrester Patrick R. , Weiss Nicolas , Brune Harald
Published: January 2019

Electron spin resonance with a scanning tunneling microscope (ESR-STM) combines the high energy resolution of spin resonance spectroscopy with the atomic scale control and spatial resolution of STM. Here we describe the upgrade of a helium-3 STM with a 2D vector-field magnet (Bz = 8.0 T, Bx = 0.8 T) to an ESR-STM. The system is capable of delivering radio frequency (RF) power to the tunnel junction at frequencies up to 30 GHz. We demonstrate magnetic field-sweep ESR for the model system TiH/MgO/Ag(100) and find a magnetic moment of (1.004 ± 0.001) μB. Our upgrade enables to toggle between a DC mode, where the STM is operated with the regular control electronics, and an ultrafast-pulsed mode that uses an arbitrary waveform generator for pump-probe spectroscopy or reading of spin-states. Both modes allow for simultaneous radiofrequency excitation, which we add via a resistive pick-off tee to the bias voltage path. The RF cabling from room temperature to the 350 mK stage has an average attenuation of 18 dB between 5 and 25 GHz. The cable segment between the 350 mK stage and the STM tip presently attenuates an additional 34−3+5 dB from 10 to 26 GHz and 38−2+3 dB between 20 and 30 GHz. We discuss our transmission losses and indicate ways to reduce this attenuation. We finally demonstrate how to synchronize the arrival times of RF and DC pulses coming from different paths to the STM junction, a prerequisite for future pulsed ESR experiments.
Fragility and aging behavior of SixSe1−x glasses and liquids
Authors: Marple Maxwell A. T. , Yong Vuthtyra , Sen Sabyasachi
Published: January 2019

The composition dependence of the fragility of SixSe1−x liquids with 0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.33 is determined using the calorimetric method and is found to be rather similar to that characteristic of their Ge analogues. In addition, the nature and the time scale of the structural relaxation of the Si25Se75 glass during aging at 40 K below Tg are measured using Raman spectroscopy. The structural relaxation in this glass, which belongs to the so-called intermediate phase, involves progressive conversion of the doubly edge-shared SiSe4/2 tetrahedra E2 into singly edge-shared E1 and corner-shared E0 tetrahedra upon lowering of temperature. This tetrahedral speciation can be expressed in the form of the reaction 2 E2 → E0 + E1. The time scale of this tetrahedral conversion reaction corresponds well with that of shear relaxation. This result is inconsistent with the claim made previously in the literature that intermediate phase compositions do not undergo aging. Moreover, when taken together, the fragility and the structural relaxation results suggest that the constraint counting scheme typically adopted in the literature for edge- vs. corner-shared tetrahedra in chalcogenide networks may need to be revised. A rigid-polytope based constraint counting approach is shown to be more consistent with the experimental results.
Atomic photoionization cross sections beyond the electric dipole approximation
Authors: Brumboiu Iulia Emilia , Eriksson Olle , Norman Patrick
Published: January 2019

A methodology is developed to compute photoionization cross sections beyond the electric dipole approximation from response theory, using Gaussian type orbitals and plane waves for the initial and final states, respectively. The methodology is applied to compute photoionization cross sections of atoms and ions from the first four rows of the periodic table. Analyzing the error due to the plane wave description of the photoelectron, we find kinetic energy and concomitant photon energy thresholds above which the plane wave approximation becomes applicable. The correction introduced by going beyond the electric dipole approximation increases with photon energy and depends on the spatial extension of the initial state. In general, the corrections are below 10% for most elements, at a photon energy reaching up to 12 keV.
Researchers create stretchable, skin-conformable microscale surface-emitting laser
Authors: Kim Meeri
Published: January 2019

New paper reports on a stretchable, microscale surface-emitting laser capable of being integrated onto human skin and other biological tissues.
Experimental reintroduction of three grassland forbs to assess climate-adjusted provenancing, grazing protection and weed control
Authors: McIntyre S. , Nicholls A. O. , Graff P. , Stol J.
Published: January 2019

We explored climate-adjusted provenancing as a strategy for reintroduction of three perennial forbs: Microseris walteri, Bulbine bulbosa and Stackhousia monogyna into native grassland with a history of livestock grazing. Seed source populations were sampled over a temperature gradient of 2°C, located up to 120km from the receiving site. Two receiving-site management treatments were applied: hand removal of exotic species, and exclusion of macropod grazing and trampling. There were no effects of weeding the receiving grassland and we concluded the low fertility of the site provided protection from exotic competition. After eight growing seasons, protection from grazing resulted in double to triple the numbers of established plants, depending on the species. Amongst populations within a species, larger seeds and early emergence reflected later establishment success for Bulbine only. At the species level, early performance was not indicative of later numbers of reproductive plants established. We found no long-term evidence of home-site advantage in any species, and no apparent disadvantage of non-matching lithology. All source populations were represented at the end of the experiment (Season 6). Counts after eight seasons’ growth indicated a continuing trend of population increase in all three species. The persistence of all populations suggests that admixture or climate-adjusted provenancing may be a realistic option to restore depleted populations of herbaceous plants in grassy eucalypt woodlands in a warming climate.
Torsional stress generated by ADF/cofilin on cross-linked actin filaments boosts their severing
Authors: Wioland Hugo , Jegou Antoine , Romet-Lemonne Guillaume
Published: January 2019

