bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rhinocerebral mucormycosis, risk factors and the type of oral manifestations in patients referred to a University Hospital in Tabriz, Iran 2007‐2017
Authors: Nezafati Saeed , Kazemi Abdolhassan , Asgari Kasra , Bahrami Amir , Naghili Behrooz , Yazdani Javad
Published: June 2018

Inadequate data are available on the global epidemiology of mucormycosis, mainly derived from the evaluation of specific population groups. Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is an invading and fatal mycosis, particularly among diabetic patients. In the present study, patients hospitalised in Imam Reza Hospital in Tabriz, from 2007 to 2017, were evaluated. The hospital information system (HIS) was used to collect the records of the patients. A total of 42 patients with a diagnosis of mucormycosis were included in the study, 40 cases (95%) of which had a diagnosis of the rhinocerebral form. Of these 40 patients, 21 (52.5%) and 19 (47.5%) were male and female, respectively. Seven cases (17.5%) of rhinocerebral mucormycosis were due to dental procedures. The most predisposing factor in the patients was diabetes with 36 (90%) cases. In our study, the role of tooth extraction in patients with uncontrolled diabetes was identified as an important factor. It may show the important role of dentists in preventing of the disease in diabetic patients.
Real‐world geographic variations in the use of cardiac implantable electronic devices—The PANORAMA 2 observational cohort study
Authors: Bastian Dirk , Ebrahim Iftikhar O. , Chen Ju‐Yi , Chen Mien‐Cheng , Huang Dejia , Huang Jin‐Long , Kuznetsov Vadim A. , Maus Bärbel , Naik Ajay M. , Verhees Koen J.P. , Fagih Ahmed R. Al ,   on behalf of the PANORAMA 2 investigators
Published: June 2018

Background

Currently, several geographies around the world remain underrepresented in medical device trials. The PANORAMA 2 study was designed to assess contemporary region‐specific differences in clinical practice patterns of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs).

Methods

In this prospective, multicenter, observational, multinational study, baseline and implant data of 4,706 patients receiving Medtronic CIEDs (Medtronic plc, Minneapolis, MN, USA; either de novo device implants, replacements, or upgrades) were analyzed, consisting of: 54% implantable pulse generators (IPGs), 20.3% implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs), 15% cardiac resynchronization therapy ‐defibrillators, and 5.1% cardiac resynchronization therapy ‐pacemakers, from 117 hospitals in 23 countries across four geographical regions between 2012 and 2016.

Results

For all device types, in all regions, there were fewer females than males enrolled, and women were less likely to have ischemic cardiomyopathy. Implant procedure duration differed significantly across the geographies for all device types. Subjects from emerging countries, women, and older patients were less likely to receive a magnetic resonance imaging‐compatible device. Defibrillation testing differed significantly between the regions. European patients had the highest rates of atrial fibrillation (AF), and the lowest number of implanted single‐chamber IPGs. Evaluation of stroke history suggested that the general embolic risk is more strongly associated with stroke than AF.

Conclusions

We provide comprehensive descriptive data on patients receiving Medtronic CIEDs from several geographies, some of which are understudied in randomized controlled trials. We found significant variations in patient characteristics. Several medical decisions appear to be affected by socioeconomic factors. Long‐term follow‐up data will help evaluate if these variations require adjustments to outcome expectations.
Laying Down Hume's Law
Authors: Qu Hsueh
Published: June 2018

Most interpretations of Hume's is/ought passage (THN 3.1.1.27) can be broadly divided into two camps: those thinking Hume to rule out logical inferences from is to ought, and those thinking Hume to only raise surmountable difficulties for inferences from is to ought. I undermine the positive support for both these interpretations, and argue, by drawing parallels with Hume's argument on induction, that Hume's Law instead rules outallforms of inference from is to ought.
Deployment of cold tolerance loci from Oryza sativa ssp. Japonica cv. ‘Nipponbare’ in a high‐yielding Indica rice cultivar ‘93‐11’
Authors: Li Lanying , Mao Donghai
Published: June 2018

Cold tolerance is a complex trait, and QTL pyramiding is required for rice breeding. In this study, a total of seven QTLs for cold tolerance in the Japonica rice variety ‘Nipponbare’ were identified in an F2:3 population. A stably inherited major QTL, called qCTS11, was detected in the region adjacent to the centromere of chromosome 11. In a near‐isogenic line population, the QTL was further dissected into two linked loci, qCTS11.1 and qCTS11.2. Both of the homozygous alleles of qCTS11.1 and qCTS11.2 from ‘Nipponbare’ showed major positive effects on cold tolerance. Through pyramiding the linked QTLs in the cold‐sensitive Indica rice cultivar ‘93‐11’, we have developed a new elite, high‐yielding Indica variety with cold tolerance.
Polymer Dots as Effective Phototheranostic Agents
Authors: Guo Liang , Ge Jiechao , Wang Pengfei
Published: June 2018

