bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contact-free unconstraint respiratory measurements with load cells under the bed in awake healthy volunteers: breath-by-breath comparison with pneumotachography
Authors: Isono Shiroh , Nozaki-Taguchi Natsuko , Hasegawa Makoto , Kato Shinichiro , Todoroki Shinsuke , Masuda Shigemi , Iida Norihito , Nishimura Toshiaki , Noto Masatoshi , Sato Yasunori
Published: February 2019

Rate of respiration is a fundamental vital sign. Accuracy and precision of respiratory rate measurements with contact-free load cell sensors under the bed legs were assessed by breath-by-breath comparison with the pneumotachography technique during two different dynamic breathing tasks in 16 awake human adults resting on the bed. The subject voluntarily increased and decreased the respiratory rate between 4 and 16 breaths/min ( n = 8) and 10 and 40 breaths/min ( n = 8) at every 2 breaths in 6 different lying postures such as supine, left lateral, right lateral, and 30, 45, and 60° sitting postures. Reciprocal phase changes of the upper and lower load cell signals accorded with the respiratory phases indicating respiratory-related shifts of the centroid along the long axis of the bed. Bland-Altman analyses revealed 0.66 and 1.59 breaths/min standard deviation differences between the techniques (limits of agreement: −1.22 to 1.36 and −2.96 to 3.30) and 0.07 and 0.17 breaths/min fixed bias differences (accuracy) (confidence interval: 0.04 to 0.10 and 0.12 to 0.22) for the mean respiratory rates of 10.5 ± 3.7 and 24.6 ± 8.9 breaths/min, respectively, regardless of the body postures on the bed. Proportional underestimation by this technique was evident for respiratory rates >40 breaths/min. Sample breath increase up to 10 breaths improved the precision from 1.59 to 0.26 breaths/min. Abnormally faster and slower respirations were accurately detected. We conclude that contact-free unconstraint respiratory rate measurements with load cells under the bed legs are accurate and may serve as a new clinical and investigational tool.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Four load cells placed under the bed legs successfully captured a centroid shift during respiration in human subjects lying on a bed. Breath-by-breath comparison of the breaths covering a wide respiratory rate range by pneumotachography confirmed reliability of the contact-free unconstraint respiratory rate measurements by small standard deviations and biases regardless of body postures. Abnormally faster and slower respirations were accurately detected. This technique should be an asset as a new clinical and investigational tool.
Running ground reaction forces across footwear conditions are predicted from the motion of two body mass components
Authors: Udofa Andrew B. , Clark Kenneth P. , Ryan Laurence J. , Weyand Peter G.
Published: February 2019

Although running shoes alter foot-ground reaction forces, particularly during impact, how they do so is incompletely understood. Here, we hypothesized that footwear effects on running ground reaction force-time patterns can be accurately predicted from the motion of two components of the body’s mass (mb): the contacting lower-limb (m1 = 0.08mb) and the remainder (m2 = 0.92mb). Simultaneous motion and vertical ground reaction force-time data were acquired at 1,000 Hz from eight uninstructed subjects running on a force-instrumented treadmill at 4.0 and 7.0 m/s under four footwear conditions: barefoot, minimal sole, thin sole, and thick sole. Vertical ground reaction force-time patterns were generated from the two-mass model using body mass and footfall-specific measures of contact time, aerial time, and lower-limb impact deceleration. Model force-time patterns generated using the empirical inputs acquired for each footfall matched the measured patterns closely across the four footwear conditions at both protocol speeds ( r2 = 0.96 ± 0.004; root mean squared error  = 0.17 ± 0.01 body-weight units; n = 275 total footfalls). Foot landing angles (θF) were inversely related to footwear thickness; more positive or plantar-flexed landing angles coincided with longer-impact durations and force-time patterns lacking distinct rising-edge force peaks. Our results support three conclusions: 1) running ground reaction force-time patterns across footwear conditions can be accurately predicted using our two-mass, two-impulse model, 2) impact forces, regardless of foot strike mechanics, can be accurately quantified from lower-limb motion and a fixed anatomical mass (0.08mb), and 3) runners maintain similar loading rates (ΔFvertical/Δtime) across footwear conditions by altering foot strike angle to regulate the duration of impact.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Here, we validate a two-mass, two-impulse model of running vertical ground reaction forces across four footwear thickness conditions (barefoot, minimal, thin, thick). Our model allows the impact portion of the impulse to be extracted from measured total ground reaction force-time patterns using motion data from the ankle. The gait adjustments observed across footwear conditions revealed that runners maintained similar loading rates across footwear conditions by altering foot strike angles to regulate the duration of impact.
An Exceptional Case of Liver-Restricted High-Grade B-Cell Lymphoma in a Patient with Clinical History of HBV and HCV Coinfections
Authors: Zuraski Connor R. , Patil Vinit , Schwetye Katherine E.
Published: February 2019