Significance

Actin filaments assemble into ordered networks able to exert forces and shape cells. In response, filaments are exposed to mechanical stress which can potentially modulate their interactions with regulatory proteins. We developed in vitro tools to manipulate single filaments and study the impact of mechanics on the activity of actin depolymerizing factor (ADF)/cofilin, the central player in actin disassembly. While tension has almost no effect, curvature enhances severing by ADF/cofilin. We also discovered a mechanism that boosts the severing of anchored filaments: When binding to these filaments, ADF/cofilin locally increases their natural helicity, generating a torque that accelerates filament fragmentation up to 100-fold. As a consequence, interconnected filament networks are severed far more efficiently than independent filaments.
Transgressive segregation reveals mechanisms ofArabidopsisimmunity toBrassica-infecting races of white rust (Albugo candida)
Authors: Cevik Volkan , Boutrot Freddy , Apel Wiebke , Robert-Seilaniantz Alexandre , Furzer Oliver J. , Redkar Amey , Castel Baptiste , Kover Paula X. , Prince David C. , Holub Eric B. , Jones Jonathan D. G.
Published: January 2019

Arabidopsis thalianaaccessions are universally resistant at the adult leaf stage to white rust (Albugo candida) races that infect the crop speciesBrassica junceaandBrassica oleracea. We used transgressive segregation in recombinant inbred lines to test if this apparent species-wide (nonhost) resistance inA. thalianais due to natural pyramiding of multipleResistance(R) genes. We screened 593 inbred lines from anArabidopsismultiparent advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) mapping population, derived from 19 resistant parental accessions, and identified two transgressive segregants that are susceptible to the pathogen. These were crossed to each MAGIC parent, and analysis of resulting F2progeny followed by positional cloning showed that resistance to an isolate ofA. candidarace 2 (Ac2V) can be explained in each accession by at least one of four genes encoding nucleotide-binding, leucine-rich repeat (NLR) immune receptors. An additional gene was identified that confers resistance to an isolate ofA. candidarace 9 (AcBoT) that infectsB. oleracea. Thus, effector-triggered immunity conferred by distinct NLR-encoding genes in multipleA. thalianaaccessions provides species-wide resistance to these crop pathogens.
Economic crisis and Greek crisis discourse
Authors: Deligiaouri Anastasia
Published: January 2019

The 2008 economic crisis signalled a new era for European and global politics and introduced a new ‘economic
crisis discourse’, which has emerged as an attempt to explain, justify, criticize and interpret economic crisis. It has introduced
new terms and constructed new meanings to political life. Media economic crisis discourse has been a decisive factor in peoples’
understanding of economic crisis. The paper studies the construction and media narratives of economic crisis discourse through an
analysis of articles published by The Economist during the ‘peak years’ of the early Greek economic crisis
(2009–2011). The analysis follows Laclau and Mouffe’s (1985) discourse theory and
reveals the ‘nodal points’ of Greek crisis discourse as they are presented in the articles of The Economist. The
paper underlines the importance of media discourse during crisis periods, in which information dissemination and news framing may
crucially affect citizens, policies and societies in general.
Frozen-Section Checklist Implementation Improves Quality and Patient Safety
Authors: Chen Yigu , Anderson Kevin R , Xu Jia , Goldsmith Jeffrey D , Heher Yael K
Published: January 2019

Objectives

An intraoperative consultation (IOC) checklist was developed and implemented aimed at standardizing slide labeling and monitoring metrics central to quality and safety in surgical pathology.

Design

Data were collected for all IOC cases over a 9-month period. Slide labeling defect rates and IOC turnaround time (TAT) were recorded and compared for the pre- and postimplementation periods.

Results

In total, 839 IOC cases were analyzed. Preintervention slide labeling showed that 85% of cases contained at least one defect (n = 565). Postintervention data revealed that 27% of cases contained at least one defect (n = 274). The improvement was statistically significant (P < .001). Mean TAT was 21.6 minutes preintervention vs 23.2 minutes postintervention, and the change was insignificant (P = .071).