Conjugated polymer dots (Pdots, also named polymer nanoparticles, PNPs), which consist of π‐conjugated organic polymers, are novel organic nanomaterials with size in the range of 1–100 nm. Compared with traditional organic small molecules, semiconductor quantum dots and inorganic nanomaterials, the Pdots exhibit significant potential applications in biological imaging, sensing and detection, drug delivery and theranostics, due to their advantages of special optical properties, diverse structure, easy surface modification and good biocompatibility. In this short review, we present a brief summary of the current development in Pdots as phototheranostic agents, including fluorescence imaging, photoacoustic imaging, photodynamic therapy and photothermal therapy. Current challenges in Pdot research and future directions in the field are proposed.
Improving Assessment of Lifetime Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure in Epidemiologic Studies: Comparison of Ultraviolet Exposure Assessment Methods in a Nationwide U.S. Occupational Cohort
Authors: Little Mark P. , Tatalovich Zaria , Linet Martha S. , Fang Michelle , Kendall Gerald M. , Kimlin Michael G.
Published: June 2018

Solar ultraviolet radiation is the primary risk factor for skin cancers and sun‐related eye disorders. Estimates of individual ambient ultraviolet irradiance derived from ground‐based solar measurements and from satellite measurements have rarely been compared. Using self‐reported residential history from 67 189 persons in a nationwide occupational US radiologic technologists’ cohort, we estimated ambient solar irradiance using data from ground‐based meters and noontime satellite measurements. The mean distance moved from city of longest residence in childhood increased from 137.6 km at ages 13–19 to 870.3 km at ages ≥65, with corresponding increases in absolute latitude difference moved. At ages 20/40/60/80, the Pearson/Spearman correlation coefficients of ground‐based and satellite‐derived potential solar ultraviolet exposure, using irradiance and cumulative radiant exposure metrics, were high (=0.87–0.92). There was also moderate correlation (Pearson/Spearman correlation coefficients = 0.51–0.60) between irradiance at birth and at last‐known address, for ground‐based and satellite data. Satellite‐based lifetime estimates of ultraviolet radiation were generally 14–15% lower than ground‐based estimates, albeit with substantial uncertainties, possibly because ground‐based estimates incorporate fluctuations in cloud and ozone, which are incompletely incorporated in the single noontime satellite‐overpass ultraviolet value. If confirmed elsewhere, the findings suggest that ground‐based estimates may improve exposure assessment accuracy and potentially provide new insights into ultraviolet radiation–disease relationships in epidemiologic studies.
Could quality be the key in connective tissue disease‐associated interstitial lung disease?
Authors: Molyneaux Philip L. , Maher Toby M.
Published: June 2018

See related Article
Mycobacterium abscessus Left Ventricle Assist Device Driveline Infections: An Emerging Pathogen?
Authors: Nunez Breton Jonatan David , Hernandez Gabriel , Simkins Jacques , Chaparro Sandra Viviana
Published: June 2018

The use of left ventricular assist device is associated with improvement in survival in patients with refractory heart failure. However, driveline infection limits the success of its use as it is associated with significant mortality. We describe the first 2 cases of Mycobacterium abscessus driveline infection. Both patients had persistent infection despite of aggressive antibiotic treatment and local debridement, and only improved after removal of their left ventricular assist devices.
Treatment of carprofen overdose with therapeutic plasma exchange in a dog
Authors: Kjaergaard Astrid B. , Davis Jennifer L. , Acierno Mark J.
Published: June 2018

Objective

To report the use of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in a dog with carprofen toxicosis.

A 6‐year‐old female neutered Bichon Frise weighing 6.9 kg was examined after it had ingested 72 mg/kg carprofen. Mild dehydration without azotemia and with a urine specific gravity of 1.050 was noted at presentation. Treatment consisted of induction of emesis, symptomatic medical therapy, and TPE. The TPE achieved 1.5 plasma volume exchanges over 3 hours. Blood samples and effluent samples were collected every 30 minutes during TPE and additional blood samples were collected 11 and 35 hours after treatment. Carprofen concentrations in these samples were determined by high‐pressure liquid chromatography. A 51% reduction in serum carprofen concentration was achieved following TPE.

New or Unique Information Provided

This report describes the successful reduction of plasma carprofen concentration in a dog using TPE. Although recent studies suggest that this particular dog may not have received a toxic dose, a 51% reduction of plasma carprofen concentration was achieved over 180 minutes, and TPE may be beneficial for treatment of dogs that have ingested higher doses.
Treatment of acute kidney injury secondary to oak intoxication with hemodialysis in a miniature zebu
Authors: Davy‐Moyle Rachel B. , Londoño Leo , Nelson Elizabeth A. , Bandt Carsten
Published: June 2018

Objective

To describe the successful management of acute kidney injury (AKI) secondary to oak intoxication using hemodialysis in a miniature zebu.

Case Summary

A 1‐year‐old male intact miniature zebu was presented for evaluation of a 2‐day history of lethargy, anorexia, decreased urine production, and dry, firm stool. Initial diagnostics revealed severe azotemia and the bull was presumptively diagnosed with AKI secondary to oak intoxication due to free access to oak trees in the pasture. Despite conventional management with IV fluids and supportive therapy, the degree of azotemia progressively worsened, and the bull became oliguric and fluid overloaded. Two treatments with hemodialysis resulted in reduction of azotemia and ketonemia, and resolution of fluid overload and oliguria. The zebu was discharged from the hospital after 10 days of hospitalization.

