bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The extinction of Faure’s Broom Adenocarpus faurei Maire (Leguminosae) in Algeria
Authors: Miara Mohamed Djamel , Hammou Mohammed Ait , Skipper Jah
Published: April 2018

This study presents efforts made to re-discover the narrow Algerian endemic Adenocarpus faurei Maire and the possible implications of this on the conservation of the Tiaret area in northern Algeria.  Field investigations within an expanded perimeter around known historical localities were carried out over a period of five years.  This prospecting effort yielded no positive sightings highlighting the very probable extinction of Adenocarpus faurei, and the lack of novel field data for many plants of high conservation priority in Algeria.
Contrasting human perceptions of and attitudes towards two threatened small carnivores, Lycalopex fulvipes and Leopardus guigna, in rural communities adjacent to protected areas in Chile
Authors: Sacristán I. , Cevidanes A. , Acuña F. , Aguilar E. , García S. , López M. J. , Millán J. , Napolitano C.
Published: April 2018

The interaction between humans and small carnivores is a phenomenon especially frequent in rural fringes, as is the case of communities surrounding natural areas.  In Chile, two species of threatened carnivores, the Darwin’s Fox and the Guigna, have increased their contact with humans due to human-induced changes in their habitat. The objective of this study was to characterize the interactions of these species with humans by assessing human perceptions and attitudes toward them, and to assess livestock and poultry ownership and management practices in local communities to evaluate their possible roles in the phenomenon.  We conducted semi-structured interviews in rural communities adjacent to natural protected areas of two different regions in southern Chile.  We found that people have a more positive perception of Darwin’s Foxes than Guignas, but both species are considered damaging due to poultry attacks.  Livestock and poultry management was generally deficient. Improvements in animal management and education programs could lead to a significant decrease in negative interactions.
ILCOR Scientific Knowledge Gaps and Clinical Research Priorities for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care: A Consensus Statement
Authors: Kleinman Monica E. , Perkins Gavin D. , Bhanji Farhan , Billi John E. , Bray Janet E. , Callaway Clifton W. , de Caen Allan , Finn Judith C. , Hazinski Mary Fran , Lim Swee Han , Maconochie Ian , Morley Peter , Nadkarni Vinay , Neumar Robert W. , Nikolaou Nikolaos , Nolan Jerry P. , Reis Amelia , Sierra Alfredo F. , Singletary Eunice M. , Soar Jasmeet , Stanton David , Travers Andrew , Welsford Michelle , Zideman David
Published: April 2018

Despite significant advances in the field of resuscitation science, important knowledge gaps persist. Current guidelines for resuscitation are based on the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation 2015 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations, which includes treatment recommendations supported by the available evidence. The writing group developed this consensus statement with the goal of focusing future research by addressing the knowledge gaps identified during and after the 2015 International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation evidence evaluation process. Key publications since the 2015 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations are referenced, along with known ongoing clinical trials that are likely to affect future guidelines.
How Accurate Is Inverse Electrocardiographic Mapping?
Authors: Bear Laura R. , LeGrice Ian J. , Sands Gregory B. , Lever Nigel A. , Loiselle Denis S. , Paterson David J. , Cheng Leo K. , Smaill Bruce H.
Published: April 2018

Background:

Inverse electrocardiographic mapping reconstructs cardiac electrical activity from recorded body surface potentials. This noninvasive technique has been used to identify potential ablation targets. Despite this, there has been little systematic evaluation of its reliability.

Methods:

Torso and ventricular epicardial potentials were recorded simultaneously in anesthetized, closed-chest pigs (n=5), during sinus rhythm, epicardial, and endocardial ventricular pacing (70 records in total). Body surface and cardiac electrode positions were determined and registered using magnetic resonance imaging. Epicardial potentials were reconstructed during ventricular activation using experiment-specific magnetic resonance imaging–based thorax models, with homogeneous or inhomogeneous (lungs, skeletal muscle, fat) electrical properties. Coupled finite/boundary element methods and a meshless approach based on the method of fundamental solutions were compared. Inverse mapping underestimated epicardial potentials >2-fold (
P
<0.0001).

RESULTS:

Mean correlation coefficients for reconstructed epicardial potential distributions ranged from 0.60±0.08 to 0.64±0.07 across all methods. Epicardial electrograms were recovered with reasonable fidelity at ≈50% of sites (median correlation coefficient, 0.69–0.72), but variation was substantial. General activation spread was reproduced (median correlation coefficient, 0.72–0.78 for activation time maps after spatio-temporal smoothing). Epicardial foci were identified with a median location error ≈16 mm (interquartile range, 9–29 mm). Inverse mapping with meshless method of fundamental solutions was better than with finite/boundary element methods, and the latter were not improved by inclusion of inhomogeneous torso electrical properties.