Conclusions

The implementation of a standardized IOC reduced slide labeling error. This improvement did not affect mean TAT and may have the increased quality of IOC TAT data reporting. Other metrics affecting patient safety and quality were monitored and standardized.
Health Behaviors, Nocturnal Hypertension, and Non-dipping Blood Pressure: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults and Jackson Heart Study
Authors: Sakhuja Swati , Booth John N , Lloyd-Jones Donald M , Lewis Cora E , Thomas Stephen J , Schwartz Joseph E , Shimbo Daichi , Shikany James M , Sims Mario , Yano Yuichiro , Muntner Paul
Published: January 2019

BACKGROUND

Several health behaviors have been associated with hypertension based on clinic blood pressure (BP). Data on the association of health behaviors with nocturnal hypertension and non-dipping systolic BP (SBP) are limited.

METHODS

We analyzed data for participants with ambulatory BP monitoring at the Year 30 Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study exam in 2015–2016 (n = 781) and the baseline Jackson Heart Study (JHS) exam in 2000–2004 (n = 1,046). Health behaviors (i.e., body mass index, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol intake) were categorized as good, fair, and poor and assigned scores of 2, 1, and 0, respectively. A composite health behavior score was calculated as their sum and categorized as very good (score range = 6–8), good (5), fair (4), and poor (0–3). Nocturnal hypertension was defined as mean asleep SBP ≥ 120 mm Hg or mean asleep diastolic BP ≥ 70 mm Hg and non-dipping SBP as < 10% awake-to-asleep decline in SBP.

RESULTS

Among CARDIA study and JHS participants, 41.1% and 56.9% had nocturnal hypertension, respectively, and 32.4% and 72.8% had non-dipping SBP, respectively. The multivariable-adjusted prevalence ratios (95% confidence interval) for nocturnal hypertension associated with good, fair, and poor vs. very good health behavior scores were 1.03 (0.82–1.29), 0.98 (0.79–1.22), and 0.96 (0.77–1.20), respectively in CARDIA study and 0.98 (0.87–1.10), 0.96 (0.86–1.09), and 0.86 (0.74–1.00), respectively in JHS. The health behavior score was not associated non-dipping SBP in CARDIA study or JHS after multivariable adjustment.

CONCLUSIONS

A health behavior score was not associated with nocturnal hypertension or non-dipping SBP.
Lymphocyte telomere length predicts clinical outcomes of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer patients after definitive radiotherapy
Authors: Luo Xiaoning , Sturgis Erich M , Yang Zheng , Sun Yan , Wei Peng , Liu Zhensheng , Wei Qingyi , Li Guojun
Published: January 2019

Because lymphocyte telomere length (LTL) plays critical roles in the maintenance of genomic stability and integrity, LTL thus may influence the etiology and prognosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx (SCCOP). However, given the association between LTL and risk of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated SCCOP and between LTL and tumor HPV status of SCCOP, we hypothesized that LTL is associated with SCCOP prognosis, particularly in HPV-positive patients after definitive radiotherapy. LTL and tumor HPV type 16 (HPV16) status were determined in 564 incident SCCOP patients before radiotherapy or chemoradiation. Both univariate and multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to estimate the association between LTL and prognosis. Eighty-five percent patients had HPV16-positive tumors. Patients with shorter telomeres had significantly better overall, disease-specific and disease-free survival than did those with longer telomeres (log-rank P < 0.001). Moreover, patients with shorter telomeres had significantly lower risk of death overall [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.2; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.1–0.4], death due to SCCOP (HR = 0.2; 95% CI = 0.1–0.4) and SCCOP recurrence (HR = 0.3; 95% CI = 0.2–0.5) after adjusting for other important prognostic confounders. Finally, we found more pronounced effects of LTL on survival in HPV16-positive SCCOP patients after stratified analysis according to tumor HPV status. These findings indicate that LTL plays a significant role in the survival of patients with SCCOP, especially HPV16-positive patients who undergo definitive radiotherapy. Therefore, pretreatment LTL may be an independent prognostic biomarker for HPV16-positive SCCOP. Prospective studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these findings.
Perinatal iron deficiency and a high salt diet cause long-term kidney mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress
Authors: Woodman Andrew G , Mah Richard , Keddie Danae L , Noble Ronan M N , Holody Claudia D , Panahi Sareh , Gragasin Ferrante S , Lemieux Helene , Bourque Stephane L
Published: January 2019

Aims

Perinatal iron deficiency (ID) alters developmental trajectories of offspring, predisposing them to cardiovascular dysfunction in later life. The mechanisms underlying this long-term programming of renal function have not been defined. We hypothesized perinatal ID causes hypertension and alters kidney metabolic function and morphology in a sex-dependent manner in adult offspring. Furthermore, we hypothesized these effects are exacerbated by chronic consumption of a high salt diet.