New or Unique Information Provided

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case using hemodialysis for AKI in a bovid. Treatment with hemodialysis was effective in this case resulting in rapid resolution of azotemia, fluid overload, and oliguria. Hemodialysis may hasten the recovery and decrease morbidity and mortality in bovids with AKI.
Canine ovariectomy by hybrid or total natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery: technical feasibility study and pain assessment
Authors: Linhares Marcella Teixeira , Feranti João Pedro Scussel , Coradini Gabriela Pesamosca , Martins Letícia Reginato , Martins Arthur Rodrigues , Sarturi Vanessa Zanchi , Gavioli Felipe Baldissarella , Machado Silva Marco Augusto , de Ataíde Michelli Westphal , Teixeira Luciana Gonçalves , Brun Maurício Veloso
Published: June 2018

Objective

To compare technical feasibility, surgical time, surgical complications, and postoperative pain in ovariectomy (OVE) by hybrid and total natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES).

Study design

Prospective randomized clinical trial.

Animals

Sixteen healthy and sexually intact bitches.

Methods

Dogs were randomly assigned to the hybrid NOTES group (HNG; n = 8) and the total NOTES group (TNG; n = 8) to compare surgical time, pain scores and complications. Pain was assessed by using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Melbourne pain scale (MPS).

Results

Surgical time did not differ between the experimental groups (HNG = 46.3 ± 18.5 minutes, TNG = 54.6 ± 31.1 minutes). Exteriorization of the ovaries through the vaginal wound was the major difficulty. Complications were minor in both groups and occurred intraoperatively only in the HNG, and in both groups post operatively. No dogs required rescue analgesia in the intraoperative or postoperative period. There were no differences in VAS or MPS scores between the groups for any surgical times except for the VAS assessment at 72 hours after extubation (HNG = 1.1 ± 0.3, TNG = 0.7 ± 0.4,P = .0221).

Conclusion

Both NOTES techniques were comparable for canine OVE, with no requirement for additional analgesia in the postoperative periods. It was not possible to determine whether there was a clear advantage of one technique rather than the other.

Clinical significance

The minimally invasive techniques proposed for laparoscopic OVE are feasible for dogs with low pain scores and low rates of complications for both groups.
Examination of the Job Satisfaction of Teachers Working With Individuals in Need of Special Education With Regard to Certain Variables
Authors: Yavuz Mehmet
Published: June 2018

In this study, the job satisfaction levels of teachers working with individuals in need of special education were examined with regard to certain variables. General survey model was used in the study and the study group of this research was comprised of teachers from all over Turkey who work at special education schools, integration and special education classrooms. The job satisfaction scale developed by Şahin (1999) was used in the study. The scale was developed using Google and administered online on December 08, 2017 and December 30, 2017. A total of 465 teachers participated in the study. SPSS 22 software was used for data analysis. Besides, descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test and one-way ANOVA test were used for data analysis. As for the results of the study, while no statistically significant difference was found in terms of gender, number of working years, considered income level, and age, statistically significant differences were observed according to salary, receiving support from colleagues, receiving praise from administrators, finding working at special education schools convenient variables.
Modeling of the multimodal radiation from an open-ended waveguide
Authors: Félix Simon , Doc Jean-Baptiste , Boucher Matthew A.
Published: June 2018

The multimodal radiation from the open end of a cylindrical waveguide with arbitrary wall thickness is solved by deriving algebraic solutions of the radiation impedance matrix, without restrictive hypothesis on the frequency range. The basic idea of the method is to turn the original unbounded problem into the problem of a cylindrical waveguide embedded in an infinite waveguide with an annular perfectly matched layer (PML) on its wall. Then, using a multimodal formalism of the guided wave propagation and a complex coordinate stretching PML, algebraic expressions are derived for the continuity and radiation conditions in this coupled system.
Learner-Centered Coach Education: Practical Recommendations for Coach Development Administrators
Authors: Paquette Kyle , Trudel Pierre
Published: June 2018

Despite a well-established understanding of the complexity inherent to both learning and sport coaching, programs designed to educate coaches have until recently been guided by pedagogical approaches aligned with rather simplistic views of learning. Thanks to the critical and innovative efforts of coaching scholars to uncover the shortcomings of traditional programs and their guiding epistemic traditions, coach education is becoming increasingly infused with constructivist, learner-centered (LC) strategies to help meet the complex needs of coaches. Although many LC informed recommendations have been offered, rarely do they provide coach development administrators (CDAs) with concrete, practical suggestions. Furthermore, the recommendations are scattered throughout the literature, which makes an already arduous task of bridging research and practice even more difficult for CDAs. Guided by the LC literature, a practical learner-centered teaching (LCT) framework, and previous recommendations presented in the coach education literature, this Best Practices paper presents a theoretically robust and empirically supported collection of practical recommendations for CDAs to support three critical areas of LC coach education: program design, facilitation, and coach engagement.
Coaching and Coach Education in the Football Association of Ireland
Authors: O’Regan Niall , Kelly Seamus
Published: June 2018

The island of Ireland is quite unique in its dynamic due, in part, to the geographical and political separation between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Historically, the Island of Ireland had one governing body for association football. Currently, the Irish Football Association (IFA) governs Northern Ireland while the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) governs the Republic of Ireland in the south. Interestingly, not all sports (e.g., Irish Rugby Football Union) on the Island of Ireland have separate Governing Bodies. This paper provides a brief historical overview of this separation between the FAI and IFA. Following this, we explore the history of coach education in the FAI and an overview of the FAI Player Development Plan. Then, we explore how coach education was, and is currently, structured with particular focus on recent improvements in terms of how coach education courses are delivered and assessed. The final section provides a brief overview of the future of coach education within the FAI.
Curbing cholera
Authors: Hall Robert H.
Published: June 2018