Conclusions:

Inverse potential mapping provides useful information on the origin and spread of epicardial activation. However the spatio-temporal variability of recovered electrograms limit resolution and must constrain the accuracy with which arrhythmia circuits can be identified independently using this approach.
Epigenomics
Authors: Wang Kevin C. , Chang Howard Y.
Published: April 2018

The advent of high-throughput epigenome mapping technologies has ushered in a new era of multiomics where powerful tools can now delineate and record different layers of genomic output. Integrating various components of the epigenome from these multiomics measurements allows the interrogation of cellular heterogeneity in addition to the discovery of molecular connectivity maps between the genome and its functional output. Mapping of chromatin accessibility dynamics and higher-order chromatin structure has enabled new levels of understanding of cell fate decisions, identity, and function in normal development, physiology, and disease. We provide a perspective on the progress of the epigenomics field and applications and anticipate an even greater revolution in our understanding of the human epigenome for years to come.
Electronic Cigarette Prevalence and Patterns of Use in Adults with a History of Cardiovascular Disease in the United States
Authors: Stokes Andrew , Collins Jason M. , Berry Kaitlyn M. , Reynolds Lindsay M. , Fetterman Jessica L. , Rodriguez Carlos J. , Siegel Michael B. , Benjamin Emelia J.
Published: April 2018

Background

Characterizing electronic cigarette (e‐cigarette) use patterns is important for guiding tobacco regulatory policy and projecting the future burden of tobacco‐related diseases. Few studies have examined patterns of e‐cigarette use in individuals with cardiovascular disease (
CVD
).

Methods and Results

We examined e‐cigarette use in adults aged 18 to 89 years with a history of
CVD
, using data from the 2014 National Health Interview Survey. We investigated associations between ever and current e‐cigarette use and smoking with multivariable logistic regression. In a secondary analysis, we modeled the association between e‐cigarette use and a quit attempt over the past year. Former smokers with
CVD
who quit smoking within the past year showed 1.85 (95% confidence interval, 1.03, 3.33) times the odds of having ever used e‐cigarettes as compared with those who reported being “some days” current smokers. Current smokers who attempted to quit smoking within the past year showed significantly increased odds of ever having used e‐cigarettes (odds ratio, 1.70; 95% confidence interval, 1.25, 2.30) and currently using e‐cigarettes (odds ratio, 1.97; 95% confidence interval, 1.32, 2.95) as compared with smokers who had not attempted to quit over the past year.

Conclusions

Individuals with
CVD
who recently quit smoking or reported a recent quit attempt were significantly more likely to use e‐cigarettes than current smokers and those who did not report a quit attempt. Our findings may indicate that this population is using e‐cigarettes as an aid to smoking cessation. Characterizing emerging e‐cigarette use behaviors in adults with
CVD
may help to inform outreach activities aimed at this high‐risk population.
Introduction to ‘Theodor W. Adorno on Marx and the Basic Concepts of Sociological Theory. From a Seminar Transcript in the Summer Semester of 1962’
Authors: O’Kane Chris
Published: April 2018

This introduction outlines the importance that Hans-Georg Backhaus’s transcript of Adorno’s 1962 seminar on ‘Marx and the Basic Concepts of Sociological Theory’ has for shedding light on the relationship between Adorno’s critical theory and the critique of political economy. PartIsignals the importance of the seminar by assaying the Anglophone scholarship on Adorno. PartIIcontextualises the seminar in the development of his thought. PartsIIIandIVfocus on what the transcript tells us about Adorno’s interpretation of Marx and the importance this interpretation held for Adorno’s critical social theory. PartVpoints to the influence this interpretation of the critique of political economy had on the formation of the New German Reading of Marx.
Australian Diplectroninae reviewed (Insecta: Trichoptera), with description of 21 new species, most referred to a new genus
Authors: WELLS ALICE , NEBOISS ARTURS
Published: April 2018

The history of studies on Australian caddisflies in the hydropsychid subfamily Diplectroninae is outlined against a broader background of uncertainties in the delineation of the worldwide type genus, Diplectrona Westwood. For the Australian fauna, keys are given to genera of Diplectroninae that occur in Australia and to adult males of species in Diplectrona (including a newly synonymised genus, Diemeniluma Neboiss), Austropsyche Banks, and Arcyphysa gen. nov. Of the 32 diplectronine species recognised, six are referred to each of Diplectrona and Austropsyche, among them one and four newly described species, respectively; and four established species are transferred from Diplectrona to Arcyphysa gen. nov., to join 16 newly described species. Diplectrona cognata Banks is synonymised with D. spinata Banks and Diplectrona bispinosa Jacquemart with Austropsyche victoriana Banks. Diagnoses and descriptions are accompanied by line drawings illustrating most of the diagnostic features of the genera and of most species, supplemented by photographic images. Australian species of Diplectrona are found from south-eastern Queensland to Tasmania, but neither Austropsyche nor Arcyphysa is known from Tasmania. Austropsyche extends from the Grampians in south-western Victoria to south-eastern Queensland, and the majority of species of Arcyphysa are recorded from north-eastern mainland Australia.
Description of two new species in long-horned crane fly subgenus Tipula (Sivatipula) (Diptera: Tipulidae) from China
Authors: MEN QIU-LEI , TANG LI , WU LI-MEI , JI ZHI-XIN , LI CONG-HU
Published: April 2018

Two new species of subgenus Tipula (Sivatipula) Alexander, 1964, T. (S.) multidentata sp. nov. (southern China: Guizhou) and T. (S.) tergatruncata sp. nov. (southern China: Chongqing) are described and illustrated.
Clouds over the Southern Ocean as Observed from the R/V Investigator during CAPRICORN. Part II: The Properties of Nonprecipitating Stratocumulus
Authors: Mace Gerald G. , Protat Alain
Published: April 2018