Methods and results

Pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were fed either an iron-restricted or replete diet prior to and throughout pregnancy. Adult offspring were fed normal or high salt diets for 6 weeks prior to experimentation at 6 months of age. Blood pressure (BP) was assessed via indwelling catheters in anaesthetized offspring; kidney mitochondrial function was assessed via high-resolution respirometry; reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide were quantified via fluorescence microscopy. Adult males, but not females, exhibited increased systolic BP due to ID (P = 0.01) and high salt intake (P = 0.02). In males, but not in females, medullary mitochondrial content was increased by high salt (P = 0.003), while succinate-dependent respiration was reduced by ID (P < 0.05). The combination of perinatal ID and high salt reduced complex IV activity in the cortex of males (P = 0.01). Perinatal ID increased cytosolic superoxide generation (P < 0.001) concomitant with reduced nitric oxide bioavailability (P < 0.001) in male offspring, while high salt increased mitochondrial superoxide in the medulla (P = 0.04) and cytosolic superoxide within the cortex (P = 0.01). Male offspring exhibited glomerular basement membrane thickening (P < 0.05), increased collagen deposition (P < 0.05), and glomerular hypertrophy (interaction, P = 0.02) due to both perinatal ID and high salt. Female offspring exhibited no alterations in mitochondrial function or morphology due to either high salt or ID.

Conclusion

Perinatal ID causes long-term sex-dependent alterations in renal metabolic function and morphology, potentially contributing to hypertension and increased cardiovascular disease risk.
The Microbiome in Paediatric Crohn’s Disease—A Longitudinal, Prospective,  Single-Centre Study
Authors: Kansal Shivani , Catto-Smith Anthony G , Boniface Karen , Thomas Sarah , Cameron Donald J , Oliver Mark , Alex George , Kirkwood Carl D , Wagner Josef
Published: January 2019

Background and Aims

The gut mucosa is the principal site where Crohn’s disease [CD] inflammation occurs. Limited information is available about the gut mucosal microbiome during CD relapse and remission. The aim of our study was to characterize specific changes in the gut microbiome during relapse and remission in a large single-centre paediatric CD cohort.

Methods

We analysed the microbiome of 345 biopsies from 204 patients, including 88 CD first diagnosis [CDFD] patients, 38 relapse [CDRL] patients, 12 remission [CDRM] patients, and 66 controls. Species identification was conducted using oligotyping in combination with ARB/SILVA taxonomic annotation.

Results

We observed 45 bacteria to differ between CDFD samples and controls with statistical significance, with Fusobacterium being the most implicated species in CDFD patients. We also identified gender-specific differences in CD. Five species showed a strong association with CDRL patients and 10 species with CDRM patients. Three taxa showed a positive co-occurrence across the two groups. Hespellia porcina [closest taxonomic neighbour to Clostridium oroticum] was the most strongly associated with CDRL samples. Interestingly, Fusobacterium was not part of the CDRL-associated taxa group. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii was equally present in CDFD and control samples.

Conclusion

This is the first study that has investigated the gut mucosal microbiome in a paediatric CD cohort with longitudinal sampling. Importantly, the microbiome of patients in CDRM did not return to a healthy control state. Neither did the microbiome of patients with CDRL return to the profile seen at CDFD.
Faecal Calprotectin Is a Very Reliable Tool to Predict and Monitor the Risk of Relapse After Therapeutic De-escalation in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Authors: Buisson Anthony , Mak Wing Yan , Andersen Michael J , Lei Donald , Kahn Stacy A , Pekow Joel , Cohen Russel D , Zmeter Nada , Pereira Bruno , Rubin David T
Published: January 2019

Aims

To assess faecal calprotectin [Fcal] levels before and after therapeutic de-escalation, to predict clinical relapse in patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD].

Methods

From a prospectively maintained database, we enrolled 160 IBD patients [112 Crohn’s disease/48 ulcerative colitis] in clinical remission, with Fcal measured within 8 weeks before therapeutic de-escalation. Clinical relapse was defined using the Harvey-Bradshaw index or Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index.

Results

Using a receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve, Fcal >100 µg/g was the best threshold to predict clinical relapse after therapeutic de-escalation (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.84). In multivariate analysis, clinical remission >6 months before therapeutic de-escalation (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.57 [0.33–0.99]; p = 0.044) was associated with decreased risk of relapse, whereas current steroid medication ( = 1.67[1.00–2.79]; p <0.0001) was a risk factor. Fcal >100 µg/g was predictive of clinical relapse (HR = 3.96 [2.47–6.35]; p < 0.0001) in the whole cohort but also in patients receiving anti-tumour necrosis factor [TNF] agents [n = 85 patients; p <0.0001], anti-integrins [n = 32; p = 0.003], or no biologics [n = 43; p = 0.049], or attempting to discontinue steroids [n = 37; p = 0.001]. One patient [1/98] and seven patients [7/88, 8.0%] with baseline Fcal <100 µg/g relapsed within 3 months and 6 months after therapeutic de-escalation, respectively. A total of 74 Fcal measurements were performed in 52 patients after therapeutic de-escalation. Monitoring Fcal >200 µg/g [ROC curve with AUC = 0.96] was highly predictive of clinical relapse in multivariate analysis ([HR = 31.8 [3.5–289.4], p = 0.002). Only two relapses [2/45, 4.4%] occurred within 6 months while Fcal <200 µg/g.