Colonization of the gut by virulent
Vibrio cholerae
is suppressed by probiotic-like activity of a live cholera vaccine candidate and
Lactococcus lactis
in two animal models (Hubbard
et al.
and Mao
et al.
, this issue).
The placenta as a source of vascular grafts
Authors: Conway Claire
Published: June 2018

Decellularized human placental arteries show potential for use as small-diameter vascular grafts in a rodent model.
ELK-1: A molecular substrate of depression
Authors: Liston Conor
Published: June 2018

Converging data from depressed patients and rodent chronic stress models implicate ELK-1, a stress-related transcription factor, in the pathophysiology of depression.
Antibacterial Activity of Human Simulated Epithelial Lining Fluid Concentrations of Ceftazidime-Avibactam Alone or in Combination with Amikacin Inhale (BAY41-6551) against Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Almarzoky Abuhussain Safa S. , Kuti Joseph L. , Nicolau David P.
Published: June 2018

The role of inhalational combination therapy when treating carbapenem-resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and
Klebsiella pneumoniae
with newer beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitors has not been established. Using a 72-h
in vitro
pharmacodynamic chemostat model, we simulated the human exposures achieved in epithelial lining fluid (ELF) following intravenous treatment with ceftazidime-avibactam (CZA) 2.5 g every 8 h (q8h) alone and in combination with inhaled amikacin (AMK-I) 400 mg q12h, a reformulated aminoglycoside designed for inhalational administration, against three
P. aeruginosa
isolates (CZA [ceftazidime/avibactam] MICs, 4/4 to 8/4 μg/ml; AMK-I MICs, 8 to 64 μg/ml) and three
K. pneumoniae
isolates (CZA MICs, 1/4 to 8/4 μg/ml; AMK-I MICs, 32 to 64 μg/ml). Combination therapy resulted in a significant reduction in 72-h CFU compared with that of CZA monotherapy against two of three
P. aeruginosa
isolates (−4.14 log
10
CFU/ml,
P
= 0.027; −1.42 log
10
CFU/ml,
P
= 0.020; and −0.4 log
10
CFU/ml,
P
= 0.298) and two of three
K. pneumoniae
isolates (0.04 log
10
CFU/ml,
P
= 0.963; −4.34 log
10
CFU/ml,
P
< 0.001; and −2.34 log
10
CFU/ml,
P
= 0.021). When measured by the area under the bacterial growth curve (AUBC) over 72 h, significant reductions were observed in favor of the combination regimen against all six isolates tested. AMK-I combination therapy successfully suppressed CZA resistance development in one
K. pneumoniae
isolate harboring
bla
KPC-3
that was observed during CZA monotherapy. These studies suggest a beneficial role for combination therapy with intravenous CZA and inhaled AMK when treating pneumonia caused by carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.
Assessment of the
In Vivo
Activity of SPR741 in Combination with Azithromycin against Multidrug-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Isolates in the Neutropenic Murine Thigh Infection Model
Authors: Stainton Sean M. , Abdelraouf Kamilia , Utley Luke , Pucci Michael J. , Lister Troy , Nicolau David P.
Published: June 2018

SPR741 is a novel agent with structural similarity to polymyxins that is capable of potentiating the activities of various classes of antibiotics. Previously published studies indicated that although
Enterobacteriaceae
isolates had minimal susceptibilities to azithromycin (AZM), the
in vitro
antimicrobial activity of AZM against
Enterobacteriaceae
was enhanced when it was combined with SPR741. The current study evaluated the
in vivo
activity of human-simulated regimens (HSR) of AZM equivalent to clinical doses of 500 mg given intravenously (i.v.) every 24 h (q24h) and SPR741 equivalent to clinical doses of 400 mg q8h i.v. (1-h infusion), alone and in combination, against multidrug-resistant (MDR)
Enterobacteriaceae
. We studied 30 MDR
Enterobacteriaceae
isolates expressing a wide spectrum of β-lactamases (ESBL, NDM, VIM, and KPC), including a subset of isolates positive for genes conferring macrolide resistance (
mphA
,
mphE
,
ermB
, and
msr
).
In vivo
activity was assessed as the change in log
10
CFU per thigh at 24 h compared with 0 h. Treatment with AZM alone was associated with net growth of 2.60 ± 0.83 log
10
CFU/thigh. Among isolates with AZM MICs of ≤16 mg/liter, treatment with AZM-SPR741was associated with an average reduction in bacterial burden of −0.53 ± 0.82 log
10
CFU/thigh, and stasis to 1-log kill was observed in 9/11 isolates (81.8%). Combination therapy with an AZM-SPR741 HSR showed promising
in vivo
activity against MDR
Enterobacteriaceae
isolates with AZM MICs of ≤16 mg/liter, including those producing a variety of β-lactamases. These data support a potential role for AZM-SPR741 in the treatment of infections due to MDR
Enterobacteriaceae
.
Population Pharmacokinetic Study of Amoxicillin-Treated Burn Patients Hospitalized at a Swiss Tertiary-Care Center
Authors: Fournier Anne , Goutelle Sylvain , Que Yok-Ai , Eggimann Philippe , Pantet Olivier , Sadeghipour Farshid , Voirol Pierre , Csajka Chantal
Published: June 2018