Primary hepatic lymphomas (PHLs) are exceedingly rare. Many reported cases are associated with various viral serologies, and some viruses may be implicated in lymphomagenesis through emerging, though as-of-yet uncertain, mechanisms. A review of the literature reveals previously reported cases of PHL, some of which support the potential roles of the hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV) in the development of PHL. We describe an exceptional case of primary hepatic high-grade B-cell lymphoma, discovered at autopsy, in a patient whose clinical history is significant for coinfection with both HBV and HCV. Additionally, attempts at cytogenetic testing of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) autopsy tissues, which we performed approximately ten years after the original autopsy, led us to question the utility of older tissue blocks in molecular and some immunohistochemical assays.
105 Inappropriate ICD Shocks in a Patient with Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Broca’s Aphasia
Authors: Georgi Christian , Neuß Michael , Möller Viviane , Seifert Martin , Butter Christian
Published: February 2019

With a growing number of ICD recipients, device complications are seen more frequently in the clinical setting and outpatient departments. Among the most severe are ICD infections and inappropriate therapies caused by oversensing of atrial tachycardias or lead fracture. We report on a 76-year-old female patient with dilative cardiomyopathy and Broca’s aphasia after stroke, who experienced 105 consecutive inappropriate ICD shocks due to cluster missensing of her fractured ICD lead. The diagnosis was complicated and delayed by patient’s aphasia emphasizing the need for intensified remote monitoring along with regular in-person visits, especially in people with intellectual or communication disabilities.
TNF-TNFR2 Signaling Inhibits Th2 and Th17 Polarization and Alleviates Allergic Airway Inflammation
Authors: Peng Juan , Li Xiao-Ming , Zhang Guo-Rui , Cheng Yi , Chen Xi , Gu Wen , Guo Xue-Jun
Published: February 2019

Background: TNF-TNFR2 signaling has been indicated to be involved in CD4+ T lymphocyte differentiation. However, its role in allergic airway inflammation is not well understood. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of TNF-TNFR2 signaling in allergic airway inflammation. Methods and Results: In this study, we used an allergen-induced asthma model to show that TNF-TNFR2 signaling alleviated allergic airway inflammation by reducing the airway infiltration of eosinophils and neutrophils. Activated TNF-TNFR2 signaling decreased the expression of Th2 and Th17 cytokines in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Furthermore, TNF-TNFR2 signaling inhibited Th2 and Th17 polarization but promoted Th1 and CD4+CD25+ T cell differentiation in vivo. Conclusions: Our study indicates that TNF-TNFR2 signaling alleviates allergic airway inflammation through inhibition of Th2 and Th17 cell differentiation.
Association of Hand-Foot Skin Reaction with Regorafenib Efficacy in the Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Kobayashi Kazuo , Kawakami Kazuyoshi , Yokokawa Takashi , Aoyama Takeshi , Suzuki Kenichi , Wakatsuki Takeru , Suenaga Mitsukuni , Sato Hitoshi , Sugiyama Erika , Yamaguchi Kensei , Hama Toshihiro
Published: February 2019

Purpose: Hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR) can deteriorate quality of life in patients receiving regorafenib. Cutaneous toxicity is a main adverse effect of multikinase inhibitors and has also been associated with clinical outcome. This study assessed the association between the antitumor efficacy of regorafenib and HFSR in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Methods: Patients who received regorafenib at 160 mg/day during the first 3 weeks of each 4-week cycle were divided into subgroups based on whether they developed HFSR between May 2013 and October 2015. Estimates of overall survival and progression-free survival were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Ninety-seven patients received at least one dose of regorafenib in this retrospective study. Of these patients, 81.4% (n = 79) experienced HFSR of any grade, and 34.0% (n = 33) had grade 3 HFSR. Among those patients with HFSR at any time during the study, 68.0% (n = 66) underwent the first HFSR event (any grade) during cycle 1. Both overall survival and progression-free survival were improved in patients who had HFSR grade ≥2 at any time compared with those who had HFSR grade ≤1. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a history of HFSR grade ≥2 induced by capecitabine as a significant risk factor for severe HFSR (grade ≥2). Conclusions: Patients with mCRC treated using regorafenib who experienced severe HFSR showed better overall survival than patients without severe HFSR. Severe HFSR may offer an early surrogate marker for the efficacy of regorafenib in patients with mCRC.
Duration of Observation for Detecting a Biphasic Reaction in Anaphylaxis: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kim Tae-Hyung , Yoon Soon Ho , Hong Hyunsook , Kang Hye-Ryun , Cho Sang-Heon , Lee Suh-Young
Published: February 2019

Background: We conducted a meta-analysis to determine a practical observation time for detecting a biphasic reaction after resolution of the initial anaphylactic reaction. Methods: A systematic literature search identified studies on adult patients with anaphylaxis and a subsequent biphasic reaction due to various causes that contained sufficient data to extract outcomes. The outcomes were pooled using a random-effects model. Results: Twelve studies with a total of 2,890 adult patients with anaphylaxis and 143 patients with a biphasic reaction were included. In terms of the pooled negative predictive value, 1 h of observation achieved a 95.0% negative predictive value and ≥6 h of observation provided a 97.3% negative predictive value (95% CI: 95.0–98.5). The negative predictive value for a biphasic reaction increased with a longer observation time after initial anaphylaxis, and the increasing trend slowed down from 6 h of observation time. The pooled additional incidence rates of biphasic reactions per 100 person-hours after 1- and 4-h observations were 0.45 (95% CI: 0.20–1.04) and 0.41 (95% CI: 0.19–0.87), respectively. After > 8–12 h of postanaphylactic observation, the negative predictive value reached > 98%, while the additional incidence per 100 person-hours was < 0.10. Conclusions: An observation time of ≥6 h after resolution of an initial anaphylaxis symptom can exclude recurrence of a secondary reaction in > 95% of patients. Although longer observation periods resulted in the detection of more biphasic reactions, 6–12 h of observation time would be practical, supporting current relevant guidelines.
Successful Resection of Solitary Abdominal Wall Metastasis of Sarcomatous Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Ono Kosuke , Hamaoka Michinori , Egi Hiroyuki , Kobayashi Tsuyoshi , Tahara Hiroyuki , Kuroda Shintaro , Shimizu Seiichi , Mukai Shoichiro , Kochi Masatoshi , Shiroma Noriyuki , Arihiro Koji , Ohdan Hideki
Published: February 2019