Conclusions

Fcal level is highly accurate to predict and monitor the risk of relapse after therapeutic de-escalation in IBD patients and could be used in daily practice.
On the role of covariates in the synthetic control method
Authors: Botosaru Irene , Ferman Bruno
Published: January 2019

Abadie et al. (2010) derive bounds on the bias of the synthetic control estimator under a perfect balance assumption on both observed covariates and pre-treatment outcomes. In the absence of a perfect balance on covariates, we show that it is still possible to derive such bounds, albeit at the expense of relying on stronger assumptions about the effects of observed and unobserved covariates and of generating looser bounds. We also show that a perfect balance on pre-treatment outcomes does not generally imply an approximate balance for all covariates, even when they are all relevant. Our results have important implications for the implementation of the method.
Quantile coherency: A general measure for dependence between cyclical economic variables
Authors: Baruník Jozef , Kley Tobias
Published: January 2019

In this paper, we introduce quantile coherency to measure general dependence structures emerging in the joint distribution in the frequency domain and argue that this type of dependence is natural for economic time series but remains invisible when only the traditional analysis is employed. We define estimators that capture the general dependence structure, provide a detailed analysis of their asymptotic properties, and discuss how to conduct inference for a general class of possibly nonlinear processes. In an empirical illustration we examine the dependence of bivariate stock market returns and shed new light on measurement of tail risk in financial markets. We also provide a modelling exercise to illustrate how applied researchers can benefit from using quantile coherency when assessing time series models.
Amylase level in cervical drain fluid and anastomotic leakage after cervical oesophagogastrostomy†
Authors: Yu Woo Sik , Jung Joonho , Shin Hyejung , Roh Yunho , Byun Go Eun , Kim Dae Joon , Haam Seokjin , Park Seong Yong
Published: January 2019

OBJECTIVES

Anastomotic leakage after oesophageal cancer surgery is a serious complication. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possibility of anastomotic leakage by repeatedly measuring amylase levels in the fluid obtained from the drainage tube inserted at the cervical anastomotic site.

METHODS

Ninety-nine patients who underwent oesophagectomy and cervical oesophagogastrostomy between April 2014 and March 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. A drainage tube was placed at the anastomotic site, and amylase levels were measured daily from postoperative day (POD) 1 until oral feeding or confirmation of anastomotic leakage. The amylase levels were analysed with a linear mixed model.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 64.9 ± 9.0 years, and there were 89 (89%) male patients. Almost all pathologies (92%) were squamous cell carcinomas. The anastomotic methods were as follows: 63 (63%) circular stapled, 33 (33%) hand-sewn and 3 (3%) semistapled. Anastomotic leakage was confirmed in 10 (10%) patients. The amylase levels increased until POD 2 in both the leakage and non-leakage groups, but the levels subsequently decreased in the non-leakage group, whereas the levels peaked on POD 3 in the leakage group. On performing the linear mixed model analysis, anastomotic leakage was significantly associated with the trends in postoperative amylase levels in the drainage tube (P < 0.001). Trends in the serum C-reactive protein levels and white blood cell count were not significantly associated with anastomotic leakage.

CONCLUSIONS

Amylase level trends measured in the cervical drain fluid can be a useful indicator of anastomotic leakage after cervical oesophagogastrostomy.
Revisiting firm flexibility and efficiency: evidence from the EU dairy processing industry
Authors: Hirsch Stefan , Mishra Ashok , Möhring Niklas , Finger Robert
Published: January 2019

We analyse the flexibility of EU dairy processors to adjust production to fluctuating economic conditions. For a set of 2,186 firms, we derive production flexibility measures representing the effect of output variations on costs. The results reveal that flexibility is highest in Poland and Italy and lowest in Spain. Several firm-specific factors, such as size and age of the firm, are found to affect firm flexibility. Moreover, we detect a tradeoff between flexibility and technical efficiency for large firms indicating that a sole focus on firm efficiency can be insufficient. Finally, the results show that during economic crisis flexibility can help to sustain profitability.
Intergenerational Transmission and Support for EU Membership in the United Kingdom: The Case of Brexit
Authors: Fox Stuart , Hampton Jennifer May , Muddiman Esther , Taylor Chris
Published: January 2019