The objective of this study was to investigate the population pharmacokinetics (PK) of amoxicillin in ICU burn patients and the optimal dosage regimens. This was a prospective study involving 21 consecutive burn patients receiving amoxicillin.
Efficacy and Pharmacokinetics Evaluation of a Single Oral Dose of Afoxolaner against Sarcoptesscabiei in the Porcine Scabies Model for Human Infestation
Authors: Bernigaud Charlotte , Fang Fang , Fischer Katja , Lespine Anne , Aho Ludwig S. , Mullins Amanda J. , Tecle Berhane , Kelly Andrew , Sutra Jean-François , Moreau Francis , Lilin Thomas , Beugnet Frédéric , Botterel Françoise , Chosidow Olivier , Guillot Jacques
Published: June 2018

Scabies is a major and potentially growing public health problem worldwide with an unmet need for acaricidal agents with greater efficacy and improved pharmacological properties for its treatment. The objective of the present study was to assess the efficacy and describe the pharmacokinetics profile of a novel acaricide, afoxolaner (AFX), in a relevant experimental porcine model.
A Single Mutation at Position 156 in the Envelope Protein of Tembusu Virus Is Responsible for Virus Tissue Tropism and Transmissibility in Ducks
Authors: Yan Dawei , Shi Ying , Wang Haiwang , Li Guoxin , Li Xuesong , Wang Binbin , Su Xin , Wang Junheng , Teng Qiaoyang , Yang Jianmei , Chen Hongjun , Liu Qinfang , Ma Wenjun , Li Zejun
Published: June 2018

Tembusu virus, similar to other mosquito-borne flaviviruses such as WNV, JEV, and BAGV, can be transmitted without the presence of mosquito vectors. We demonstrate that the envelope protein of TMUV and its amino acid (S) at position 156 is responsible for tissue tropism and transmission in ducks. The mutation S156P results in disruption of N-linked glycosylation at amino acid 154 of the E protein and changes the conformation of “150 loop” of the E protein, which induces limited virus replication in lungs and abrogates transmission between ducks. Our findings provide new knowledge about TMUV transmission among ducks.
Efficient Genome Engineering of a Virulent Klebsiella Bacteriophage Using CRISPR-Cas9
Authors: Shen Juntao , Zhou Jinjie , Chen Guo-Qiang , Xiu Zhi-Long
Published: June 2018

In the present study, we have addressed efficient, time-saving, and cost-effective CRISPR-based phage genome editing of
Klebsiella
phage, which has the potential to significantly expand our knowledge of phage-host interactions and to promote applications of phage therapy. The distribution of sgRNA activity was first evaluated in phages. Short homologous arms were proven to be enough to introduce point mutation, small frameshift deletion, gene deletion, and swap into phages, and weak sgRNAs were proven useful for precise phage genome editing but failed to select random recombinants, all of which makes the CRISPR-based phage genome-editing method easier to use.
Health inequalities in hospitalisation and mortality in patients diagnosed with heart failure in a universal healthcare coverage system
Authors: Garcia Raquel , Abellana Rosa , Real Jordi , del Val José-Luis , Verdú-Rotellar Jose Maria , Muñoz Miguel-Angel
Published: June 2018

Background

Information regarding the effect of social determinants of health on heart failure (HF) community-dwelling patients is scarce. We aimed to analyse the presence of socioeconomic inequalities, and their impact on hospitalisations and mortality, in patients with HF attended in a universal healthcare coverage system.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study carried out in patients with HF aged >40 and attended at the 53 primary healthcare centres of the Institut Català de la Salut in Barcelona (Spain). Socioeconomic status (SES) was determined by an aggregated deprivation index (MEDEA). Cox proportional hazard models and competing-risks regression based on Fine and Gray’s proportional subhazards were performed to analyse hospitalisations due to of HF and total mortality that occurred between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2012.

Results

Mean age was 78.1 years (SD 10.2) and 56% were women. Among the 8235 patients included, 19.4% died during the 4 years of follow-up and 27.1% were hospitalised due to HF. A gradient in the risk of hospitalisation was observed according to SES with the highest risk in the lowest socioeconomic group (sHR 1.46, 95% CI 1.27 to 1.68). Nevertheless, overall mortality did not differ among the socioeconomic groups.

Conclusions

In spite of finding a gradient that linked socioeconomic deprivation to an increased risk of hospitalisation, there were no differences in mortality regarding SES in a universal healthcare coverage system.
A surrogate’s secrets are(n’t) safe with me: patient confidentiality in the care of a gestational surrogate
Authors: Horner Claire , Burcher Paul
Published: June 2018

Gestational surrogacy relies on a legal agreement between the surrogate and the intended parents to define the roles and responsibilities of the parties, including explicit consent by the surrogate to allow the physician to release all pregnancy-related medical information to the intended parents. In the event of surrogate misconduct, however, physicians may feel conflicted if the surrogate asks the physician to withhold information about potentially dangerous behaviour in pregnancy from the intended parents. While the American Society for Reproductive Medicine guidelines may support disclosure over the objections of the surrogate, the authors argue that such disclosure is a violation of the surrogate’s rights and the physician’s ethical and professional duties. A surrogate’s confidentiality must be maintained as it is an essential element of the physician–patient relationship.
BTS guidelines for the initial outpatient management of pulmonary embolism: there’s no place like home
Authors: Howard Luke S
Published: June 2018