Sarcomatous intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a rare histological variant of ICC that is composed of both adenocarcinoma (ICC component) and sarcomatous components. Surgery is believed to be the primary treatment, and some reports describe primary resection. However, due to the aggressive malignancy of sarcomatous ICC, there is no report regarding resection of a metastatic lesion. In this report, we present the case of a 75-year-old woman admitted to our hospital with the chief complaint of weight loss. Various imaging techniques demonstrated a single mass in the liver and cecum. A cecal gastrointestinal stromal tumor accompanied by liver metastasis was suspected, and ileocecal resection was performed for diagnostic purposes. However, the tumor was present in the abdominal wall rather than in the cecum. The tumor was resected and diagnosed as undifferentiated sarcoma. We suspected the liver tumor was a series of lesions, so we performed hepatectomy. As the tumor was composed of both adenocarcinoma and sarcomatous components, it was diagnosed as sarcomatous ICC. The histological findings of the abdominal wall tumor were similar to those of sarcomatous ICC, so we diagnosed the abdominal wall tumor as a solitary metastasis of sarcomatous ICC. In this case, solitary metastasis was observed, and we were able to resect both the primary and metastatic lesions. This case illustrates that when solitary metastasis can be seen in sarcomatous ICC, radical resection is possible.
Impact of Baseline Features and Risk Factor Control on Cognitive Function in the Stenting and Aggressive Medical Management for Preventing Recurrent Stroke in Intracranial Stenosis Trial
Authors: Turan Tanya N. , Al Kasab Sami , Smock Alison , Cotsonis George , Bachman David , Lynn Michael J. , Nizam Azhar , Derdeyn Colin P. , Fiorella David , Janis Scott , Lane Bethany , Montgomery Jean , Chimowitz Marc I. ,   MBChB for the SAMMPRIS Investigators
Published: February 2019

Background: Cerebrovascular disease is an important cause of cognitive impairment. The aim of this study is to report the relationship between cognitive function and risk factors at baseline and during follow-up in the Stenting and Aggressive Medical Management for Preventing Recurrent stroke in Intracranial Stenosis (SAMMPRIS) trial. Methods: Subjects in the SAMMPRIS trial were included in this study. In order to have an assessment of cognitive function independent of stroke, patients with a stroke as a qualifying event whose deficits included aphasia or neglect were excluded from these analyses as were those with a cerebrovascular event during follow-up. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score was used to assess cognitive impairment at baseline, 4 months, 12 months and closeout. Cognitive impairment was defined as MoCA < 26. A multivariate analysis was performed to determine what risk factors were independent predictors of cognitive function at baseline, 12 months and closeout. Among patients randomized to aggressive medical management only, the percentage of patients with cognitive impairment was compared between patients in versus out of target for each risk factor at 12 months and closeout. Results: Of the 451 patients in SAMMPRIS, 371 patients met the inclusion criteria. MoCA < 26 was present in 55% at baseline. Older age and physical inactivity were associated with cognitive impairment at baseline. Older age, non-white race, lower baseline body mass index, and baseline cognitive impairment were associated with cognitive impairment at 12 months. In the aggressive medical management group, at 12 months, physical inactivity during follow-up was the strongest risk factor associated with cognitive impairment. Conclusion: Cognitive impairment is common in patients with severe symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis. Physical inactivity at baseline and during follow-up is a strong predictor of cognitive impairment.
Evaluation of Next-Generation Sequencing for the Diagnosis of Infections of the Central Nervous System Caused by the Neurotropic Herpes Viruses: A Pilot Study
Authors: Xing Xiao-Wei , Zhang Jia-Tang , Ma Yu-Bao , Chen Xiao-Yan , Wu Lei , Wang Xiao-Lin , Wang Hong-Fen , Wang Rong-Fei , Yang Fei , Yu Sheng-Yuan
Published: February 2019