The properties of clouds derived from measurements collected using a suite of remote sensors on board the Australian R/V Investigator during a 5-week voyage into the Southern Ocean during March and April 2016 are examined. Based on the findings presented in a companion paper (Part I), we focus our attention on a subset of marine boundary layer (MBL) clouds that form a substantial portion of the cloud-coverage fraction. We find that the MBL clouds that dominate the coverage fraction tend to occur in decoupled boundary layers near the base of marine inversions. The thermodynamic conditions under which these clouds are found are reminiscent of marine stratocumulus studied extensively in the subtropical eastern ocean basins except that here they are often supercooled with a rare presence of the ice phase, quite tenuous in terms of their physical properties, rarely drizzling, and tend to occur in migratory high pressure systems in cold-air advection. We develop a simple cloud property retrieval algorithm that uses as input the lidar-attenuated backscatter, the W-band radar reflectivity, and the 31-GHz brightness temperature. We find that the stratocumulus clouds examined have water paths in the 15–25 g m−2 range, effective radii near 8 μm, and number concentrations in the 20 cm−3 range in the Southern Ocean with optical depths in the range of 3–4. We speculate that addressing the high bias in absorbed shortwave radiation in climate models will require understanding the processes that form and maintain these marine stratocumulus clouds in southern mid- and high latitudes.
Relationships between Extreme Rain Rates and Convective Intensities from the Perspectives of TRMM and WSR-88D Radars
Authors: Gingrey Alexandria , Varble Adam , Zipser Edward
Published: April 2018

TRMM PR 2A25, version 7 (V7), retrievals of reflectivity Z and rainfall rate R are compared with WSR-88D dual-polarimetric S-band radar data for 28 radars over the southeastern United States after matching their horizontal resolution and sampling. TRMM Ku-band measurements are converted to S-band approximations to more directly compare reflectivity estimates. Rain rates are approximated from WSR-88D data using the CSU–hydrometeor identification rainfall optimization (HIDRO) algorithm. Tropics-wide TRMM retrievals confirm previous findings of a low overlap fraction between extreme convective intensity, as approximated by the maximum 40-dBZ height, and extreme near-surface rain rates. WSR-88D data also confirm this low overlap but show that it is likely higher than TRMM PR retrievals indicate. For maximum 40-dBZ echo heights that extend above the freezing level, mean WSR-88D reflectivities at low levels are approximately 2 dB higher than TRMM PR reflectivities. Higher WSR-88D-retrieved rain rates for a given low-level reflectivity combine with these higher low-level reflectivities for a given maximum 40-dBZ height to produce rain rates that are approximately double those retrieved by the TRMM PR for maximum 40-dBZ heights that extend above the freezing level. TRMM PR path-integrated attenuation, and WSR-88D specific differential phase, differential reflectivity, and hail fraction indicate that the TRMM PR 2A25 V7 algorithm is possibly misidentifying low–midlevel hail and/or graupel as greater attenuating liquid, or vice versa. This misidentification, coupled with underestimation of path-integrated attenuation caused by nonuniform beamfilling and higher rain rates produced by specific differential phase (KDP)–R than Z–R relationships, results in low-biased 2A25 V7 rain rates in intense convection.
Prediction of haematocrit in dried blood spots from the measurement of haemoglobin using commercially available sodium lauryl sulphate
Authors: Richardson G , Marshall D , Keevil BG
Published: April 2018

Background

When preparing dried blood spots (DBSs), haematocrit (Hct) can affect the ability of the blood to spread through the filter paper, thus resulting in varying quantities of sample being measured when fixed subpunches of the DBSs are taken. It may be important to predict the sample Hct to correct volume differences.

Methods

Blood (10  µL) was applied to Perkin Elmer 226® paper. The samples ( n = 165) were allowed to dry for 24 h, and the entire blood spots were cut out. Subpunch analysis was also performed on blood spots prepared from 75  µL EDTA blood, taking 6 mm subpunches centrally and peripherally from the spots ( n = 59). The spots were eluted with 100  µL water, and a 10  µL aliquot of lysate was added to sulfolyser reagent (80  µL) in a microtitre plate. Hb was measured at 550 nm using an ELISA plate reader. DBS samples were compared against blood samples measured on a routine Sysmex XN-9000 analyser.

Results

The Passing and Bablock regression showed Hct (DBS-predicted) = 0.99 Hct (Sysmex) −0.02, R2 = 0.87. Intra-assay imprecision measured at Hct values of 0.27, 0.40 and 0.52, gave CVs of 4.1%, 2.8% and 4.2%, respectively. Inter-assay imprecision showed CVs of 6.2%, 5.2% and 4.2%, respectively. DBS samples were stable for up to two days at 60℃, one month at room temperature and six months at 4℃.

Conclusion

This method provides a simple and fast estimation of predicted Hct in dried blood spots.
Understanding Human Error in Naval Aviation Mishaps
Authors: Miranda Andrew T.
Published: April 2018

Objective:

To better understand the external factors that influence the performance and decisions of aviators involved in Naval aviation mishaps.