This article provides an overview of the highlights and key points of the new BTS guideline for the initial outpatient management of pulmonary embolism.
Post-transcriptional regulation in hematopoiesis: RNA binding proteins take control
Authors: de Rooij Laura P.M.H. , Chan Derek C.H. , Keyvani Chahi Ava , Hope Kristin J.
Published: June 2018

Normal hematopoiesis is sustained through a carefully orchestrated balance between hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self-renewal and differentiation. The functional importance of this axis is underscored by the severity of disease phenotypes initiated by abnormal HSC function, including myelodysplastic syndromes and hematopoietic malignancies. Major advances in the understanding of transcriptional regulation of primitive hematopoietic cells have been achieved; however, the post-transcriptional regulatory layer that may impinge on their behavior remains underexplored by comparison. Key players at this level include RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), which execute precise and highly coordinated control of gene expression through modulation of RNA properties that include its splicing, polyadenylation, localization, degradation, or translation. With the recent identification of RBPs having essential roles in regulating proliferation and cell fate decisions in other systems, there has been an increasing appreciation of the importance of post-transcriptional control at the stem cell level. Here we discuss our current understanding of RBP-driven post-transcriptional regulation in HSCs, its implications for normal, perturbed, and malignant hematopoiesis, and the most recent technological innovations aimed at RBP–RNA network characterization at the systems level. Emerging evidence highlights RBP-driven control as an underappreciated feature of primitive hematopoiesis, the greater understanding of which has important clinical implications.
Dehydrated citrus pulp in broiler diets
Authors: Diaz-Vargas Mayra , Murakami Alice Eiko , Pintro Paula Toshimi Matumoto , Ospina-Rojas Ivan Camilo , de Souza Caio Henrique Pereira , Eyng Cinthia
Published: June 2018

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of citrus pulp in diet for broilers on weight of gastrointestinal organs, intestinal morphometry, and quality and lipid oxidation of broiler meat during the storage time. A total of 966 Cobb male broiler chicks were fed six increasing levels of dietary citrus pulp (0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10%) with seven replications of 23 birds each. The inclusion of citrus pulp in the diet of broilers from 1 to 21 d of age did not significantly affect organ weight and intestinal morphology (P > 0.05). However, the citrus pulp can be used up to 10% inclusion in diets for broilers from 1 to 42 d of age, without impairing broiler performance, carcass yield, intestinal morphometry, and meat quality. For lipid oxidation, samples of thigh were used in a 6 × 4 factorial design (six dietary levels of citrus pulp and four storage periods) with four replications. In the treatments with 10% citrus pulp, the phenolic compounds present in the by-product led to a delayed and reduced oxidation.
Characterization of high microwave power atmospheric pressure plasma torch
Authors: Turkyilmaz B. , Mansuroglu D. , Uzun-Kaymak I.U.
Published: June 2018

An atmospheric pressure microwave plasma torch operating at 2.45 GHz frequency using a surfaguide waveguide fed by argon gas at a constant rate is characterized at various microwave power settings. Coarse optical emission spectroscopy technique is used to diagnose the plasma parameters. The Boltzmann plot method is implemented to measure the electron temperature. Using the Doppler shift of the strong argon atomic spectral lines, the plasma velocity is determined. These results are in good agreement with earlier studies conducted on similar microwave plasma torches at a lower power setting. In this study, we exceed the previous power limitations observed in earlier studies and scan the microwave power in increments up to 2 kW.
Infrared spectroscopy estimation methods for water-dissolved carbon and amino sugars in diverse Canadian agricultural soils
Authors: Zhang Lei , Yang Xueming , Drury Craig , Chantigny Martin , Gregorich Edward , Miller Jim , Bittman Shabtai , Reynolds W. Dan , Yang Jingyi
Published: June 2018

Infrared spectroscopy has the potential to rapidly analyse soil water-dissolved carbon and amino sugars. In this study, mid-infrared (MIR) and near-infrared (NIR) spectra collected from soil water extracts or from bulk soils were analysed with partial least squares regression (PLSr) to estimate the concentrations of water-dissolved carbon and amino sugars in diverse agricultural soils collected from five field sites in two western and two eastern Canadian provinces. The MIR-PLSr models developed from soil water extract spectra estimated hot-water (100 °C) dissolved carbon (HWDC) [R2 = 0.97–0.70, ratio of prediction to deviation (RPDp) = 6.13–1.83] well, but the MIR-PLSr models did not estimate cold-water (21 °C) dissolved carbon (CWDC) well (R2 = 0.82–0.50, RPDp = 2.35–1.42). The model estimates of HWDC at the multisite scale (all samples together) and for the two western Canada sites (R2 = 0.97–0.93, RPDp = 6.13–3.68) surpass the modal estimates for the three eastern Canadian sites (R2 = 0.81–0.70, RPDp = 2.28–1.83). The MIR- and NIR-PLSr models derived from bulk soil spectra both estimated HWDC well at the multisite scale (R2 = 0.91–0.88, RPDp = 3.32–2.90) and for the western Canada sites (R2 = 0.90–0.87, RPDp = 3.18–2.96). Models developed from hot-water extract spectra and bulk soil spectra resulted in poor estimates of soil amino sugars (R2 = 0.74–0.21, RPDp = 1.99–1.12), except for the approximate quantitative estimation of muramic acid by models based on soil spectra at the western and the multisite scale (R2 = 0.82–0.80, RPDp = 2.33–2.21). We concluded that MIR and NIR models at regional and multisite scales can be used as a tool to monitor HWDC but that additional research is required for estimating soil amino sugars.
More on extracting information about the initial state from the black hole radiation
Authors: Ghaforyan Hossein , Shoorvazi Somayyeh , Sepehri Alireza , Ghaffary Tooraj
Published: June 2018