Euroscepticism is increasingly important to the shaping and understanding of contemporary European public opinion and politics. The origins of the trait, however, particularly the values that predispose individuals to view the European Union (EU) as a legitimate (or otherwise) political institution, remain poorly understood. Literature on political socialization identifies the family as a vital influence on the development of many social and political attitudes. This study explores the role of the family in the development of Euroscepticism by examining evidence of intergenerational transmission of hostility towards membership of the EU between parents and children in the United Kingdom during its ‘Brexit referendum’. The study shows that the attitudes of parents during one’s politically formative years can be an important factor in shaping support for EU membership. It also finds that this intergenerational transmission is different for mothers and fathers: while there is a greater likelihood of a child’s attitudes being affected by those of their father, if they are affected by their mother’s views they are more likely to eventually share their mother’s position on EU membership. This identifies the family as a key source of the values that shape support for European integration, potentially accelerating or opposing other social trends that have resulted in successive generations typically being more supportive of EU membership.
Amphibious surface-wave phase-velocity measurements of the Cascadia subduction zone
Authors: Janiszewski Helen A , Gaherty James B , Abers Geoffrey A , Gao Haiying , Eilon Zachary C
Published: January 2019

A new amphibious seismic data set from the Cascadia subduction zone is used to characterize the lithosphere structure from the Juan de Fuca ridge to the Cascades backarc. These seismic data are allowing the imaging of an entire tectonic plate from its creation at the ridge through the onset of the subduction to beyond the volcanic arc, along the entire strike of the Cascadia subduction zone. We develop a tilt and compliance correction procedure for ocean-bottom seismometers that employs automated quality control to calculate robust station noise properties. To elucidate crust and upper-mantle structure, we present shoreline-crossing Rayleigh-wave phase-velocity maps for the Cascadia subduction zone, calculated from earthquake data from 20 to 160 s period and from ambient-noise correlations from 9 to 20 s period. We interpret the phase-velocity maps in terms of the tectonics associated with the Juan de Fuca plate history and the Cascadia subduction system. We find that thermal oceanic plate cooling models cannot explain velocity anomalies observed beneath the Juan de Fuca plate. Instead, they may be explained by a ≤1 per cent partial melt region beneath the ridge and are spatially collocated with patches of hydration and increased faulting in the crust and upper mantle near the deformation front. In the forearc, slow velocities appear to be more prevalent in areas that experienced high slip in past Cascadia megathrust earthquakes and generally occur updip of the highest-density tremor regions and locations of intraplate earthquakes. Beneath the volcanic arc, the slowest phase velocities correlate with regions of highest magma production volume.
Analysis of whole-school policy changes in Austrian schools
Authors: Teutsch Friedrich , Gugglberger Lisa
Published: January 2019

Health Policies with school-wide effects have been shown to improve the health of students and school staff, but in practice, schools struggle with this approach. Ten Austrian schools which had recently adopted new time structure policies were investigated: On the basis of 19 interviews with school staff, we used thematic analysis to identify facilitating and hindering factors for the implementation processes. Furthermore, agency analysis was applied, in which the interviewees’ use of language was interpreted to estimate their perception of their own agency in the context of policy change. We found that in schools where policy changes were perceived as successfully implemented, staff was convinced of the benefits. In these schools, time structures were understood to directly influence learning and teaching processes and staff members showed a strong feeling of agency. On the other hand, schools were confronted with hindering factors similar to those known from the implementation of other health policies. The results are discussed in the light of current implementation practices, and conclusions for practitioners are drawn.
The Rectangular Representation of the Double Affine Hecke Algebra via Elliptic Schur–Weyl Duality
Authors: Jordan David , Vazirani Monica
Published: January 2019

Given a module $M$ for the algebra ${\mathcal{D}}_{\mathtt{q}}(G)$ of quantum differential operators on $G$, and a positive integer $n$, we may equip the space $F_n^G(M)$ of invariant tensors in $V^{\otimes n}\otimes M$, with an action of the double affine Hecke algebra of type $A_{n-1}$. Here $G= SL_N$ or $GL_N$, and $V$ is the $N$-dimensional defining representation of $G$. In this paper, we take $M$ to be the basic ${\mathcal{D}}_{\mathtt{q}}(G)$-module, that is, the quantized coordinate algebra $M= {\mathcal{O}}_{\mathtt{q}}(G)$. We describe a weight basis for $F_n^G({\mathcal{O}}_{\mathtt{q}}(G))$ combinatorially in terms of walks in the type $A$ weight lattice, and standard periodic tableaux, and subsequently identify $F_n^G({\mathcal{O}}_{\mathtt{q}}(G))$ with the irreducible “rectangular representation” of height $N$ of the double affine Hecke algebra.
Neuraminidase, the Forgotten Surface Antigen, Emerges as an Influenza Vaccine Target for Broadened Protection
Authors: Eichelberger Maryna C , Monto Arnold S
Published: January 2019