Background:

Mishaps in complex activities, ranging from aviation to nuclear power operations, are often the result of interactions between multiple components within an organization. The Naval aviation mishap database contains relevant information, both in quantitative statistics and qualitative reports, that permits analysis of such interactions to identify how the working atmosphere influences aviator performance and judgment.

Method:

Results from 95 severe Naval aviation mishaps that occurred from 2011 through 2016 were analyzed using Bayes’ theorem probability formula. Then a content analysis was performed on a subset of relevant mishap reports.

Results:

Out of the 14 latent factors analyzed, the Bayes’ application identified 6 that impacted specific aspects of aviator behavior during mishaps. Technological environment, misperceptions, and mental awareness impacted basic aviation skills. The remaining 3 factors were used to inform a content analysis of the contextual information within mishap reports. Teamwork failures were the result of plan continuation aggravated by diffused responsibility. Resource limitations and risk management deficiencies impacted judgments made by squadron commanders.

Conclusion:

The application of Bayes’ theorem to historical mishap data revealed the role of latent factors within Naval aviation mishaps. Teamwork failures were seen to be considerably damaging to both aviator skill and judgment.

Application:

Both the methods and findings have direct application for organizations interested in understanding the relationships between external factors and human error. It presents real-world evidence to promote effective safety decisions.
Disfluent Font Can Hinder Sight-Word Acquisition in Students With Intellectual Disability
Authors: Taylor Kala L. H. , Skinner Christopher H. , Cazzell Samantha S. , Gibbons Shelby D. , Ryan Kyle , Ruddy Jonah L. , Ciancio Dennis J. , Beeson Thomas S. , Cihak David
Published: April 2018

Students with intellectual disability often have difficulty reading commonly used words. Researchers have found altering printed text from fluent, easy-to-read font, to disfluent, difficult-to-read font can enhance comprehension and recall. An adapted alternating treatments design was used to evaluate and compare sight-word acquisition and maintenance in three postsecondary students with intellectual disability when flashcards were presented in fluent (i.e., 14-point Arial) and disfluent (i.e., 14-point Juice ITC reduced to 70% transparency) fonts. Results showed all three students acquired and maintained both fluent and disfluent words, with two of the three students learning more fluent words. These findings suggest altering fonts to make them difficult to read can hinder, rather than enhance, word learning in students with intellectual disability. Directions for future research are provided with a focus on the need for aptitude-treatment interaction studies.
The interconnectedness of chemsex, drugs, sexual promiscuity and sexual violence
Authors: Javaid Aliraza
Published: April 2018

In this paper, the author attempts to build a critical analysis of the interconnections between chemsex, drugs, sexual promiscuity and male sexual violence. The notion of power is understood within the context of chemsex, along with issues of drug taking and sexual promiscuity since these activities often manifest in chemsex settings. By formulating a theoretical and conceptual analysis, drawing on hegemonic masculinity and normative heterosexuality as theoretical and conceptual frameworks to elucidate some links between chemsex, drug taking, sexual promiscuity and male sexual violence, it is argued that the contexts in which chemsex occurs also give rise to male sexual assault and male rape in that the likelihood of these crimes occurring increases. This work is not (nor could it) generalize to a population. The slow upsurge of writing around male sexual victimisation has overlooked important and salient links between chemsex and male sexual violence. This paper offers a dialogue in which to speak about these links, encouraging future research on these important subject matters to contribute to knowledge in order to fully understand male rape. Making sense of these important links can provide some understanding of the personal, social and cultural implications associated with chemsex and male sexual violence. The current paper contributes to current debates in gender and sexuality studies, adding to current understandings of social and cultural constructions of masculinities and sexualities. Identifying the links between gender, sexualities, chemsex and male rape has largely been absent in gender and sexuality studies. The current paper makes these links to recognise and understand the different ways in which men navigate through different masculinities and sexualities, how they perpetuate or dispel hegemonic masculinity, and how men are positioned in certain masculinities in chemsex contexts. The paper considers the growing popularity of sexual practices that involve levels of drug use sufficient to pose tangible risks to those involved, which is clearly an important issue to highlight and to discuss.
Exposed Biologies and the Banking of Reproductive Vitality in China
Authors: Wahlberg Ayo
Published: April 2018

The looming figures of smog-choked cities, cancer villages and contaminated food have become iconic of a modernising China: the tragic, perhaps unavoidable, side effects of a voracious economy. In this article, I examine how the sperm bank—jingzi ku—in China has emerged quite literally as a sanctuary of vitality amidst concerns around food safety, air and water pollution, rising infertility and declining population quality. As a twist on Margaret Lock’s concept of ‘local biologies’, I argue that ‘exposed biologies’ have become a matter of concern in China in ways that have corroborated a place for hi-tech sperm banks within China’s restrictive reproductive complex. Exposed biologies are a side effect of modernisation processes, as industrially manufactured chemicals are increasingly held culpable for a range of pathologies, from cancers to metabolic diseases, disorders of sex development and infertility. Amidst concerns that pollution and modern lifestyles are deteriorating sperm quality in China, the sperm bank stands out as a repository of screened, purified and quality-controlled vitality, and as such sperm banking can be seen as a form of reproductive insurance, not only for individuals but also for the nation.
Cleft Care of Internationally Adopted Children From China
Authors: Kaye Alison , Che Columbine , Chew William L. , Stueve Elizabeth A. , Jiang Shao
Published: April 2018

Objective:

To quantify a population of international adoptees from China with cleft lip and/or palate to assess presentations and team management practices.