Background: There are sparse and limited studies on small sample size reporting the application of next-generation sequencing (NGS) in the detection of central nervous system (CNS) viral infections. We assessed the diagnostic performance of NGS of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for predicting viral infections of the CNS caused by the neurotropic herpes viruses in a pilot population. Materials and Methods: We prospectively collected CSF samples from 24 patients with CNS viral infection from April 2017 to October 2018. Of the 24 patients, 19 patients were infected with herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), 1 patient with HSV-2, and 4 patients with varicella-zoster virus (VZV). All CSF samples were screened for viral DNA using NGS technologies to detect viral CNS infections. Results: Of the 24 patients with confirmed viral CNS infection caused by the neurotropic herpes viruses, 10 (10/24, 41.67%) patients exhibited positive NGS results. With the help of NGS, HSV-1 DNA was detected in the CSF of 6 patients (6/19; 31.58%). HSV-2 DNA was detected in 1 patient (1/1; 100%) and VZV DNA was detected in 3 patients (3/4; 75%). The positive rate of virus detected by NGS decreased with time. The positive rates of NGS of CSF in the first, second, and third weeks were 54.5% (6/11), 44.4% (4/9), and 0% (0/4), respectively. Conclusions: NGS method is a promising pathogen detection tool for identifying viral CNS infections. It should be recommended to sequence viral DNA of CSF in the early stage of CNS viral infections.
Whipple’s Disease: A Case Report
Authors: Kutlu Orkide  , Erhan Selma Şengiz , Gökden Yasemin , Kandemir Özlem , Tükek Tufan
Published: February 2019

Objective: Whipple’s disease is a very rare systemic infectious disease with an annual incidence of 3 in one million, which may be fatal if not diagnosed and treated appropriately. Clinical Presentation and Intervention: Herein we describe a 49-year-old patient admitted to the hospital with symptoms of severe malabsorption and diagnosed with Whipple’s disease. The diagnosis was based on the histopathological findings of small intestine biopsies and PCR analysis. Conclusion: Whipple’s disease should be kept in mind while dealing with patients with severe malabsorption, even in the absence of accompanying features of the disease.
Epigenetic Mechanisms in Monocytes/Macrophages Regulate Inflammation in Cardiometabolic and Vascular Disease
Authors: Davis Frank M. , Gallagher Katherine A.
Published: February 2019

Cardiometabolic and vascular disease, with their associated secondary complications, are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Western society. Chronic inflammation is a common theme that underlies initiation and progression of cardiovascular disease. In this regard, monocytes/macrophages are key players in the development of a chronic inflammatory state. Over the past decade, epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation and posttranslational histone processing, have emerged as important regulators of immune cell phenotypes. Accumulating studies reveal the importance of epigenetic enzymes in the dynamic regulation of key signaling pathways that alter monocyte/macrophage phenotypes in response to environmental stimuli. In this review, we highlight the current paradigms of monocyte/macrophage polarization and the emerging role of epigenetic modification in the regulation of monocyte/macrophage phenotype in obesity, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, and abdominal aortic aneurysms.
The Evolving Role of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory in the Management of Patients With Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Authors: Yannopoulos Demetris , Bartos Jason A. , Aufderheide Tom P. , Callaway Clifton W. , Deo Rajat , Garcia Santiago , Halperin Henry R. , Kern Karl B. , Kudenchuk Peter J. , Neumar Robert W. , Raveendran Ganesh ,   On behalf of the American Heart Association Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee
Published: February 2019

Coronary artery disease is prevalent in different causes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), especially in individuals presenting with shockable rhythms of ventricular fibrillation/pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VF/pVT). The purpose of this report is to review the known prevalence and potential importance of coronary artery disease in patients with OHCA and to describe the emerging paradigm of treatment with advanced perfusion/reperfusion techniques and their potential benefits on the basis of available evidence. Although randomized clinical trials are planned or ongoing, current scientific evidence rests principally on observational case series with their potential confounding selection bias. Among patients resuscitated from VF/pVT OHCA with ST-segment elevation on their postresuscitation ECG, the prevalence of coronary artery disease has been shown to be 70% to 85%. More than 90% of these patients have had successful percutaneous coronary intervention. Conversely, among patients resuscitated from VF/pVT OHCA without ST-segment elevation on their postresuscitation ECG, the prevalence of coronary artery disease has been shown to be 25% to 50%. For these patients, early access to the cardiac catheterization laboratory is associated with a 10% to 15% absolute higher functionally favorable survival rate compared with more conservative approaches of late or no access to the cardiac catheterization laboratory. In patients with VF/pVT OHCA refractory to standard treatment, a new treatment paradigm is also emerging that uses venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation to facilitate return of normal perfusion and to support further resuscitation efforts, including coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention. The burden of coronary artery disease is high in this patient population, presumably causative in most patients. The strategy of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, coronary angiography, and percutaneous coronary intervention has resulted in functionally favorable survival rates ranging from 9% to 45% in observational studies in this patient population. Patients with VF/pVT should be considered at the highest severity in the continuum of acute coronary syndromes. These patients have a significant burden of coronary artery disease and acute coronary thrombotic events. Evidence from randomized trials will further define optimal clinical practice.
Preoperative NT‐proBNP Predicts Midterm Outcome After Septal Myectomy
Authors: Song Changpeng , Wang Shengwei , Guo Ying , Zheng Xinxin , Lu Jie , Fang Xiaonan , Wang Shuiyun , Huang Xiaohong
Published: February 2019

Background

The prognostic value of N‐terminal pro–brain natriuretic peptide (
NT
‐pro
BNP
) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who underwent septal myectomy has not been well studied.