For 50 years it has been known that antibodies to neuraminidase (NA) protect against infection during seasonal and pandemic influenza outbreaks. However, NA is largely ignored in the formulation and standardization of our current influenza vaccines. There are a number of factors that contributed to this antigen being forgotten, including the lack of an easily performed test to measure NA antibody. With the availability of that test, it has been possible to show its independent contribution to protection in various situations. The challenge now is to make it possible to include known amounts of NA in investigational vaccines or to routinely measure NA content in licensed vaccines. Vaccines containing optimal amounts of NA may be particularly useful when there are antigenic changes, either drift or shift, in the hemagglutinin because NA immunity offers broad protection. It is now time to remember the NA as we work toward improved influenza vaccines.
Validation of a point-of-care rapid diagnostic test for hepatitis C for use in resource-limited settings
Authors: Leathers James S , Pisano Maria Belen , Re Viviana , van Oord Gertine , Sultan Amir , Boonstra Andre , Debes Jose D
Published: January 2019

Background

Treatment of HCV with direct-acting antivirals has enabled the discussion of HCV eradication worldwide. Envisioning this aim requires implementation of mass screening in resource-limited areas, usually constrained by testing costs.

Methods

We validated a low-cost, rapid diagnosis test (RDT) for HCV in three different continents in 141 individuals.

Results

The HCV RDT showed 100% specificity and sensitivity across different samples regardless of genotype or viral load (in samples with such information, 90%).

Conclusions

The HCV test validated in this study can allow for HCV screening in areas of need when properly used.
Healthcare accessibility in the rural plains (terai) of Nepal: physical factors and associated attitudes of the local population
Authors: Ashworth Henry C , Roux Thomas L , Buggy Conor J
Published: January 2019

Background

While access to healthcare has been a focus of international development, populations around the world continue to lack proper access to care. Identifying at-risk demographic groups can help advance efforts both regionally and internationally. There are only a small number of studies that previously have assessed physical barriers and attitudes in Nepal.

Methods

This study assessed the factors and attitudes associated with healthcare accessibility in a rural population outside of Lumbini, Nepal. This descriptive cross-sectional study used a volunteer-sampling approach to collect 585 questionnaire responses from the area formerly known as the Madhuwani Village Development Committee.

Results

The study found that the population was more likely to access private care than public, and reported longer times to access a hospital than the national average. Across almost all findings, those with lower than a secondary education had significantly larger barriers, lower satisfaction and higher reported difficulty in accessing healthcare. Females were shown to have significantly larger transportation barriers in accessing care and lower satisfaction compared with males.

Conclusions

Results identify women and the less-educated as having larger barriers to accessing healthcare. Further research should focus on how inequities in access affect health outcomes among these identified vulnerable groups.
Anti-receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand antibody treatment increases osteoclastogenesis-promoting IL-8 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Morita Takayoshi , Shima Yoshihito , Fujimoto Kosuke , Tsuboi Hideki , Saeki Yukihiko , Narazaki Masashi , Ogata Atsushi , Kumanogoh Atsushi
Published: January 2019

The receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) is an important factor for osteoclastogenesis and contributes to the pathology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA); thus, the anti-RANKL antibody (Ab) has been expected to protect joint destruction in RA patients. IL-8 also has osteoclastogenic activity; however, the role of IL-8 in the bone pathology of RA as well as the relation between IL-8 and RANKL remain unclear. In the present study, clinical observation revealed serum IL-8 levels of 611 pg ml−1 in RA patients with anti-RANKL Ab and 266 pg ml−1 in the same patients without anti-RANKL Ab. In vitro assay showed that anti-RANKL Ab induced production of IL-8 from pre-osteoclast-like cells (OCLs), and IL-8 promoted the formation of OCLs from peripheral monocytes even without RANKL activity. We further showed that treatment with FK506 (tacrolimus) possibly inhibits the increase in IL-8 levels in RA patients with anti-RANKL Ab, and in vitro assay confirmed that FK506 suppressed IL-8 production in pre-OCLs. These results suggest that inhibition of RANKL induces the change in osteoclastogenesis-promoting factor from RANKL to IL-8, and FK506 may be a valuable combination drug to support the use of anti-RANKL Ab in treatment of RA.
Crossing Borders in the Summer of 1935: Fritz Fürstenberg’s Photographs of Persecution in National Socialist Germany
Authors: Kreutzmüller Christoph , Ziehe Theresia
Published: January 2019

While there are hundreds of written accounts of the Holocaust, there are only a few photographs known to document the fate of the persecuted from their own point of view. This article presents the case study of a photographic series taken inside Germany by Jewish businessman Fritz Fürstenberg in order to provide evidence of National Socialist persecution beyond its borders. After a close reading that reveals where and under which circumstances Fürstenberg took his photographs, the article broadens its scope to discuss how the images were eventually used in the Netherlands as a means of documenting National Socialist persecution. In the process, the article’s authors add another layer to the ‘integrated history’ famously advocated by Saul Friedländer, and call attention to the astonishing fact that research into such private photographs is still a desideratum—and as such a promising field for future research.
Parameters to Be Measured during Exercise
Authors: Thomas Gregory S. , Ellestad Myrvin H.
Published: January 2019