Design:

Single institution retrospective.

Patients:

One hundred one patients with cleft lip and/or palate and history of international adoption from China.

Results:

Forty-nine males and 52 females were adopted from 2001 to 2014. Median age at arrival was 26 months. A total of 88.1% had a combined cleft lip and palate: 59 unilateral, 30 bilateral. Only 4 patients had isolated cleft palate. A total of 85.6% had cleft lip repair before adoption; 41.6% had both cleft lip and palate repairs in China. A total of 14.9% of adoptees had no prior surgery. In China, median age at lip repair was 10 months, and palate repair was 19 months. Once in the United States, lip repair was at 24 months and palate repair at 24 months. Eighty-three revision surgeries were performed. A total of 79.2% of children demonstrated moderate to severe articulation disorders. A total of 36.6% had velopharyngeal insufficiency with hypernasal speech. Forty percent required palatal revision surgery to achieve normal resonance. Fifty seven percent of patients presented with concomitant medical issues but less than 10% with global delays or autism.

Conclusions:

Chinese adoptees have more complex presentations and delayed surgical care compared to their domestic counterparts. Engaging prospective families starting before adoption helps to manage expectations. Long-range planning, timely surgery, aggressive therapy, and close careful follow-up can mitigate some of these differences. Speech and language problems including articulation disorders, expressive delays, and hypernasality are frequent and can persist despite interventions.
“Too Young to Remember Determined Not to Forget”
Authors: Fridman Orli
Published: April 2018

This article examines memory activism among the young generation of activists in Serbia, born during or toward the end of the wars of the 1990s. By analyzing the actions of members of the Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR), a Belgrade-based nongovernmental organization, as memory activism, this article aims to deepen the analysis of and discussions about current mnemonic processes in Serbia and to point at a dynamic space of action and engaged citizenship. I discuss the actions and positions of those young activists as related to the contested memories of the wars of the breakup of Yugoslavia and to the legacies of the 1990s. More specifically, I analyze their responses to, and interactions with, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) convicts who returned to Serbia and reclaimed their engagement in public life. The text is based on data collected in several stages of field research since 2010 that included observations of and in-depth interviews with YIHR activists in Serbia. It addresses the following main questions: What constitutes memory activism in Serbia? What new tactics do the young generation of memory activists employ and how innovative are their practices when engaging with the public on issues related to challenging silence and denial in their society? How do they articulate their claims and demands as related to the issue of returning ICTY convicts, and especially of those who are now public figures in Serbia? I conclude that at the heart of memory activism as examined in the case of Serbia stands a regional and even transnational network of mnemonic practices, revolving around similar mnemonic battles, taking place in some of the other successor states of the former Yugoslavia as well. As such, further analysis of memory activism in the postwar post-Yugoslav sphere will require additional empirical and analytical research of this region as a region of memory.
When Campaigns Can Backfire: National Identities and Support for Parties in the 2015 U.K. General Election in Scotland
Authors: Morisi Davide
Published: April 2018

Research on campaign strategies generally assumes that political parties avoid campaigning on issues that are internally divisive. However, this strategy might not always be viable, especially when parties attack each other in high-stake elections. This article provides novel evidence on the effects of campaigning on cross-cutting issues by focusing on the 2015 U.K. general election in Scotland. Results based on an experiment and a nationally representative survey show that the strategy to criticize the Scottish National Party (SNP) with regard to the cross-cutting issue of Scottish independence polarized voters along national identity lines. Among British voters, attack statements and perceived negativity increased support for some of the parties sponsoring the attacks, whereas among Scottish voters they actually increased support for the target of the attacks. In addition, experimental results indicate that attack statements affected mainly ideologically close parties (the Labour Party and the SNP). At the theoretical level, these findings indicate that the strategy to attack opposite parties on divisive issues can lead to both electoral gains and losses depending on voters’ “identification” with such issues.
Sepsis-Induced Coagulopathy and Japanese Association for Acute Medicine DIC in Coagulopathic Patients with Decreased Antithrombin and Treated by Antithrombin
Authors: Iba Toshiaki , Arakawa Makoto , Levy Jerrold H. , Yamakawa Kazuma , Koami Hiroyuki , Hifumi Toru , Sato Koichi
Published: April 2018

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in patients with sepsis represents a critical condition. Thus, a simple and rapid diagnosis is required. The purpose of this study was to compare the performances of a recently developed Sepsis-Induced Coagulopathy (SIC) with the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine (JAAM) DIC. Four hundred nine patients with sepsis having coagulopathy and antithrombin activity of less than 70% and treated with antithrombin were retrospectively analyzed, and the SIC and JAAM-DIC criteria on days 1 (before treatment), 2, 4, and 7 were compared. The prevalence of JAAM-DIC on day 1 was significantly higher than that of SIC (91.4% vs 81.8%, P = .003), but there were no differences on days 2, 4, and 7. The mortality rates in the SIC and JAAM-DIC groups were both 23.3%. The specificity to 28-day mortality on day 1 was higher in the SIC group (15.8% vs 9.2%, P = .013). There were no differences in sensitivity on days 1, 2, 4, and 7. Mortality was significantly different between SIC-positive and SIC-negative groups on days 2, 4, and 7 ( P < .01, respectively), while significant differences were seen between JAAM-DIC-positive and JAAM-DIC-negative groups only on days 4 and 7 ( P < .05, .01, respectively). In summary, the SIC characteristics were similar to the JAAM-DIC group, and the classifications were comparable in terms of mortality prediction. The SIC scoring system is simple, easy to use, and adaptable to the new sepsis definitions and offers an important approach to evaluating patients in emergency and critical care settings.
Highly scalable intelligent sensory application and time domain matrix for safety-critical system design
Authors: Jeong Taikyeong Ted
Published: April 2018