Recently, some authors showed that a classical collapse scenario ignores this richness of information in the resulting spectrum and a consistent quantum treatment of the entire collapse process might allow us to retrieve much more information from the spectrum of the final radiation. We confirm these results and show that by considering the quantum entanglement between metrics, we can uncover information of black holes. In our model, a density matrix is defined for the spaces, both inside and outside of the event horizon. These inside and outside spaces of black holes are obtained by tracing from a bigger space. An observer that lives in this big space can recover total information regarding the inside and outside of black hole.
The Higgs boson decays with the lepton flavor violation
Authors: Boyarkin O. M. , Boyarkina G. G. , Vasileuskaya D. S.
Published: June 2018

Within the left–right symmetric model (LRM), the decays [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is an analog of the Standard Model Higgs boson, are considered. The widths of this decays are found in the third-order of the perturbation theory. Since the main contribution to the decay widths is caused by the diagram with the light and heavy neutrinos in the virtual state, then investigation of this decays could shed light upon the neutrino sector structure. The obtained decay widths critically depend on the charged gauge bosons mixing angle [Formula: see text] and the heavy–light neutrinos mixing angle [Formula: see text]. The LRM predicts the values of these angles as functions of the vacuum expectation values [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Using the results of the existing experiments, on looking for the additional charged gauge boson [Formula: see text] and on measuring the electroweak [Formula: see text] parameter, gives [Formula: see text] However, even using the upper bounds on [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], one does not manage to get the upper experimental bound on the branching ratio [Formula: see text] being equal to [Formula: see text]. The theoretical expression proves to be on two orders of magnitude less than [Formula: see text].
Study of the characteristics of 976 nm Bragg grating external cavity semiconductor lasers
Authors: Yan Zhong-Hua , Zhou Shuai
Published: June 2018

976 nm fiber Bragg grating (FBG) external cavity laser is the core component in erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFA). In this paper, the theory model of FBG is modeled by transfer matrix method (TMM). The effects of Bragg grating length and modulation depth on the reflectivity, grating spectrum width and wavelength have been investigated. Then 976 nm laser modules with different grating reflectivity, i.e. 4%, 6%, 8% and 10% have been fabricated. By improving the reflectivity of FBG, the side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR) has been optimized to above 40 dB, and the threshold current decreases. The temperature cycling test indicates that the peak wavelength has a change rate [Formula: see text]0.0095 nm/[Formula: see text]C.
Study of the effect of surfactants on hydroxyl radicals in Ag–Ce–ZnO nanocomposites
Authors: Qin Yu-Shan , Shi Qi , Lv Yu-Guang , Shi Chen-Xi , Zhao Ya-Xin , Zhou Zi-Ran , Lin Peng
Published: June 2018

In this paper, Ag–Ce–ZnO nanocomposites with average particle size of about 50 nm were prepared by direct precipitation method. In order to solve the problem of agglomeration, the nanocomposites with the average particle size of about 30 nm were obtained by treating the nanocomposites with surfactant sodium polyacrylate (PAAS). The effect of surfactant PAAS on the content of hydroxyl radicals produced by nanocomposites was determined by UV spectrophotometry and fluorescence spectrophotometry, and the effect of PAAS on the dispersion effect was obtained indirectly. The experimental results showed that the addition of surfactants’ PAAS effectively reduced the average particle size of nanocomposites, increased the content of hydroxyl radicals, and made the nanocomposites have good dispersing effect.
Facile Microwave-Assisted Synthetic Approach to Palladium Nanoparticles Supported on Copper Oxide as an Efficient Catalyst for Heck and Sonogashira Cross-Coupling Reactions
Authors: Elazab Hany A. , Radwan M. A. , El-Idreesy Tamer T.
Published: June 2018

A simple green one-step method for the synthesis of highly active palladium nanoparticles embedded on copper oxide as an efficient catalyst for ligand-free Heck and Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions has been developed. The synthetic approach is based on Microwave (MW)-assisted simultaneous chemical reduction of an aqueous solution of palladium and copper salts using hydrazine hydrate as the reducing agent. Selected characterization of the catalyst with transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) reveal a size range of 25[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]2[Formula: see text]nm for the generated catalyst nanoparticles with the highest catalytic activity. The use of the generated Pd/CuO nanoparticles is highly advantageous due to the use of ethanol/water as an environmentally green solvent under mild reaction conditions. Furthermore, the synthesized Pd/CuO nanoparticles catalyst can be recycled and re-used up to five times with negligible effect on the efficiency having turnover number up to 6000 and turnover frequency reaching 72[Formula: see text]000[Formula: see text]h[Formula: see text] for 20[Formula: see text]wt.% Pd loaded catalyst at 150∘C.
Evaluation and Refinement of Clustered Search Results with the Crowd
Authors: Zhang Amy X. , Chen Jilin , Chai Wei , Xu Jinjun , Hong Lichan , CHI Ed
Published: June 2018