The chapter Parameters to be Measured During Exercise reviews the physiologic changes with exercise which indicate health and disease. Key parameters include blood pressure, heart rate, electrocardiographic changes, exercise duration, maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max), and anaerobic threshold. An in-depth review and consensus estimate is provided to estimate metabolic equivalents (METs) achieved based on exercise duration on the Bruce and Ellestad protocols. Use of bipolar leads for detection of exercise induced myocardial ischemia is discussed, typified by CM5 which captures up to 90% of patients with an electrocardiographic manifestation of ischemia. Changes in murmurs that occur with exercise are reviewed; walk-through angina and chronotropic incompetence.
Stress Testing Protocols
Authors: Thomas Gregory S. , Ellestad Myrvin H.
Published: January 2019

The chapter Exercise Testing Protocols compares the types of protocols available. Historically, exercise testing began with protocols eliciting a submaximal effort. With time, other protocols were developed including intermittent exercise with rest between exercise stages, a ramp protocol with gradually increasing stages, bicycle ergometry, isometric testing and mental stress testing. Given their ability to measure or estimate maximal oxygen consumption (V̇02max) and assess myocardial ischemia during and a peak exercise, maximal treadmill exercise protocols became the most popular. Most commonly used have been those of Bruce, Ellestad, Balke and Ware, Astrand, and Cornell. All successfully achieve maximal workload in a predictable manner.
Supervision of Stress Testing by Nonphysicians
Authors: Coats Nancy P. , Oaks Lisa A.
Published: January 2019

The chapter Supervision of Stress Testing by Nonphysicians reviews the opportunity and competency requirements of advanced practice nurses supervising exercise and vasodilator stress tests. The multisociety Task Force Statement on Clinical Competency is reviewed detailing the cognitive and skill competencies necessary for non-physician and physician supervision of stress testing. The impact of regulations of the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on nonphysician supervision is analyzed. Step-by-step recommendations for test performance by nonphysicians is reviewed including preparation, review of patient history and past diagnostic testing, test supervision, and reporting. Guidelines for exercise physiologist supervision of exercise testing are discussed. Opportunities to maximize patient safety and manage adverse events are discussed. A comprehensive review of the impact of drug interactions with exercise and pharmacologic testing is included.
Making Clinical Decisions Based on Treadmill Exercise Testing without Imaging
Authors: Wann L. Samuel , Thomas Gregory S.
Published: January 2019

The chapter Making Clinical Decisions Based on Exercise Testing without Imaging highlights the opportunities to diagnose and predict prognosis with exercise testing separate from the integration of myocardial perfusion imaging with single photon emission computed tomography or positron emission tomography, stress echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and coronary calcium scoring. Exercise testing is increasing dominated by use of evermore sophisticated imaging techniques that have improved the sensitivity and specificity of stress testing for detecting and characterizing myocardial ischemia but greatly increasing cost and complexity. This chapter discusses the insights to be gained from direct, personal observation of a patient as he or she exercises, including changes in ECG, blood pressure, and pulse with the degree of exercise. The diagnostic algorithm of Bourque and Beller for the evaluation of stable angina is reviewed.
Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Responses to Exercise
Authors: Sylvies Fiona R. , Ellestad Myrvin H.
Published: January 2019

The chapter Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Responses to Exercise reviews the changes in cardiac function when called upon to increase its output of oxygenated blood during exercise. A deep understanding of exercise physiology enhances one’s ability to understand the pathophysiology of ischemia and coronary artery disease (CAD) inherent in the performance of stress testing. With the onset of exercise, the body exhibits an almost immediate response through alterations in heart rate, preload, contractility, stroke volume, and coronary blood flow, all to compensate for augmented metabolic demands. Individual characteristics such as age, sex, and fitness impact a person’s physiological response to exertion. Differences in exercise modality, duration, intensity, and frequency will provoke unique responses, which can be utilized to design exercise prescriptions specific to a patient’s goals and medical needs.
Short-Rib (±Polydactyly) Dysplasias
Authors: Spranger Jürgen W. , Brill Paula W. , Hall Christine , Nishimura Gen , Superti-Furga Andrea , Unger Sheila
Published: January 2019

This chapter discusses short-rib (± polydactyly) dysplasias and related disorders and includes discussion on asphyxiating thoracic dysplasia, Ellis van Creveld syndrome, short rib ±polydactyly syndrome (Saldino-Noonan and Verma-Naumoff types), short rib (±polydactyly) syndrome (Majewski type), short rib ±polydactyly syndrome (Beemer-Langer type), cranioectodermal dysplasia, Mainzer-Saldino syndrome, and axial spondylometaphyseal dysplasia. Each discussion includes major radiographic features, major clinical findings, genetics, major differential diagnoses, and a bibliography.