The designs of highly scalable intelligent sensory application—Ethernet-based communication architectures—are moving toward the integration of a fault recovery and fault-detection algorithm on the automotive industry. In particular, each port on the same network interface card design is required to provide highly scalable and low-latency communication. In this article, we present a study of intelligent sensory application for the Ethernet-based communication architecture and performance of multi-port configuration which is mainly used in safety-enhanced application such as automotive, military, finance, and aerospace, in other words, safety-critical applications. Our contributions and observations on the highly scalable intelligent behavior: (1) proposed network interface card board design scheme and architecture with multi-port configuration are a stable network configuration; (2) timing matrix is defined for fault detection and recovery time; (3) experimental and related verification methods by cyclic redundancy check between client–server and testing platform provide comparable results to each port configurations; and (4) application program interface–level algorithm is defined to make network interface card ready for fault detection.
The power of the format catalogue
Authors: Keinonen Heidi
Published: April 2018

While the international flows of media content and the emergence of global media giants have gained extensive scholarly attention, their implications for national television production remain understudied. The article addresses the question of how the concentration of ownership and transnational flows involved in global media industries determine television production in a small national market. By analysing the structures, practices and agencies involved in programme format import and adaptation in Finland, the article introduces the format catalogue as the main vehicle of distributing and establishing the structuring properties of global formats in local television production.
Delayed activation of PPAR-β/δ improves long-term survival in mouse sepsis: effects on organ inflammation and coagulation
Authors: Busch Daniel , Kapoor Amar , Rademann Pia , Hildebrand Frank , Bahrami Soheyl , Thiemermann Christoph , Osuchowski Marcin F
Published: April 2018

Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-β/δ reduces tissue injury in murine endotoxemia. We hypothesized that the PPAR-β/δ-agonist GW0742 improves long-term outcome after sepsis caused by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Fifty-one CD-1 female mice underwent CLP and received either vehicle (control), GW0742 (0.03 mg/kg/injection; five post-CLP i.v. injections), GSK0660 (PPAR-β/δ-antagonist) or both and were monitored for 28 d. Another 20 CLP mice treated with GW0742 and vehicle were sacrificed 24 h post-CLP to assess coagulopathy. Compared to vehicle, survival of CLP-mice treated with GW0742 was higher by 35% at d 7 and by 50% at d 28. CLP mice treated with GW0742 had 60% higher IFN-γ but circulating monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and chemokine ligand were lower at 48 h post-CLP. Compared to vehicle, CLP mice treated with GW0742 exhibited a 50% reduction in the circulating plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 associated with an increase in platelet number at 24 h post-CLP (but no changes occurred in anti-thrombin-III, plasminogen, fibrinogen and clotting-times). CLP mice treated with GW0742 exhibited a similar increase in most of the biochemical markers of organ injury/dysfunction (lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, creatine kinase, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and triglycerides) measured. Treatment with GW0742 consistently improved long-term survival in septic CD-1 mice by partially modulating the post-CLP systemic cytokine response and coagulation systems.
Influence of the Vibralung Acoustical Percussor on pulmonary function and sputum expectoration in individuals with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Wheatley Courtney M. , Baker Sarah E. , Daines Cori M. , Phan Hanna , Martinez Marina G. , Morgan Wayne J. , Snyder Eric M.
Published: April 2018

Background:

The Vibralung Acoustical Percussor is a new airway clearance therapy (ACT) utilizing intrapulmonary sound waves in addition to positive expiratory pressure (PEP). We evaluated the safety of the Vibralung and collected preliminary data on its ability to mediate sputum expectoration in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF).

Methods:

Over two separate studies, 10 and 11 mild to moderate CF patients were recruited for study I and II, respectively. Study I: Vibralung was used for 20 min with either no sound (NS: PEP only) or sound (S: PEP and sound) on randomized visits. Pulmonary function, diffusion capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide and nitric oxide (DLCO/DLNO), symptoms, and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) were measured at baseline and at 1 and 4 h post treatment. Expectorated sputum was collected over 4 h post treatment. Study II: over 5 days of in-hospital therapy, the Vibralung or vibratory vest therapy (Vest) were used for two therapy sessions per day, with sputum collected for 20 min following each therapy and pulmonary function accessed pre and post each 5-day period (days 1–5 or 7–11) in a randomized crossover design.

Results:

Vibralung usage resulted in no change from baseline to 4 h post in pulmonary function, SpO2 or symptoms ( p > 0.05). At 4 h post therapy, the DLCO- and DLNO-derived measure of alveolar–capillary unit function (DM/ VC) showed improvement (DM/ VC = 12.5 ± 5.5 versus 7.3 ± 18.8% change, S versus NS) with no difference between S and NS ( p = 0.74). Sputum expectoration was similar between S and NS conditions (wet sputum = 10.5 ± 4.6 versus 9.9 ± 3.2 g, S versus NS, p = 0.25). There were no differences in the improvement in pulmonary function between Vibralung and Vest during either 5-day period during the hospital stay.

Conclusions:

Vibralung was well tolerated and caused no detrimental changes in pulmonary function metrics. The Vibralung appears to be a safe ACT in individuals with CF.
Practical guidance for the management of iron deficiency in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Niepel Dorothea , Klag Thomas , Malek Nisar P. , Wehkamp Jan
Published: April 2018

Iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are some of the most common systemic complications of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Symptoms such as fatigue, reduced ability to concentrate and reduced exercise tolerance can mimic common symptoms of IBD and can therefore easily be overseen. Furthermore, clinicians tend to see mild to moderate anemia as an inevitable accompaniment of IBD that is sufficiently explained by the underlying disease and does not require further workup. But in contrast to these clinical routines, current guidelines recommend that any degree of anemia in patients with IBD should be further evaluated and treated. Multiple studies have shown that anemia is a main factor for decreased quality of life (QoL) in patients with IBD. Correction of anemia, however, can significantly improve the QoL of patients with IBD. It is therefore recommended that every patient with IBD is regularly screened for iron deficiency and anemia. If detected, appropriate workup and treatment should be initiated. Over the last years, a number of new diagnostic tools and treatment options have been developed. Multiple studies have demonstrated the safety of newer formulations of intravenous iron in patients with IBD and have compared oral and intravenous iron in various situations. Treatment recommendations have changed and new evidence-based guidelines were developed. However, to date these guidelines are still not widely implemented in clinical practice. The aim of this review is to draw attention to the need for treatment for every level of anemia in patients with IBD and to provide some practical guidance for screening, diagnostics, treatment and follow up of IDA in patients with IBD following current international guidelines.
Performance of cooling materials and their composites in maintaining freezing temperature during irradiation and transportation of bone allografts
Authors: Ramalingam Saravana , Samsuddin Sharifah Mazni , Yusof Norimah , Mohd Suhaili , Hanafi Nurhafizatul Nadia , Min Ng Wuey , Mansor Azura
Published: April 2018

Purpose:

Bone allografts supplied by University Malaya Medical Centre Bone Bank are sterilized by gamma radiation at 25 kGy in dry ice (DI) to minimize radiation effects. Use of cheaper and easily available cooling materials, gel ice (GI) and ice pack (IP), was explored. Composites of DI and GI were also studied for the use in routine transportations and radiation process.

Methods:

(a) Five dummy bones were packed with DI, GI, or IP in a polystyrene box. The bone temperatures were monitored while the boxes were placed at room temperature over 96 h. Durations for each cooling material maintaining freezing temperatures below −40°C, −20°C, and 0°C were obtained from the bone temperature over time profiles. (b) Composites of DI (20, 15, 10, 5, and 0 kg) and GI were used to pack five dummy bones in a polystyrene box. The durations maintaining varying levels of freezing temperature were compared.

Results:

DI (20 kg) maintained temperature below −40°C for 76.4 h as compared to 6.3 h in GI (20 bags) and 4.0 h in IP (15 packs). Composites of 15DI (15 kg DI and 9 GI bags) and 10DI (10 kg DI and 17 GI bags) maintained the temperature below −40°C for 61 and 35.5 h, respectively.

Conclusion:

Composites of DI and GI can be used to maintain bones in deep frozen state during irradiation, thus avoiding radiation effects on biomechanical properties. Sterile frozen bone allograft with preserved functional properties is required in clinical applications.
Is Inquiry Science Instruction Effective for English Language Learners? A Meta-Analytic Review
Authors: Estrella Gabriel , Au Jacky , Jaeggi Susanne M. , Collins Penelope
Published: April 2018

Despite being among the fastest growing segments of the student population, English Language Learners (ELLs) have yet to attain the same academic success as their English-proficient peers, particularly in science. In an effort to support the pedagogical needs of this group, educators have been urged to adopt inquiry approaches to science instruction. Whereas inquiry instruction has been shown to improve science outcomes for non-ELLs, systematic evidence in support of its effectiveness with ELLs has yet to be established. The current meta-analysis summarizes the effect of inquiry instruction on the science achievement of ELLs in elementary school. Although an analysis of 26 articles confirmed that inquiry instruction produced significantly greater impacts on measures of science achievement for ELLs compared to direct instruction, there was still a differential learning effect suggesting greater efficacy for non-ELLs compared to ELLs. Contextual factors that moderate these effects are identified and discussed.
How Long Does the Benefit of Biologics Last? An Update on Time to Relapse and Potential for Rebound of Biologic Agents for Psoriasis
Authors: Kamaria Monique , Liao Wilson , Koo J. Y.
Published: April 2018

The biologic agents vary considerably in terms of their long-term duration of effect. Using the definitions provided by the National Psoriasis Foundation Medical Board, the objective of this review was to compare all biologic agents with respect to time to relapse and potential for rebound. Overall, alefacept had the longest off-treatment benefit (29.9 weeks in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index [PASI] 75 responders), followed by ustekinumab (22 weeks), infliximab (19.5 weeks), adalimumab (18 weeks), etanercept (12.1 weeks in PASI 50 responders), and lastly efalizumab (9.6 weeks). Rebound was reported commonly for efalizumab (14%) and extremely rarely for etanercept (0.002%).
An imaging-based treatment algorithm for posterior focal retinitis
Authors: Chawla Rohan , Tripathy Koushik , Temkar Shreyas , Venkatesh Pradeep , Kumar Atul
Published: April 2018

Background:

In this paper, our aim was to describe an imaging-based empirical approach for categorizing and initiating treatment of immunocompetent patients with posterior focal retinitis, prior to the availability of results of expensive laboratory investigations.

Materials and methods:

The hospital records of 13 patients with posterior focal retinitis were reviewed.

Results:

Of the 13 patients, 9 were women and 4 were men. The mean age was 24 ± 8 years. Based on similarities in clinical presentation and imaging, we categorized our cases into three groups with different first-line therapeutic strategies. In the first group, patients had presumed toxoplasmosis (treated with oral cotrimoxazole); in the second group, patients had presumed viral (herpetic) etiology (treated with oral valacyclovir); and in the third group, patients had presumed nonherpetic, nontoxoplasma retinitis (treated with oral doxycycline). Positive serology results included Rickettsia (two patients), Borrelia (one patient), Toxoplasma (two patients), and herpes simplex virus (one patient).

Conclusion:

An empirical approach for early initiation of therapy in retinitis cases based on imaging features is described.
Existence of weak solutions of stochastic delay differential systems with Schrödinger–Brownian motions
Authors: Sun Jianguo , Kou Liang , Guo Gang , Zhao Guodong , Wang Yong
Published: April 2018

By using new Schrödinger type inequalities appearing in Jiang and Usó (J. Inequal. Appl. 2016:233, 2016), we study the existence of weak solutions of stochastic delay differential systems with Schrödinger–Brownian motions.
Pathways to Recovery: development and evaluation of a cognitive–behavioural therapy in-patient treatment programme for adults with anorexia nervosa
Authors: Brown Andrea , Jenkinson Richard , Coakes Julia , Cockfield Annette , O'Brien Tish , Hall Louise
Published: April 2018

Aims and method

A cognitive–behavioural therapy in-patient treatment model for adults with severe anorexia nervosa was developed and evaluated, and outcomes were compared with the previous treatment model and other published outcomes from similar settings.

Results

This study showed the Pathways to Recovery outcomes were positive in terms of improvements in body mass index and psychopathology.

Clinical implications

Adults with anorexia nervosa can achieve good outcomes despite longer illness duration and comorbidities.

Declaration of interest

A.B., A.C. and L.H. work at The Retreat where the Pathways to Recovery were developed.
Functional characterization of DYRK1A missense variants associated with a syndromic form of intellectual deficiency and autism
Authors: Widowati Esti Wahyu , Ernst Sabrina , Hausmann Ralf , Müller-Newen Gerhard , Becker Walter
Published: April 2018

Haploinsufficiency of DYRK1A is a cause of a neurodevelopmental syndrome termed mental retardation autosomal dominant 7 (MRD7). Several truncation mutations, microdeletions and missense variants have been identified and result in a recognizable phenotypic profile, including microcephaly, intellectual disability, epileptic seizures, autism spectrum disorder and language delay. DYRK1A is an evolutionary conserved protein kinase which achieves full catalytic activity through tyrosine autophosphorylation. We used a heterologous mammalian expression system to explore the functional characteristics of pathogenic missense variants that affect the catalytic domain of DYRK1A. Four of the substitutions eliminated tyrosine autophosphorylation (L245R, F308V, S311F, S346P), indicating that these variants lacked kinase activity. Tyrosine phosphorylation of DYRK1A-L295F in mammalian cells was comparable to wild type, although the mutant showed lower catalytic activity and reduced thermodynamic stability in cellular thermal shift assays. In addition, we observed that one variant (DYRK1A-T588N) with a mutation outside the catalytic domain did not differ from wild-type DYRK1A in tyrosine autophosphorylation, catalytic activity or subcellular localization. These results suggest that the pathogenic missense variants in the catalytic domain of DYRK1A impair enzymatic function by affecting catalytic residues or by compromising the structural integrity of the kinase domain.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
A Macroeconomic Approach to Optimal Unemployment Insurance: Theory
Authors: Landais Camille , Michaillat Pascal , Saez Emmanuel
Published: April 2018

This paper develops a theory of optimal unemployment insurance (UI) in matching models. The optimal UI replacement rate is the conventional Baily-Chetty replacement rate, which solves the tradeoff between insurance and job-search incentives, plus a correction term, which is positive when an increase in UI pushes the labor market tightness toward its efficient level. In matching models, most wage mechanisms do not ensure efficiency, so tightness is generally inefficient. The effect of UI on tightness depends on the model: increasing UI may raise tightness by alleviating the rat race for jobs or lower tightness by increasing wages through bargaining. (JEL E24, J22, J23, J31, J41, J64, J65)