Methods and Results

We retrospectively evaluated
NT
‐pro
BNP
levels in 758 patients (46.1±13.8 years; median follow‐up, 936 days) who underwent septal myectomy in our center between March 2011 and April 2018. The median
NT
‐pro
BNP
level was 1450.5 (interquartile range 682.6‐2649.5) pg/mL. Overall, 22 (2.9%) patients died during follow‐up; of these, 86.4% were cardiovascular deaths. The 3‐year survival free from all‐cause mortality by tertile was 95.2% (95%
CI
91.1% to 97.4%;
NT
‐pro
BNP
>2080 pg/mL), 98.3% (95%
CI
94.6% to 99.5%;
NT
‐pro
BNP
, 947‐2080 pg/mL), and 99.2% (95%
CI
, 94.4% to 99.9%;
NT
‐pro
BNP
<947 pg/mL). The 3‐year survival rate free from cardiovascular mortality by tertiles was 95.2% in the highest tertile, 98.8% in the middle tertile, and 99.2% in the lowest tertile. Cox regression analysis indicated that Ln(
NT
‐pro
BNP
) was a significantly independent predictor of all‐cause mortality (hazard ratio 2.380, 95%
CI
1.356‐4.178,
P
=0.003) and cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio 2.788, 95%
CI
1.450‐5.362,
P
=0.002). In addition, concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting for coronary artery disease was also an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio 5.178, 95%
CI
1.597‐16.789,
P
=0.006).

Conclusions

Increased preoperative
NT
‐pro
BNP
level is a strong predictor of midterm mortality in patients undergoing septal myectomy.
Artificially Sweetened Beverages and Stroke, Coronary Heart Disease, and All-Cause Mortality in the Women’s Health Initiative
Authors: Mossavar-Rahmani Yasmin , Kamensky Victor , Manson JoAnn E. , Silver Brian , Rapp Stephen R. , Haring Bernhard , Beresford Shirley A.A. , Snetselaar Linda , Wassertheil-Smoller Sylvia
Published: February 2019

Background and Purpose—

We examine the association between self-reported consumption of artificially sweetened beverages (ASB) and stroke and its subtypes, coronary heart disease, and all-cause mortality in a cohort of postmenopausal US women.

Methods—

The analytic cohort included 81 714 women from the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study, a multicenter longitudinal study of the health of 93 676 postmenopausal women of ages 50 to 79 years at baseline who enrolled in 1993 to 1998. This prospective study had a mean follow-up time of 11.9 years (SD of 5.3 years.) Participants who completed a follow-up visit 3 years after baseline were included in the study.

Results—

Most participants (64.1%) were infrequent consumers (never or <1/week) of ASB, with only 5.1% consuming ≥2 ASBs/day. In multivariate analyses, those consuming the highest level of ASB compared to never or rarely (<1/wk) had significantly greater likelihood of all end points (except hemorrhagic stroke), after controlling for multiple covariates. Adjusted models indicated that hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were 1.23 (1.02–1.47) for all stroke; 1.31 (1.06–1.63) for ischemic stroke; 1.29 (1.11–1.51) for coronary heart disease; and 1.16 (1.07–1.26) for all-cause mortality. In women with no prior history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus, high consumption of ASB was associated with more than a 2-fold increased risk of small artery occlusion ischemic stroke hazard ratio =2.44 (95% confidence interval, 1.47–4.04.) High consumption of ASBs was associated with significantly increased risk of ischemic stroke in women with body mass index ≥30; hazard ratio =2.03 (95% confidence interval, 1.38–2.98).

Conclusions—

Higher intake of ASB was associated with increased risk of stroke, particularly small artery occlusion subtype, coronary heart disease, and all-cause mortality. Although requiring replication, these new findings add to the potentially harmful association of consuming high quantities of ASB with these health outcomes.
The Effect of Irrelevant Environmental Noise on the Performance of Visual-to-Auditory Sensory Substitution Devices Used by Blind Adults
Authors: Buchs Galit , Heimler Benedetta , Amedi Amir
Published: February 2019

Visual-to-auditory Sensory Substitution Devices (SSDs) are a family of non-invasive devices for visual rehabilitation aiming at conveying whole-scene visual information through the intact auditory modality. Although proven effective in lab environments, the use of SSDs has yet to be systematically tested in real-life situations. To start filling this gap, in the present work we tested the ability of expert SSD users to filter out irrelevant background noise while focusing on the relevant audio information. Specifically, nine blind expert users of the EyeMusic visual-to-auditory SSD performed a series of identification tasks via SSDs (i.e., shape, color, and conjunction of the two features). Their performance was compared in two separate conditions: silent baseline, and with irrelevant background sounds from real-life situations, using the same stimuli in a pseudo-random balanced design. Although the participants described the background noise as disturbing, no significant performance differences emerged between the two conditions (i.e., noisy; silent) for any of the tasks. In the conjunction task (shape and color) we found a non-significant trend for a disturbing effect of the background noise on performance. These findings suggest that visual-to-auditory SSDs can indeed be successfully used in noisy environments and that users can still focus on relevant auditory information while inhibiting irrelevant sounds. Our findings take a step towards the actual use of SSDs in real-life situations while potentially impacting rehabilitation of sensory deprived individuals.
Shared or Distinct Attentional Resources? Confounds in Dual Task Designs, Countermeasures, and Guidelines
Authors: Wahn Basil , Sinnett Scott
Published: February 2019

Human information processing is limited by attentional resources. That is, via attentional mechanisms humans select information that is relevant for their goals, and discard other information. While limitations of attentional processing have been investigated extensively in each sensory modality, there is debate as to whether sensory modalities access shared resources, or if instead distinct resources are dedicated to individual sensory modalities. Research addressing this question has used dual task designs, with two tasks performed either in a single sensory modality or in two separate modalities. The rationale is that, if two tasks performed in separate sensory modalities interfere less or not at all compared to two tasks performed in the same sensory modality, then attentional resources are distinct across the sensory modalities. If task interference is equal regardless of whether tasks are performed in separate sensory modalities or the same sensory modality, then attentional resources are shared across the sensory modalities. Due to their complexity, dual task designs face many methodological difficulties. In the present review, we discuss potential confounds and countermeasures. In particular, we discuss 1) compound interference measures to circumvent problems with participants dividing attention unequally across tasks, 2) staircase procedures to match difficulty levels of tasks and counteracting problems with interpreting results, 3) choosing tasks that continuously engage participants to minimize issues arising from task switching, and 4) reducing motor demands to avoid sources of task interference, which are independent of the involved sensory modalities.
Polypodium s.s. (Polypodiaceae) in Brazil
Authors: SALINO ALEXANDRE , MOURA INGRIDY OLIVEIRA , SANÍN DAVID
Published: February 2019

Polypodium s.s. is currently a fern genus with about 40 species, and still with a controversial circumscription. The Flora of Brazil online reports just one Polypodium species in Brazil. Here we confirm the occurrence of a second species of the genus in Brazil, and present a taxonomic treatment of Polypodium from this country; this includes descriptions, an identification key, diagnostic illustrations, and comments on the species. The genus is represented in Brazil by two species: Polypodium flagellare and P. kunzeanum. In addition, a lectotypification is proposed.
Notes on the genus Paraxizicus Gorochov & Kang, 2007 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Meconematinae) from China
Authors: SHI FU-MING , BIAN XUN , CHANG YAN-LIN
Published: February 2019

The Chinese species of the genus Paraxizicus Gorochov & Kang are reviewed and a key is presented. Two new species are described: Paraxizicus trilobus sp. nov. and Paraxizicus singulus sp. nov.. One known species Xiphidiopsis forcipa Shi & Chen, 2002 is transferred to Paraxizicus. The type specimens are kept in the Museum of Hebei University.
Phylogenetic relationships of Elateridae inferred from adult morphology, with special reference to the position of Cardiophorinae
Authors: DOUGLAS HUME
Published: February 2019

A phylogeny is presented for the Elateridae, inferred from parsimony and Bayesian analyses of 175 adult morphological characters. Analyses using non gap-weighted morphological data yielded results compatible with each other and some published classifications, while gap-weighted parsimony analysis did not. Bayesian posterior probabilities for the monophyly of the Elateridae and the elaterid subfamilies Athoinae (sensu Dolin 1975), Cardiophorinae (including Exoeolus Broun), Denticollinae (sensu Stibick 1979a), Elaterinae (sensu Stibick 1979a), Hypnoidinae (sensu Stibick 1976) and Lissominae (sensu Calder et al. 1993) were less than 0.05. The bioluminescent genus Pyrophorus was found to be an apical member of the mostly non-bioluminescent Agrypninae, supporting the hypothesis of at least one independent origin of bioluminescence in the Elateridae. The closest relatives to the Cardiophorinae minus Exoeolus were found in the Negastriinae. The subfamilies Cardiophorinae + Negastriinae + Tropihypnus Reitter together rendered the Hypnoidinae (or the tribe Hypnoidini of Denticollinae) paraphyletic. Lesnelater madagascariensis Fleutiaux (the type species of Lesnelater Fleutiaux) is synonymised under the type species of Pachyelater Lesne: P. madagascariensis (Lesne) so that Lesnelater is a new synonym of Pachyelater. The genus Exoeolus Broun is transferred from the Cardiophorinae to the Hemiopinae; the fossil genus Crioraphes Iablokoff-Khnzorian is transferred to the Elaterinae incertae sedis; the fossil genera Pseudocardiophorites Dolin, and Protocardiophorus Dolin are transferred to Elateroidea incertae sedis. Dolin’s (1976) hypothesis of a Jurassic origin of the Cardiophorinae was not supported by fossil evidence.
The hydroid and early medusa stages of the deep sea jellyfish Earleria purpurea (Hydrozoa: Mitrocomidae) from the Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon, USA
Authors: WIDMER CHAD L.
Published: February 2019

The hydroid and early medusa stages of the deep sea hydrozoan jellyfish Earleria purpurea (Hydrozoa: Mitrocomidae) are described. Mature medusae were collected from the Monterey Bay submarine canyon near Monterey, California, USA utilizing a remotely operated vehicle and returned to the laboratory for culturing. In vitro fertilized eggs developed into free-swimming planulae larvae that settled and metamorphosed into benthic hydroid colonies consisting of feeding hydranths and medusa producing gonangia. Newly released medusae were grown to maturity and placed on educational display at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The hydranths and gonangia were compared and found to be distinct from those of E. corachloeae the only other member of the Genus Earleria with a described life cycle.
Evaluating the generic definition of Lithopolia Yoshimoto, 1993 with a description of one new species of Taiwan (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Noctuinae, Orthosiini)
Authors: WU SHIPHER , YEN SHEN-HORN
Published: February 2019

The present study evaluates the relationships among the Orthosiini genus Lithopolia Yoshimoto, 1993 and its related genera in Egira Duponchel, 1845 group. We propose the absence of signum on corpus bursae can be regarded as the synapomorphic character of Lithopolia. Based on this character, we transfer Egira phahompoki Hreblay & Ronkay, 1999 of N. Thailand (type locality) and W. China (new record) to Lithopolia (comb. nov.) and describe a closely related new species, L. tadaokanoi sp. nov., from Taiwan. The inner relationship of Lithopolia is also discussed.
A new species of the greeneye genus Chlorophthalmus (Teleostei: Chlorophthalmidae) from the central North Pacific
Authors: FUJIWARA KYOJI , WADA HIDETOSHI , MOTOMURA HIROYUKI
Published: February 2019

Chlorophthalmus imperator sp. nov. (Teleostei: Chlorophthalmidae) is described on the basis of nine specimens (98.1–174.8 mm SL) from the Emperor Seamount Chain in the central North Pacific. The new species is characterized by the following combination of characters: 49–51 lateral-line scales; 6 scale rows above lateral line; 3 + 19–22 = 22–25 (modally 22) gill rakers; outermost tooth patches of lower jaw with 6–14 large thorn-shaped teeth, the tips projecting in advance of lower-jaw profile; lower-jaw symphysis with two distinct moderately-sized projections; tongue without teeth; pelvic-fin origin vertically below 4th or 5th (usually 5th) dorsal-fin ray base; head length 26.7–28.9 (mean 27.7) % SL; snout length 6.9–7.7 (7.3) % SL; horizontal orbit diameter 11.9–12.9 (12.3) % SL; upper-jaw length 11.7–13.2 (12.6) % SL; maxillary depth 3.1–3.8 (3.4) % SL; pre-dorsal-fin length 34.2–36.6 (35.3) % SL; pre-pectoral-fin length 27.3–29.8 (27.9) % SL; anus to anal-fin origin length 27.3–29.9 (28.5) % SL; pectoral-fin length 21.0–24.9 (22.7) % SL.
A new species of Hemigrammus Gill 1858 (Characiformes: Characidae) from the upper Rio Negro, Amazon basin, Brazil
Authors: REIA LAIS , BENINE RICARDO C.
Published: February 2019

A new species of Hemigrammus is described from the upper Rio Negro, Amazon basin, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from all congeners by its unique color pattern consisting of a single humeral blotch clearly spaced from a conspicuous midlateral dark stripe, which extends from fifth or sixth anteriormost vertical scale row to the basis of the middle caudal-fin rays. Comments on its putative relationships are provided.
Improving Hurricane Analyses and Predictions with TCI, IFEX Field Campaign Observations, and CIMSS AMVs Using the Advanced Hybrid Data Assimilation System for HWRF. Part I: What is Missing to Capture the Rapid Intensification of Hurricane Patricia (2015) when HWRF is already Initialized with a More Realistic Analysis?
Authors: Lu Xu , Wang Xuguang
Published: February 2019

Assimilating inner-core observations collected from recent field campaign programs such as Tropical Cyclone Intensity (TCI) and Intensity Forecasting Experiment (IFEX) together with the enhanced atmospheric motion vectors (AMVs) produce realistic three-dimensional (3D) analyses using the newly developed GSI-based, continuously cycled, dual-resolution hybrid ensemble–variational data assimilation (DA) system for the Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting (HWRF) Model for Hurricane Patricia (2015). However, more persistent surface wind maximum spindown is found in the intensity forecast initialized from the realistic analyses produced by the DA system but not from the unrealistic initial conditions produced through vortex modification. Diagnostics in this study reveal that the spindown issue is likely attributed to the deficient HWRF Model physics that are unable to maintain the realistic 3D structures from the DA analysis. The horizontal diffusion is too strong to maintain the realistically observed vertical oscillation of radial wind near the eyewall region. The vertical diffusion profile cannot produce a sufficiently strong secondary circulation connecting the realistically elevated upper-level outflow produced in the DA analysis. Further investigations with different model physics parameterizations demonstrate that spindown can be alleviated by modifying model physics parameterizations. In particular, a modified turbulent mixing parameterization scheme together with a reduced horizontal diffusion is found to significantly alleviate the spindown issue and to improve the intensity forecast. Additional experiments show that the peak-simulated intensity and rapid intensification rate can be further improved by increasing the model resolution. But the model resolution is not as important as model physics in the spindown alleviation.
Association of functioning and quality of life with objective and subjective measures of sleep and biological rhythms in major depressive and bipolar disorder
Authors: Slyepchenko Anastasiya , Allega Olivia R , Leng Xiamin , Minuzzi Luciano , Eltayebani Maha M , Skelly Matthew , Sassi Roberto B , Soares Claudio N , Kennedy Sidney H , Frey Benicio N
Published: February 2019

Objective:

Disruptions in biological rhythms and sleep are a core aspect of mood disorders, with sleep and rhythm changes frequently occurring prior to and during mood episodes. Wrist-worn actigraphs are increasingly utilized to measure ambulatory activity rhythm and sleep patterns.

Methods:

A comprehensive study using subjective and objective measures of sleep and biological rhythms was conducted in 111 participants (40 healthy volunteers [HC], 38 with major depressive disorder [MDD] and 33 with bipolar disorder [BD]). Participants completed 15-day actigraphy and first-morning urine samples to measure 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels. Sleep and biological rhythm questionnaires were administered: Biological Rhythms Interview of Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (BRIAN), Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Actigraph data were analyzed for sleep and daily activity rhythms, light exposure and likelihood of transitioning between rest and activity states.

Results:

Mood groups had worse subjective sleep quality (PSQI) and biological rhythm disruption (BRIAN) and higher objective mean nighttime activity than controls. Participants with BD had longer total sleep time, higher circadian quotient and lower 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels than HC group. The MDD group had longer sleep onset latency and higher daytime probability of transitioning from rest to activity than HCs. Mood groups displayed later mean timing of light exposure. Multiple linear regression analysis with BRIAN scores, circadian quotient, mean nighttime activity during rest and daytime probability of transitioning from activity to rest explained 43% of variance in quality-of-life scores. BRIAN scores, total sleep time and probability of transitioning from activity to rest explained 52% of variance in functioning (all p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

Disruption in biological rhythms is associated with poorer functioning and quality of life in bipolar and MDD. Investigating biological rhythms and sleep using actigraphy variables, urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin and subjective measures provide evidence of widespread sleep and circadian system disruptions in mood disorders.
Vicious and Virtuous Circles of Aspirational Talk: From Self-Persuasive to Agonistic CSR Rhetoric
Authors: Winkler Peter , Etter Michael , Castelló Itziar
Published: February 2019

Scholars are divided over the question of whether managerial aspirational talk that contradicts current business practices can contribute to corporate social responsibility (CSR). In this conceptual article, we explore the rhetorical dynamics of aspirational talk that either impede or foster CSR. We argue that self-persuasive CSR rhetoric, as one enactment of aspirational talk, can attract attention and scrutiny from organizational members. Continued adherence to this rhetoric, however, creates and perpetuates tensions that lead to a vicious circle of disengagement. A virtuous circle, by contrast, requires a shift toward an agonistic rhetoric that transcends tensions by rearticulating aspirations in concurrence with situated understandings of responsible corporate practice. Our arguments contribute to a better understanding of how communication becomes constitutive of CSR and address the debate on decoupling between talk and action.
International Trade and Health Care in Brazil: An Unpredicted Tale Threatening Health Care Entitlement?
Authors: Santos Milton , Filippon Jonathan , Mendes Áquilas , Kondilis Elias
Published: February 2019

The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), established in 1994, has been a key element of market liberalization of health care services. Brazil had the provision of health care services partially protected from international competition until 2015, when a constitutional change opened the national health care market to international provision. We performed a retrospective and prospective policy analysis based on a systematic policy document review, general literature review, and secondary data analysis mapping, describing and analyzing the international trade agreements signed by Brazil with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the available legislation relevant to health care services. The provision of health care services was not included in the WTO commitments signed by Brazil during the analyzed period (1994–2018). Financing of private health insurance was part of the agreement since 1994. There was a mild liberalization of the private health insurance sector, while provision of health care services was forbidden to foreign investors until 2015. The mode 3 of GATS presents the greatest potential impact as it exposes health care provision to international competition. The international liberalization of the provision of health care services in Brazil is now legal and an observable consequence of the pressure to gradually lift trade barriers in the health and health care sector.
Development of composite material aluminum-carbon nanotubes with high hardness and controlled thermal conductivity
Authors: Vozniakovskii AA , Kidalov SV , Kol'tsova TS
Published: February 2019

The composite material was obtained by chemical vapor deposition growth of carbon nanotubes on the surface of aluminum particles followed by high-temperature compaction under pressure. The content of carbon nanotubes was 1 wt.%. A composite material with a hardness of 58–60 HB, which is two times higher than the hardness of original aluminum with an adjustable thermal conductivity of 50–150 W/(m × K) and with a low density of 2.7 g/cm3 have been obtained. It was found that the hardness and thermal properties could be adjusted depending on the temperature during hot pressing by controlling the formation of Al3C4 carbide.
Rhythmic Abilities Correlate with L2 Prosody Imitation Abilities in Typologically Different Languages
Authors: Cason Nia , Marmursztejn Muriel , D’Imperio Mariapaola , Schön Daniele
Published: February 2019

While many studies have demonstrated the relationship between musical rhythm and speech prosody, this has been rarely addressed in the context of second language (L2) acquisition. Here, we investigated whether musical rhythmic skills and the production of L2 speech prosody are predictive of one another. We tested both musical and linguistic rhythmic competences of 23 native French speakers of L2 English. Participants completed perception and production music and language tests. In the prosody production test, sentences containing trisyllabic words with either a prominence on the first or on the second syllable were heard and had to be reproduced. Participants were less accurate in reproducing penultimate accent placement. Moreover, the accuracy in reproducing phonologically disfavored stress patterns was best predicted by rhythm production abilities. Our results show, for the first time, that better reproduction of musical rhythmic sequences is predictive of a more successful realization of unfamiliar L2 prosody, specifically in terms of stress-accent placement.