When searching on the web or in an app, results are often returned as lists of hundreds to thousands of items, making it difficult for users to understand or navigate the space of results. Research has demonstrated that using clustering to partition search results into coherent, topical clusters can aid in both exploration and discovery. Yet clusters generated by an algorithm for this purpose are often of poor quality and do not satisfy users. To achieve acceptable clustered search results, experts must manually evaluate and refine the clustered results for each search query, a process that does not scale to large numbers of search queries. In this article, we investigate using crowd-based human evaluation to inspect, evaluate, and improve clusters to create high-quality clustered search results at scale. We introduce a workflow that begins by using a collection of well-known clustering algorithms to produce a set of clustered search results for a given query. Then, we use crowd workers to holistically assess the quality of each clustered search result to find the best one. Finally, the workflow has the crowd spot and fix problems in the best result to produce a final output. We evaluate this workflow on 120 top search queries from the Google Play Store, some of whom have clustered search results as a result of evaluations and refinements by experts. Our evaluations demonstrate that the workflow is effective at reproducing the evaluation of expert judges and also improves clusters in a way that agrees with experts and crowds alike.
SIGACT News Complexity Theory Column 98
Authors: Hemaspaandra Lane A.
Published: June 2018

This Issue Warmest thanks to David and Josh for starting all of our summers with their fascinating column, \Beyond number of bit erasures: New complexity questions raised by recently discovered thermodynamic costs of computation." Future Issues Please stay tuned for the coming issues' articles in the Complexity Theory Column, namely, Lane A. Hemaspaandra and Holger Spakowski (tentative topic: team diagonalization), William Gasarch (not-at-all-tentative topic: the third P versus NP poll), (again!) William Gasarch (tentative topic: the muffin problem), and Emanuele Viola (topic: TBD).
Formalizing and Implementing Distributed Ledger Objects
Authors: Anta Antonio Fernández , Konwar Kishori , Georgiou Chryssis , Nicolaou Nicolas
Published: June 2018

Despite the hype about blockchains and distributed ledgers, formal abstractions of these objects are scarce1. To face this issue, in this paper we provide a proper formulation of a distributed ledger object. In brief, we de ne a ledger object as a sequence of records, and we provide the operations and the properties that such an object should support. Implemen- tation of a ledger object on top of multiple (possibly geographically dispersed) computing devices gives rise to the distributed ledger object. In contrast to the centralized object, dis- tribution allows operations to be applied concurrently on the ledger, introducing challenges on the consistency of the ledger in each participant. We provide the de nitions of three well known consistency guarantees in terms of the operations supported by the ledger object: (1) atomic consistency (linearizability), (2) sequential consistency, and (3) eventual consistency. We then provide implementations of distributed ledgers on asynchronous message passing crash- prone systems using an Atomic Broadcast service, and show that they provide eventual, sequen- tial or atomic consistency semantics respectively. We conclude with a variation of the ledger the validated ledger which requires that each record in the ledger satis es a particular validation rule.
Gem #143
Authors: Last Name First Name
Published: June 2018

It all starts from the source. All large applications organize their source code into multiple separate directories, which we generally think of as modules. The source files themselves generally follow naming conventions so that we can easily find things. For instance, the traditional extension for Ada files (in GNAT) are .adb and .ads, although other technologies use other extensions (.1.ada, for instance). A lot of tools, in particular the compiler and the IDE, need to find source files in order to perform various actions on the code. Once they have found the sources, though, they also need to know how to manipulate them. For instance, the compiler might need to compile a specific file with style checks turned off, whereas all other files need style checks enabled, to ensure style consistency.
Gem #144
Authors: An Unknown AdaCore developer
Published: June 2018

This Gem starts with a problem. As a French native, I often manipulate text files that contain accented letters (those accents, by the way, were often introduced as a shorthand to replace letters in words, to save paper when it was still an expensive commodity). Unfortunately, depending on how the file was created, my programs do not necessarily see the same byte contents (which depends on the encoding and the character set of the file), and, if I just try to display them on the screen (either in a text console, or in a graphical window), the output might not read like what I initially entered.
Gem #146
Authors: Moy Yannick
Published: June 2018

Let's get started? Ada 2012 is full of features for specifying a rich set of type properties. In this series of three Gems, we describe three aspects that can be used to state invariant properties of types and subtypes. This first Gem is concerned with the Static_Predicate aspect. Static_Predicate can be specified on scalar types and subtype definitions to state a property that all objects of the subtype must respect at all times. Take for example a type Day representing the days of the week:
Gem #149
Authors: Moy Yannick
Published: June 2018

Let's get started? In the beginning was created Ada. It did not have any assertions. Then came GNAT, which introduced pragma Assert. The ARG saw that it was good, and adopted it in Ada 2005. Then came GNAT again, which introduced pragma Precondition and pragma Postcondition. The ARG saw that they were good too, and adopted them as aspects in Ada 2012. The ARG even tried to beat GNAT at this game, and introduced at the same time aspects for type predicates (see Gems #146 and #147) and type invariants (see Gem #148), which are other forms of assertions. Then came GNAT again, introducing pragmas Assume, Assert_And_Cut, and Loop_Invariant, and aspect Contract_Cases, yet other forms of assertions.
Gem # #150
Authors: Dewar Robert
Published: June 2018

Let's get started? Perhaps surprisingly, the Ada standard indicates cases where objects passed to out and in out parameters might not be updated when a procedure terminates due to an exception. Let's take an example: