bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Surgical Approach to the Anterior Nucleus of Thalamus in Patients With Refractory Epilepsy: Experience from the International Multicenter Registry (MORE)
Authors: Lehtimäki Kai , Coenen Volker A , Gonçalves Ferreira Antonio , Boon Paul , Elger Christian , Taylor Rod S , Ryvlin Philippe , Gil-Nagel Antonio , Gielen Frans , Brionne Thomas C , Abouihia Abdallah , Beth Grégory ,   MORE investigators
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND

The Medtronic Registry for Epilepsy (MORE; Medtronic Inc, Dublin, Ireland) is an open label observational study evaluating the long-term effectiveness, safety, and performance of deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the anterior nucleus of thalamus (ANT) for the treatment of refractory epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the difference in success rate of placing contacts at ANT-target region (ANT-TR) between transventricular (TV) and extraventricular (EV) lead trajectories in 73 ANT-DBS implants in 17 European centers participating in the MORE registry.

METHODS

The success rate of placing contacts at ANT-TR was evaluated using a screening method combining both individual patient imaging information and stereotactic atlas information to identify contacts at ANT-TR.

RESULTS

EV lead trajectory was used in 53% of the trajectories. Approximately, 90% of the TV lead trajectories had at least 1 contact at ANT-TR, vs only 71% of the EV lead trajectories. The success rate for placing at least 1 contact at ANT-TR bilaterally was 84% for TV implants and 58% for EV implants (P < .05; Fisher's exact). No intracranial bleedings were observed, but 1 cortical infarct was reported following EV lead trajectory.

CONCLUSION

The results of this registry support the use of TV lead trajectories for ANT-DBS as they have a higher probability in placing contacts at ANT-TR, without appearing to compromise procedural safety. Follow-up data collection is continuing in the MORE registry. These data will provide outcomes associated with TV and EV trajectories.
Indian and Chinese aviation industry: the EASA framework option
Authors: Kourousis Kyriakos I. , Comer Anthony
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This viewpoint aims to increase the awareness on the demand faced by the technical sector of the Indian and Chinese aviation industry and how this can be met by the adoption of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulatory framework.

Design/methodology/approach

A brief overview of the challenges that the Indian and the Chinese aviation industry is facing is provided, in terms of meeting the demand for sustainable growth. A description of the structure of the EASA framework and its main characteristics is presented, along with a focussed discussion on the framework’s applicability to the Indian and the Chinese aviation maintenance and broader continuing airworthiness sector.

Findings

The EASA regulatory framework can offer a safe and business-effective solution for the Indian and the Chinese aviation industry, aligning with world’s best practice.

Practical implications

A discussion in adopting the EASA framework in India and China can be helpful in increasing awareness and assisting decision makers realise that this is a possible option.

Originality/value

This viewpoint can be useful in provoking discussion, by summarising the key issues and points surrounding aviation regulation standardisation in India and China, along the lines of the EASA framework. Moreover, some possible ways to increase awareness around EASA in India and China are discussed from the point of view of influencing tomorrow’s decision makers.
Evaluation of ozone risk under different air-supply mode in aircraft cabins
Authors: Shi Zhibo , Han Yong , Bai Jie
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the ozone risk introduced by the mixing air-supply mode, displacement air-supply mode and personalized air-supply mode, respectively, in commercial aircraft cabins.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of aircraft cabin has been built to study the distribution of ozone mass fraction and the ozone surface deposition rate on passenger’s face and clothes under the three different air-supply modes, respectively. The distribution of ozone mass fraction has been obtained by calculating the mass concentration of ozone in different location. The ozone surface deposition rate on passenger’s face and clothes has been calculated according to the mechanism of the reactions between ozone and squalene, which is the primary reactant in human sebum.

Findings

By comparing the three air-supply modes, it was considered that the mixing air-supply mode made lower ozone concentration and ozone surface deposition risk in most area, but this was because of the thin air distribution in cabin. The displacement air-supply mode made an uneven distribution of ozone concentration and increased absorbing ozone risk in the breathing zone. The personalized air-supply mode was proper for avoiding ozone harm and making a comfortable air environment. The air supply from the inlet on seat back could not increase the ozone surface deposition risk on passenger’s face.

Originality/value

This paper provides the qualitative and quantitative analysis for ozone risk to the passengers under the different air-supply modes. Findings can provide some suggestions for the designers to optimize the air-supply mode of air distribution system for reducing passengers’ discomfort caused by high-altitude ozone introduction, such as breathing in too much ozone.
Nonlinear analysis of VCO jitter generation using Volterra series
Authors: Dehbovid Hadi , Adarang Habib , Tavakoli Mohammad Bagher
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Charge pump phase locked loops (CPPLLs) are nonlinear systems as a result of the nonlinear behavior of voltage-controlled oscillators (VCO). This paper aims to specify jitter generation of voltage controlled oscillator phase noise in CPPLLs, by considering approximated practical model for VCO.

Design/methodology/approach

CPPLL, in practice, shows nonlinear behavior, and usually in LC-VCOs, it follows second-degree polynomial function behavior. Therefore, the nonlinear differential equation of the system is obtained which shows the CPPLLs are a nonlinear system with memory, and that Volterra series expansion is useful for such systems.

Findings

In this paper, by considering approximated practical model for VCO, jitter generation of voltage controlled oscillator phase noise in CPPLLs is specified. Behavioral simulation is used to validate the analytical results. The results show a suitable agreement between analytical equations and simulation results.

Originality/value

The proposed method in this paper has two advantages over the conventional design and analysis methods. First, in contrast to an ideal CPPLL, in which the characteristic of the VCO’s output frequency based on the control voltage is linear, in the present paper, a nonlinear behavior was considered for this characteristic in accordance with the real situations. Besides, regarding the simulations in this paper, a behavior similar to the second-degree polynomial was considered, which caused the dependence of the produced jitter’s characteristic corner frequency on the jitter’s amplitude. Second, some new nonlinear differential equations were proposed for the system, which ensured the calculation of the produced jitter of the VCO phase noise in CPPLLs. The presented method is general enough to be used for designing the CPPLL.
Taylor series expansion for evaluating the bounds of electric potentials in an electrostatic system with interval parameters
Authors: Wang Pengbo , Wang Jingxuan
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Uncertainty is ubiquitous in practical engineering and scientific research. The uncertainties in parameters can be treated as interval numbers. The prediction of upper and lower bounds of the response of a system including uncertain parameters is of immense significance in uncertainty analysis. This paper aims to evaluate the upper and lower bounds of electric potentials in an electrostatic system efficiently with interval parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

The Taylor series expansion is proposed for evaluating the upper and lower bounds of electric potentials in an electrostatic system with interval parameters. The uncertain parameters of the electrostatic system are represented by interval notations. By performing Taylor series expansion on the electric potentials obtained using the equilibrium governing equation and by using the properties of interval mathematics, the upper and lower bounds of the electric potentials of an electrostatic system can be calculated.

Findings

To evaluate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method, the upper and lower bounds of the electric potentials and the computation time of the proposed method are compared with those obtained using the Monte Carlo simulation, which is referred to as a reference solution. Numerical examples illustrate that the bounds of electric potentials of this method are consistent with those obtained using the Monte Carlo simulation. Moreover, the proposed method is significantly more time-saving.

Originality/value

This paper provides a rapid computational method to estimate the upper and lower bounds of electric potentials in electrostatics analysis with interval parameters. The precision of the proposed method is acceptable for engineering applications, and the computation time of the proposed method is significantly less than that of the Monte Carlo simulation, which is the most widely used method related to uncertainties. The Monte Carlo simulation requires a large number of samplings, and this leads to significant runtime consumption.
Application of the corrected response surface methodology for the optimization of a permanent magnet synchronous machine
Authors: Vivier Stéphane
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce an original application of the corrected response surface method (CRSM) in the context of the optimal design of a permanent magnet synchronous machine used as an integrated starter generator. This method makes it possible to carry out this design in a very efficient manner, in comparison with conventional optimization approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

The search for optimal conditions is achieved by the joint use of two multi-physics models of the machine to be optimized. The former models most finely the physical functioning of the machine; it is called “fine model”. The second model describes the same physical phenomena as the fine model but must be much quicker to evaluate. Thus, to minimize its evaluation time, it is necessary to simplify it considerably. It is called “coarse model”. The lightness of the coarse model allows it to be used intensively by conventional optimization algorithms. On the other hand, the fine reference model makes it possible to recalibrate the results obtained from the coarse model at any instant, and mainly at the end of each classical optimization. The difference in definition between fine and coarse models implies that these two models do not give the same output values for the same input configuration. The approach described in this study proposes to correct the values of the coarse model outputs by constructing an adjustment (correcting) response surface. This gives the name to this method. It then becomes possible to have the entire load of the optimization carried over to the coarse model adjusted by the addition of this correction response surface.

Findings

The application of this method shows satisfactory results, in particular in comparison with those obtained with a traditional optimization approach based on a single (fine) model. It thus appears that the approach by CRSM makes it possible to converge much more quickly toward the optimal configurations. Also, the use of response surfaces for optimization makes it possible to capitalize the modeling data, thus making it possible to reuse them, if necessary, for subsequent optimal design studies. Numerous tests show that this approach is relatively robust to the variations of many important functioning parameters.

Originality/value

The CRSM technique is an indirect multi-model optimization method. This paper presents the application of this relatively undeveloped optimization approach, combining the features and benefits of (Indirect) efficient global optimization techniques and (multi-model) space mapping methods.
Solving the electrical impedance tomography inverse problem for logarithmic conductivity
Authors: Pellegrini Sergio P. , Trigo Flavio C. , Lima Raul G.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

In the context of electrical impedance tomography (EIT), this paper aims to evaluate limitations of estimating conductivity or resistivity, as well as the improvements achieved with the use of an alternate description of the solution space, the logarithmic conductivity.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative analysis is performed, solving the inverse EIT problem by using the Gauss–Newton and non-linear conjugate gradient methods for a numerical phantom of 15 elements. A property of symmetry is studied for the direct EIT problem for a phantom of 385,601 elements.

Findings

Solving the inverse EIT problem in logarithmic conductivity is more robust to the initial guess, as solutions are kept within physical bounds (conductivity positiveness). Also, convergence is faster and less dependent on the final values of the estimates.

Research limitations/implications

Logarithmic conductivity provides an advantageous description of the solution space for the EIT inverse problem. Similar estimation problems might be subject to analogous conclusions.

Originality/value

This study provides a novel analysis, quantitatively comparing the effect of different variables to solve the inverse EIT problem.
Pareto-based branch and bound algorithm for multiobjective optimization of a safety transformer
Authors: Brisset Stéphane , Tran Tuan-Vu
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a multiobjective branch and bound (MOBB) algorithm with a new criteria for the branching and discarding of nodes based on Pareto dominance and contribution metric.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiobjective branch and bound (MOBB) method is presented and applied to the bi-objective combinatorial optimization of a safety transformer. A comparison with exhaustive enumeration and non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA2) confirms the solutions.

Findings

It appears that MOBB and NSGA2 are both sensitive to their control parameters. The parameters for the MOBB algorithm are the number of starting points and the number of solutions on the relaxed Pareto front. The parameters of NSGA2 are the population size and the number of generations.

Originality/value

The comparison with exhaustive enumeration confirms that the proposed algorithm is able to find the complete set of non-dominated solutions in about 235 times fewer evaluations. As this last method is exact, its confidence level is higher.
Use of SQP optimization algorithm to size a multiphysical system
Authors: Tran Le Nhat Hoang , Gerbaud Laurent , Retière Nicolas , Nguyen Huu Hieu
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Static converters generate current harmonics in power grids. For numerous studies, analytical frequency modeling is preferred to carry out their harmonic modeling in the context of sizing by optimization. However, a design by optimization has to consider other constraints, e.g. modeling constraints and operating constraints. In this way, this paper aims to focus on applying an analytical frequency modeling on the sizing by optimization of an aircraft electrical power channel.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper aims to size a multiphysical system by optimization. In this way, the sizing of an aircraft electrical power channel by optimization has been carried out. The models of all the channel components are analytical. Specifically, the frequency model of the power electronics is based on Tran et al. (2016) and is made of equalities and inequalities. Due to this modeling choice, the optimization satisfies hundreds of constraints, such as modeling constraints and static converter operating constraints. Furthermore, transient constraints are only verified after optimization.

Findings

The difficulty is the modeling of the system by taking into account nonlinear implicit equations having several solutions. A solution is the addition of inequality constraints to the model to guide the implicit solving. Furthermore, this greatly helps the optimization algorithm to find the good operating mode of the static converter, at steady state. This aspect is indispensable to validate the sizing model.

Research limitations/implications

The number of the configurations per operating period of the static converters is defined a priori and limited.

Originality/value

The analytical model for the sizing is formulated as a constrained optimization problem. Its solving and the sizing by optimization are carried out by the same optimization algorithm.
Design by optimization of controlled static converters with EMC filters in aeronautics
Authors: Baraston Arnaud , Gerbaud Laurent , Schanen Jean-Luc
Published: January 2018

Purpose

With the increasing number of onboard controlled static converters in aeronautics, methods to design lighter configurations are required. This study aims to help the designer sizing optimal electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) filters and, moreover, finding optimal voltage levels and switching frequency, which have a great impact on the design and global mass of such converters.

Design/methodology/approach

Analytical models for capacitors, inductors and heatsink are settled. Using frequency modeling, EMC can be studied analytically. To deal with frequency and voltages variations, models of perturbations sources are developed. Concerning the problem of surveilling thousands of harmonics to check the whole frequency range of EMC standards in optimization, a strategy that drastically reduces the number of computations and has a good convergence is proposed.

Findings

The methods settled in the paper allow to optimize a controlled static converter with its EMC filters along with finding optimal switching frequency and voltage levels. A study on a three-phase rectifier reveals the importance of the switching frequency on converter design with EMC filters. A 28 per cent mass reduction is predicted by increasing the switching frequency from 10 to 30 kHz. The designed converters are verified by simulations.

Research limitations/implications

Investigating the voltage levels along with the switching frequency has not been achieved yet for static controlled converters with EMC constraints. The approach lacks experimental validations, but it is currently ongoing.

Originality/value

Dealing analytically with the changes of frequency or voltages in an EMC study is a new feature. The possibility to use deterministic algorithm is essential for dealing with the important number of constraints and the numerous interactions between all the parts of the problem, especially EMC.
Improvement of topology optimization method based on level set function in magnetic field problem
Authors: Okamoto Yoshifumi , Masuda Hiroshi , Kanda Yutaro , Hoshino Reona , Wakao Shinji
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is the improvement of topology optimization. The scope of the paper is focused on the speedup of optimization.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the speedup, the method of moving asymptotes (MMA) with constrained condition of level set function is applied instead of solving the Hamilton–Jacobi equation.

Findings

The acceleration of convergence of objective function is drastically improved by the implementation of MMA.

Originality/value

Normally, the level set method is solved through the Hamilton–Jacobi equation. However, the possibility of introducing mathematical programming is clear by the constrained condition. Furthermore, the proposed method is suitable for efficiently solving the topology optimization problem in the magnetic field system.
A case-based reasoning approach to rate microcredit borrower risk in online Kiva P2P lending model
Authors: Uddin Mohammed Jamal , Vizzari Giuseppe , Bandini Stefania , Imam Mahmood Osman
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the case-based reasoning (CBR) approach to improve microcredit initiatives by means of providing a borrower risk rating system.

Design/methodology/approach

The CBR approach has been used to consider the Kiva microcredit system, which provides a characterization (rating) of the risk associated with the field partner supporting the loan, but not of the specific borrower which would benefit from it. The authors discuss how the combination of available historical data on loans and their outcomes (structured as a case base) and available knowledge on how to evaluate the risk associated with a loan request can be used to provide the end users with an indication of the risk rating associated with a loan request based on similar past situations.

Findings

The adopted approach is applied and evaluated employing a selection of cases from individual loans. From this perspective, the case base and the codified knowledge about how to evaluate risks associated with a loan represent two examples of knowledge IT artifacts.

Originality/value

The originality of the work lies in borrower risk rating in online indirect peer-to-peer microcredit lending platforms. The case base and the codified knowledge are the two contributions in knowledge IT artifacts.
Strategizing sustainability in e-commerce channels for additive manufacturing using value-focused thinking and fuzzy cognitive maps
Authors: Shukla Shekhar , Mohanty B.K. , Kumar Ashwani
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight an innovative approach to explore and evaluate the sustainability perspectives in e-commerce channels for additive manufacturing (AM). This approach helps the stakeholders to perform strategic planning dependent on a scenario-based analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper structures the problem of understanding the sustainability perspectives of e-commerce channels for AM using value-focused thinking to identify the related fundamental objectives. These objectives assist in creating dynamic scenarios based on fuzzy cognitive maps of different e-commerce channels for AM.

Findings

To evaluate the proposed research methodology, four scenarios were developed for each e-commerce channel for AM. The exploration and evaluation of one of these scenarios assisted in explaining the whereabouts of the process to aid in strategizing decision situations and understanding these channels better from the sustainability perspective.

Practical implications

The approach presented in this paper can be used by the practitioners to perform strategic planning for prioritizing sustainability in e-commerce channels for AM; considering the consequences and trade-offs wrt the other factors. Moreover, the scenario-based analysis can be performed depending on the problem requirements of the stakeholder.

Originality/value

The paper addresses the gap of understanding the theoretical aspect of the sustainability perspective in e-commerce channels for AM and the practical aspect of exploring and evaluating them. A scenario-based analysis for each e-commerce channel based on the fundamental objectives of sustainability provides insights for implementation and directions for future research.
Persistent anchoring to default rates when electing 401(k) contributions
Authors: Foltice Bryan , Arling Priscilla A. , Kirby Jill E. , Saajasto Kegan
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the 401(k) auto-enrollment rate influences the size of elected contribution rates in defined contribution plans for new, young enrollees.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors survey 324 undergraduate students at a mid-sized Midwestern university, and compare the elected contribution rates for two groups who were randomly given two default rates: 3 and 15 percent.

Findings

The results indicate widespread evidence of the anchoring and adjusting heuristic in regards to the provided auto-enrollment rate, as the 3 percent default rate group selects a contribution rate of approximately 2 percent less than the group that was provided with the 15 percent default rate. The results also provide support to the benefits of financial education: those who were taking or had already taken a college-level finance course provide higher contribution rates by about 1.7 percent overall. Additionally, individuals with the lowest critical thinking skills elect approximately 2 percent less in annual contributions overall than those who demonstrate higher critical thinking skills.

Originality/value

Interestingly, all groups seem to be susceptible to the anchoring and adjustment heuristic, as the default rate plays a significant role in the elected contribution rate, regardless of an individual’s financial sophistication or critical thinking skill level. The authors hope that these findings prompt benefit plan administrators and policy-makers to reconsider default rates in their retirement plans that would allow for maximum savings and participation rates. The findings also speak in favor of developing programs that would assist enrollees with financial education and critical thinking skills that would yield better retirement savings decisions when asked to make their employee benefit selections.
Assessment of medication adherence and treatment satisfaction in Japanese patients with psoriasis of various severities
Authors: Ichiyama Susumu , Ito Michiko , Funasaka Yoko , Abe Masatoshi , Nishida Emi , Muramatsu Shinnosuke , Nishihara Haruna , Kato Hiroshi , Morita Akimichi , Imafuku Shinichi , Saeki Hidehisa
Published: January 2018

Psoriasis is a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory keratotic skin disease. To elucidate the medication adherence and treatment satisfaction, we performed a questionnaire survey using the eight‐item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS‐8) and nine‐item Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM‐9) of 163 psoriatic patients who regularly visited hospitals or clinics. To assess the relationship between the MMAS‐8/TSQM‐9 outcomes and severity of psoriasis, two different clinical severity indices were used: the Psoriasis Area and the Severity Index (PASI) for disease severity and the Psoriasis Disability Index (PDI) for quality of life (QOL) impairment. The MMAS‐8 score for oral medication was significantly higher than that for topical medication. The oral and topical MMAS‐8 scores were significantly correlated with the PDI score, but not with the PASI score, indicating that QOL impairment lowered treatment motivation. All of the TSQM‐9 domain scores (effectiveness, convenience and global satisfaction) were significantly correlated with both the PASI and PDI scores, suggesting that patients whose skin and QOL conditions were under good control had high satisfaction with treatment. Patients treated with biologics had higher satisfaction than those treated with non‐biologics.
Exotic flies maintain pollination services as native pollinators decline with agricultural expansion
Authors: Stavert Jamie R. , Pattemore David E. , Bartomeus Ignasi , Gaskett Anne C. , Beggs Jacqueline R.
Published: January 2018

Globally, conversion of natural habitat to agricultural land is a primary driver of declines in critical ecosystem services, including pollination. However, exotic species are often well‐adapted to human‐modified environments and could compensate for ecosystem services that are lost when native species decline.

We measured pollination services (pollen delivery to stigma) provided by wild insects to a mass flowering crop, pak choi Brassica rapa at 12 sites across a gradient of increasing agricultural land use (agricultural expansion) in New Zealand.

We found that pollination services increased as the proportion of agricultural land in the surrounding landscape increased; pollination from exotic species exceeded the loss of pollination from native species. However, pollination service delivery became increasingly dominated by a few exotic fly species that were active throughout the day, compared to native species, which had more constrained activity patterns.

Synthesis and applications. The best way to ensure continued sufficient crop pollination is to protect and restore diverse natural habitats on or around farms, as species‐rich pollinator communities are relatively resilient to further environmental change. However, we show that where human‐driven disturbance has caused loss of native pollinator species, exotic pollinators can maintain sufficient pollination. Therefore, in areas where native species loss cannot easily be reversed, decisions about pesticide use and habitat provision that foster populations of beneficial exotic species are likely to maintain pollination service delivery, at least in the short term. This highlights the need for land managers to identify the pollinator communities that are present on their farms, whether native or exotic, and make decisions to support these important communities accordingly.
Characterization of a New α‐Linolenic Acid‐Rich Oil:Eucommia ulmoidesSeed Oil
Authors: Zhang Zhen‐shan , Liu Yu‐lan , Che Li‐ming
Published: January 2018

Eucommia ulmoidesseed oil is the main byproduct ofE. ulmoidescultivation. To better understand its functions,E. ulmoidesseed oil is characterized comprehensively in this work. The composition ofE. ulmoidesseed, physicochemical properties, thermal properties, fatty acid composition, triacylglycerol (TAG) composition and Vitamin E composition ofE. ulmoidesseed oil were determined. The results show that theE. ulmoidesseed contained about 34.63% oil. The excellent physicochemical properties ofE. ulmoidesseed oil ensured it has a potential to be developed as an edible oil. The main fatty acids inE. ulmoidesseed oil were linolenic acid (61.36%), oleic acid (17.02%), and linoleic acid (12.04%). HPLC‐ELSD method determined that LnLnLn (37.99%), LnLnO (22.62%), LnLnL (14.5%), and LnLnP (8.78%) were the oil's major TAG components. The oil exhibited a unique thermal curve which contained 2 melting peaks at –38.45 and –22.22 °C, respectively. The total content of vitamin E inE. ulmoidesseed oil was 190.96 mg/100g, which exist mainly inγ‐tocopherol andδ‐tocopherol isomer. Overall, the results indicated thatE. ulmoidesseed oil is a promising oil in food, pharmaceutics, cosmetics and other nonfood industries.
Floodplain Trapping and Cycling Compared to Streambank Erosion of Sediment and Nutrients in an Agricultural Watershed
Authors: Gillespie Jaimie L. , Noe Gregory B. , Hupp Cliff R. , Gellis Allen C. , Schenk Edward R.
Published: January 2018

Floodplains and streambanks can positively and negatively influence downstream water quality through interacting geomorphic and biogeochemical processes. Few studies have measured those processes in agricultural watersheds. We measured inputs (floodplain sedimentation and dissolved inorganic loading), cycling (floodplain soil nitrogen [N] and phosphorus [P] mineralization), and losses (bank erosion) of sediment, N, and P longitudinally in stream reaches of Smith Creek, an agricultural watershed in the Valley and Ridge physiographic province. All study reaches were net depositional (floodplain deposition > bank erosion), had high N and P sedimentation and loading rates to the floodplain, high soil concentrations of N and P, and high rates of floodplain soil N and P mineralization. High sediment, N, and P inputs to floodplains are attributed to agricultural activity in the region. Rates of P mineralization were much greater than those measured in other studies of nontidal floodplains that used the same method. Floodplain connectivity and sediment deposition decreased longitudinally, contrary to patterns in most watersheds. The net trapping function of Smith Creek floodplains indicates a benefit to water quality. Further research is needed to determine if future decreases in floodplain deposition, continued bank erosion, and the potential for nitrate leaching from nutrient‐enriched floodplain soils could pose a long‐term source of sediment and nutrients to downstream rivers.
Exploring Approximate Bayesian Computation for inferring recent demographic history with genomic markers in nonmodel species
Authors: Elleouet Joane S. , Aitken Sally N.
Published: January 2018

Approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) is widely used to infer demographic history of populations and species using DNA markers. Genomic markers can now be developed for nonmodel species using reduced representation library (RRL) sequencing methods that select a fraction of the genome using targeted sequence capture or restriction enzymes (genotyping‐by‐sequencing, GBS). We explored the influence of marker number and length, knowledge of gametic phase, and tradeoffs between sample size and sequencing depth on the quality of demographic inferences performed with ABC. We focused on two‐population models of recent spatial expansion with varying numbers of unknown parameters. Performing ABC on simulated data sets with known parameter values, we found that the timing of a recent spatial expansion event could be precisely estimated in a three‐parameter model. Taking into account uncertainty in parameters such as initial population size and migration rate collectively decreased the precision of inferences dramatically. Phasing haplotypes did not improve results, regardless of sequence length. Numerous short sequences were as valuable as fewer, longer sequences, and performed best when a large sample size was sequenced at low individual depth, even when sequencing errors were added. ABC results were similar to results obtained with an alternative method based on the site frequency spectrum (SFS) when performed with unphased GBS‐type markers. We conclude that unphased GBS‐type data sets can be sufficient to precisely infer simple demographic models, and discuss possible improvements for the use of ABC with genomic data.
Association between ERα polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus: susceptibility and in silico analysis
Authors: Salimi Saeedeh , Mohammadpour‐Gharehbagh Abbas , Keshavarzi Farshid , Farajian‐Mashhadi Farzaneh , Mousavi Mahdieh , Sandoughi Mahnaz
Published: January 2018

Background

Systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) is a multisystem and autoimmune disorder leading to damage of multi‐organ systems. The current study aimed to assess the possible association between ERα gene polymorphisms and SLE in a southeast Iranian population.

Methods

The ERα PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) method in 170 SLE patients and 186 healthy subjects.

Results

There was no association between ERα PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms and SLE susceptibility; however, the combination of the TC/AA and CC/GG genotypes of ESR α PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms were more frequent in SLE patients. The results indicated that TT haplotype of the ERα gene polymorphisms could increase the SLE risk almost 2.4‐fold (odds ratio 2.4, 95% CI 1.3–4.3, P = 0.005). The in silico analysis revealed that the ERα PvuII and XbaI single nucleotide polymorphisms occurred in acceptor splicing sites, and these mutations can lead to the increase of Human Splicing Finder score of the mutant alleles.

Conclusions

The ESR α PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms have no association with SLE; however, the combination of the TC/AA and CC/GG genotypes were associated with SLE susceptibility.
Improving recruitment to pharmacological trials for illicit opioid use: findings from a qualitative focus group study
Authors: Neale Joanne , Tompkins Charlotte N. E. , McDonald Rebecca , Strang John
Published: January 2018

Aim

To explore potential study participants’ views on willingness to join clinical trials of pharmacological interventions for illicit opioid use to inform and improve future recruitment strategies.

Design

Qualitative focus group study [six groups: oral methadone (two groups); buprenorphine tablets (two groups); injectable opioid agonist treatment (one group); and former opioid agonist treatment (one group)].

Settings

Drug and alcohol services and a peer support recovery service (London, UK).

Participants

Forty people with experience of opioid agonist treatment for heroin dependence (26 males, 14 females; aged 33–66 years).

Measurements

Data collection was facilitated by a topic guide that explored willingness to enrol in clinical pharmacological trials. Groups were audio‐recorded and transcribed. Transcribed data were analysed inductively via Iterative Categorization.

Findings

Participants’ willingness to join pharmacological trials of medications for opioid dependence was affected by factors relating to study burden, study drug, study design, study population and study relationships. Participants worried that the trial drug might be worse than, or interfere with, their current treatment. They also misunderstood aspects of trial design despite the researchers’ explanations.

Conclusions

Recruitment of participants for clinical trials of pharmacological interventions for illicit opioid use could be improved if researchers became better at explaining clinical trials to potential participants, dispelling misconceptions about trials and increasing trust in the research process and research establishment. A checklist of issues to consider when designing pharmacological trials for illicit opioid use is proposed.
Adolescents’ alcohol use and strength of policy relating to youth access, trading hours and driving under the influence: findings from Australia
Authors: White Victoria , Azar Denise , Faulkner Agatha , Coomber Kerri , Durkin Sarah , Livingston Michael , Chikritzhs Tanya , Room Robin , Wakefield Melanie
Published: January 2018

Aims

To determine (i) whether the strength of Australian alcohol control policy in three domains (youth access, trading hours and drink driving) changed during the 2000s; and (ii) estimate associations between these policies and adolescent drinking after adjusting for television alcohol advertising exposures, alcohol outlet density, alcohol price changes, exposure to negative articles about alcohol in daily newspapers and adult drinking prevalence.

Design

Repeated cross‐sectional surveys conducted triennially from 2002 to 2011. Multi‐level modelling examined the association between alcohol control policies and drinking prevalence after adjusting for covariates.

Setting

Four Australian capital cities between 2002 and 2011.

Participants

Students aged 12–17 years participating in a triennial national representative school‐based survey (sample size range/survey: 9805–13 119).

Measurements

Outcome measures were: past month drinking and risky drinking (5+ drinks on a day) in the past 7 days. Policy strength in each of three domains (youth access, trading hours, drink‐driving) were the key predictor variables. Covariates included: past 3‐month television alcohol and alcohol‐control advertising, alcohol outlet density, alcohol price change, negatively framed newspaper alcohol articles, adult drinking prevalence and student demographic characteristics.

Findings

During the study period, the strength of youth access policies increased by 10%, trading hours policies by 14% and drink‐driving policies by 58%. Past‐month and risky drinking prevalence decreased (e.g. past‐month: 2002: 47.4% to 2011: 26.3%). Multivariable analyses that included all policy variables and adjusted for year, student and other covariates showed past‐month drinking to be associated inversely with stronger trading hours policies [odds ratio (OR) = 0.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.69, 0.94], but not youth access (OR = 0.92 95% CI = 0.81, 1.04) or drink‐driving (OR = 1.00, 95% CI = 0.93, 1.09). Risky drinking was associated inversely with stronger youth access policies (OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.69, 0.98), but not trading hours (OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.66, 1.09) or drink‐driving (OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.90, 1.14) policies.

Conclusions

Population‐directed policies designed to reduce alcohol availability and promotion may reduce adolescents’ alcohol use.
Can one simple questionnaire assess substance‐related and behavioural addiction problems? Results of a proposed new screener for community epidemiology
Authors: Schluter Magdalen G. , Hodgins David C. , Wolfe Jody , Wild T. Cameron
Published: January 2018

Background and aims

There is currently no well‐validated measure that assesses a broad spectrum of substance‐related and behavioural addictions in general populations. This study aimed to develop a brief self‐attribution Screener for Substance and Behavioural Addictions (SSBA) to screen for four substances and six behaviours, and to compare its performance with established individual‐behaviour screening instruments.

Design

A small, psychometrically optimal set of items to assess self‐attributed indicators of addiction across alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, cocaine, gambling, shopping, videogaming, overeating, sexual activity and overworking were identified from a broader pool that was developed using a lay epidemiology qualitative approach. The suitability of the four‐item single‐factor solution was tested for each behaviour and scores were compared with those obtained from the sample using individual‐behaviour screening instruments.

Setting and Participants

Participants (n = 6000), broadly representative of the Canadian English‐speaking adult population, were recruited through the Ipsos Reid Canadian Online Panel.

Measurements

Participants completed an item pool of 15 indicators of addiction for each target behaviour and a validation instrument for one randomly assigned behaviour.

Findings

A set of four items identified using principal component and confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated good fit and excellent internal consistency (α = 0.87–0.95) across behaviours, and good convergent validity (rs = 0.44–0.8) with extant instruments measuring similar constructs, with only one exception (r = 0.26).

Conclusions

The proposed Screener for Substance and Behavioural Addiction is a reliable and valid measure assessing the lay public's self‐attributed indicators of addiction across 10 substances and behaviours.
A quantification of the alcohol use‐consequences association in college student and clinical populations: A large, multi‐sample study
Authors: Prince Mark A. , Pearson Matthew R. , Bravo Adrian J. , Montes Kevin S.
Published: January 2018

Background

The present study sought to quantify the relationship between alcohol use and alcohol‐related consequences in both college student and clinical samples.

Methods

We gathered 33 college student datasets comprising of 15,618 participants and nine clinical sample datasets comprising of 4,527 participants to determine the effect size of the relationship between alcohol use and alcohol‐related consequences. We used random‐effects meta‐analytic techniques, separately in college and clinical samples, to account for a distribution of true effects and to assess for heterogeneity in effect sizes.

Results

Results demonstrated that the clear majority of the variability in alcohol‐related consequences is not explained by alcohol use (ie, >77% in college samples; >86% in clinical samples), and that there was significant heterogeneity in all effect sizes.

Conclusions and Scientific Significance

Experiencing alcohol‐related consequences results from factors that extend beyond frequency and quantity of alcohol consumed suggesting a need to examine other predictors of alcohol‐related consequences beyond alcohol use. (Am J Addict 2018;27:116–123)
Impact of body mass index on the oncological outcomes of patients with upper and lower urinary tract cancers treated with radical surgery: A multi‐institutional retrospective study
Authors: Murakami Yasukiyo , Matsumoto Kazumasa , Ikeda Masaomi , Utsunomiya Takuji , Hirayama Takahiro , Koguchi Dai , Matsuda Daisuke , Okuno Norihiko , Taoka Yoshinori , Irie Akira , Iwamura Masatsugu
Published: January 2018

Aim

To evaluate the impact of body mass index (BMI) on the oncological outcomes of urothelial carcinoma (UC) patients.

Patients and methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from 818 patients with upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC) and bladder cancer (BC) who were treated with radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) or radical cystectomy (RC) between 1990 and 2015 at six different institutions in Japan. Patients with distant metastasis at diagnosis and those who received neoadjuvant therapies were excluded, leaving 727 eligible patients (UTUC: n = 441; BC: n = 286). Patients were classified into four groups according to World Health Organization BMI criteria: underweight (BMI <18.5  kg/m2), normal weight (BMI 18.5–25 kg/m2), overweight (BMI 25.1–30 kg/m2), and obese (BMI >30 kg/m2).

Results

Overweight UTUC and BC patients achieved significantly better cancer‐specific survival (CSS) than the other three groups. However, obese UTUC and BC patients had significantly worse CSS than the other three groups (UTUC: P = 0.031; BC: P = 0.0019). Multivariate analysis of BC patients demonstrated that obesity was an independent predictor of unfavorable CSS (hazard ratio [HR] = 7.47; P = 0.002) and that being underweight was an independent predictor of favorable CSS (HR = 0.37; P = 0.029). However, BMI was not a prognostic factor for CSS in UTUC patients according to multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Obesity was an independent predictor of BC patients requiring RC. Conversely, being underweight was associated with a favorable prognosis for BC patients. However, BMI was not an independent prognostic factor in patients with upper urinary tract cancer.
Care of pregnant women with decreased fetal movements: Update of a clinical practice guideline for Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Daly Lisa M. , Gardener Glenn , Bowring Victoria , Burton Wendy , Chadha Yogesh , Ellwood David , Frøen Frederik , Gordon Adrienne , Heazell Alexander , Mahomed Kassam , McDonald Susan , Norman Jane E. , Oats Jeremy , Flenady Vicki
Published: January 2018

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth and the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ) have recently partnered in updating an important clinical practice guideline, Care of pregnant women with decreased fetal movements. This guideline offers 12 recommendations and a suggested care pathway, with the aim to improve the quality of care for women reporting decreased fetal movements through an evidence‐based approach. Adoption of the guideline by clinicians and maternity hospitals could result in earlier identification of higher‐risk pregnancies, improved perinatal health outcomes for women and their babies, and reduced stillbirth rates.