bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
German-wide prospective DACAPO cohort of survivors of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): a cohort profile
Authors: Dodoo-Schittko Frank , Brandstetter Susanne , Brandl Magdalena , Blecha Sebastian , Quintel Michael , Weber-Carstens Steffen , Kluge Stefan , Kirschning Thomas , Muders Thomas , Bercker Sven , Ellger Björn , Arndt Christian , Meybohm Patrick , Adamzik Michael , Goldmann Anton , Karagiannidis Christian , Bein Thomas , Apfelbacher Christian
Published: April 2018

Purpose

While most research focuses on the association between medical characteristics and residual morbidity of survivors of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), little is known about the relation between potentially modifiable intensive care unit (ICU) features and the course of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Accordingly, the DACAPO study was set up to elucidate the influence of quality of intensive care on HRQoL and return to work (RtW) in survivors of ARDS. The continued follow-up of these former ICU patients leads to the establishment of the DACAPO (survivor) cohort.

Participants

Sixty-one ICUs all over Germany recruited patients with ARDS between September 2014 and April 2016. Inclusion criteria were: (1) age older than 18 years and (2) ARDS diagnosis according to the ‘Berlin definition’. No further inclusion or exclusion criteria were applied. 1225 patients with ARDS could be included in the DACAPO ICU sample. Subsequently, the 876 survivors at ICU discharge form the actual DACAPO cohort.

Findings to date

The recruitment of the participants of the DACAPO cohort and the baseline data collection has been completed. The care-related data of the DACAPO cohort reveal a high proportion of adverse events (in particular, hypoglycaemia and reintubation). However, evidence-based supportive measures were applied frequently.

Future plans

Three months, 6 months and 1 year after ICU admission a follow-up assessment is conducted. The instruments of the follow-up questionnaires comprise the domains: (A) HRQoL, (B) RtW, (C) general disability, (D) psychiatric symptoms and (E) social support. Additionally, an annual follow-up of the DACAPO cohort focusing on HRQoL, psychiatric symptoms and healthcare utilisation will be conducted. Furthermore, several add-on projects affecting medical issues are envisaged.

Trial registration number

NCT02637011.
Effect of maternal origin on the association between maternal height and risk of preterm birth in Belgium: a retrospective observational cohort study
Authors: Van Leeuw Virginie , Leroy Charlotte , Englert Yvon , Zhang Wei-Hong
Published: April 2018

Objectives

To investigate the effect of maternal origin on the association between maternal height and the risk of preterm birth (PTB).

Design

Retrospective observational cohort study.

Setting

Two of the three Belgian regions, including Brussels-Capital and Walloon regions.

Participants

A total of 245 204 women spontaneously delivered live singletons between 2009 and 2013. Maternal nationality at the time of birth included Belgium, Congo, French, Italy, Morocco, Poland, Romania and Turkey.

Outcomes measures

The outcome variable was spontaneous PTB, defined as childbirth occurring at less than 37 weeks’ gestation.

Results

Average height, demographic characteristics and the spontaneous PTB rate differed according to maternal origin, defined as maternal nationality at birth. The pattern of association between maternal height and the risk of PTB was not uniform by maternal nationality at birth. The low maternal height category was associated with a statistically significant increased risk of spontaneous PTB for Belgian (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.23, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.32), Italian (aOR 1.48, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.96) and Polish (aOR 1.76, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.78), respectively. However, this association was not observed for the women from Congo, France, Morocco, Romania and Turkey.

Conclusions

The association between height and the risk of PTB was modified by maternal nationality, even for mothers from the same region of the world. For example, there was a significant inverse association for the Belgians and Italians but not for French women. Our data suggest that PTB risk assessment should take into account the specific height of maternal origin.
Relationship between islet autoantibody status and the clinical characteristics of children and adults with incident type 1 diabetes in a UK cohort
Authors: Bravis Vassiliki , Kaur Akaal , Walkey Helen C , Godsland Ian F , Misra Shivani , Bingley Polly J , Williams Alistair J K , Dunger David B , Dayan Colin M , Peakman Mark , Oliver Nick S , Johnston Desmond G
Published: April 2018

Objectives

To describe the characteristics of children and adults with incident type 1 diabetes in contemporary, multiethnic UK, focusing on differences between the islet autoantibody negative and positive.

Design

Observational cohort study.

Setting

146 mainly secondary care centres across England and Wales.

Participants

3312 people aged ≥5 years were recruited within 6 months of a clinical diagnosis of type 1 diabetes via the National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network. 3021 were of white European ethnicity and 291 (9%) were non-white. There was a small male predominance (57%). Young people <17 years comprised 59%.

Main outcome measures

Autoantibody status and characteristics at presentation.

Results

The majority presented with classical osmotic symptoms, weight loss and fatigue. Ketoacidosis was common (42%), especially in adults, and irrespective of ethnicity. 35% were overweight or obese. Of the 1778 participants who donated a blood sample, 85% were positive for one or more autoantibodies against glutamate decarboxylase, islet antigen-2 and zinc transporter 8. Presenting symptoms were similar in the autoantibody-positive and autoantibody-negative participants, as was the frequency of ketoacidosis (43%vs40%, P=0.3). Autoantibody positivity was less common with increasing age (P=0.0001), in males compared with females (82%vs90%, P<0.0001) and in people of non-white compared with white ethnicity (73%vs86%, P<0.0001). Body mass index was higher in autoantibody-negative adults than autoantibody-positive adults (median, IQR 25.5, 23.1–29.2vs23.9, 21.4–26.7 kg/m2; P=0.0001). Autoantibody-negative participants were more likely to have a parent with diabetes (28%vs16%, P<0.0001) and less likely to have another autoimmune disease (4%vs8%, P=0.01).

Conclusions

Most people assigned a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes presented with classical clinical features and islet autoantibodies. Although indistinguishable at an individual level, autoantibody-negative participants as a group demonstrated features more typically associated with other diabetes subtypes.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN66496918; Pre-results.
Palliative care in medical practice: medical students' expectations
Authors: Diver Ruth , Quince Thelma , Barclay Stephen , Benson John , Brimicombe James , Wood Diana , Thiemann Pia
Published: April 2018

Objectives

During their careers, all doctors will be involved in the care of the dying, and this is likely to increase with current demographic trends. Future doctors need to be well-prepared for this. Little is known about medical students’ expectations about providing palliative care. Our aim was to investigate how satisfying students expect palliative care to be, and any attitudes towards palliative care associated with a negative expectation.

Methods

Fifteen UK medical schools participated in the study, with 1898 first and final year students completing an online questionnaire which investigated how satisfying they expect providing palliative care to be and their attitudes towards palliative care.

Results

At both the beginning and end of their training, a significant proportion of students expect palliative care to be less satisfying than other care (19.3% first year, 16% final year). Students expecting palliative care to be less satisfying were more likely to be men, and their attitudes suggest that while they understand the importance of providing palliative care they are concerned about the potential impact of this kind of work on them personally.

Conclusions

Medical student education needs to address why palliative care is important and how to deliver it effectively, and the strategies for dealing positively with the impact of this work on future clinicians.
Effects of Pharmacological Reversal of Hyperuricemia on Features of the Metabolic Syndrome in Patients with Gouty Arthritis
Authors: Marin Mariana , Maalouf Naim M
Published: April 2018

Hyperuricemia has been associated in epidemiological studies with the development of obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether lowering of serum uric acid (UA) alters any of the features of the metabolic syndrome. In this prospective study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01654276), 24 patients with gouty arthritis and hyperuricemia were treated for 6 months with the xanthine oxidase inhibitor febuxostat to lower serum UA to <6 mg/dL. Measurements of 24 hours ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) and serum and urine markers of the metabolic syndrome were measured at baseline and at the end of 6 months of febuxostat. The study population consisted of 18 men and 6 women, 18 of which completed the baseline and 6 months visits. Serum UA decreased significantly from 8.7±1.5 mg/dL at baseline to 4.4±1.1 mg/dL at 6 months (P<0.0001). During that time frame, there was no significant change in body mass index, systolic or diastolic blood pressure measured by 24 hours ABP monitor, serum glucose, insulin or homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, serum total and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, serum triglycerides or urine pH (P>0.05 for all). There was no correlation between parameters of the metabolic syndrome and the decline in serum UA or serum UA achieved at study end. In conclusion, in patients with gouty arthritis, UA lowering with febuxostat below 6 mg/dL had no significant impact on features of the metabolic syndrome.
Lumbar Spine Bone Mineral Density Z-Score Discrepancies by Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry Do Not Predict Vertebral Fractures in Children
Authors: Harindhanavudhi Tasma , Petryk Anna , Jones Richard , Regodón Wallin Amanda , Hodges James S , Van Nortwick Sara , Miller Bradley S , Holm Tara L , Sarafoglou Kyriakie
Published: April 2018

Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) remains the most common mode of bone mineral density (BMD) evaluation. In adults, presence of a lumbar spine (LS) BMD T-score discrepancy (>1 SD difference between adjacent vertebrae) can indicate a vertebral fracture. In children, however, the clinical significance of such discrepancies is unknown. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the association between LS DXA and LS morphology to elucidate the clinical significance of an LS BMD Z-score discrepancy. We identified 360 DXA scans performed between September 2014 and May 2016 in patients 5–18 years of age. DXA scans were cross-referenced against available LS radiographs and vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) within the 6 months preceding or following a DXA scan. After excluding 44 DXA scans because of spinal hardware, incomplete DXA, or repeat scans, 316 DXA scans were included; 81 (25.6%) had either an LS radiograph or a VFA. Twenty-five of 81 patients (30.9%) had >1 SD difference between adjacent vertebrae in LS BMD Z-score. Two of these 25 patients (8%) had a lumbar vertebral fracture documented by a spine radiograph. Of the remaining 56 patients who did not have a discrepancy >1 SD, 6 patients (11%) had a lumbar vertebral fracture. Discrepancies in LS BMD Z-scores were not associated with lumbar vertebral fractures and, in the absence of fractures, likely represented vertebral developmental variants in children whose skeletons are still growing. Therefore, it does not appear justified to recommend further imaging based solely on the results of a DXA scan without clinically meaningful indications.
Randomised trial of the comparison of drug-eluting stents in patients with diabetes: OCT DES trial
Authors: Hamshere Stephen , Byrne Alex , Choudhury Tawfiq , Gallagher Sean M , Rathod Krishnaraj S , Lungley Julia , Knight Charles J , Kapur Akhil , Jones Daniel A , Mathur Anthony
Published: April 2018

Background

To date, there have been limited comparisons performed between everolimus-eluting stents (EES) and zotarolimus-eluting stents (ZES) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). The objectives of this study was to assess the use of second-generation drug-eluting stents in patients with DM, using optical coherence tomography (OCT) to compare the level of stent coverage of Boston Scientific Promus Element EES compared with Medtronic Resolute Integrity ZES.(Clinicaltrials.gov numberNCT02060357).

Methods

This is a single-centre randomised blinded trials assessing two commercially available stents in 60 patients with diabetes (ZES: n=30, EES: n=30). Patients underwent intracoronary assessment at 6 months with OCT assessing stent coverage, malapposition, neointimal thickness and percentage of in-stent restenosis (ISR).

Results

Of the 60 patients randomised, 46 patients underwent OCT analysis. There was no difference in baseline characteristics between the two groups. Both Promus Element and Resolute Integrity had low rates of uncovered struts at 6 months with no significant difference between the two groups (2.44% vs 1.24%, respectively; P=0.17). Rates of malapposition struts (3.9% vs 2.5%, P=0.25) and percentage of luminal loss did not differ between stent types. In addition, there was no significant difference in major adverse cardiovascular events (P=0.24) between the stent types.

Conclusions

This study is the first randomised trial to evaluate OCT at 6 months for ZES and EES in patients with diabetes. Both stents showed comparable strut coverage at 6 months, with no difference in ISR rates at 6 months.
Phylogeny-dominant classification of J-proteins inArabidopsis thalianaandBrassica oleracea
Authors: Zhang Bin , Qiu Han-Lin , Qu Dong-Hai , Ruan Ying , Chen Dong-Hong
Published: April 2018

Hsp40s or DnaJ/J-proteins are evolutionarily conserved in all organisms as co-chaperones of molecular chaperone HSP70s that mainly participate in maintaining cellular protein homeostasis, such as protein folding, assembly, stabilization, and translocation under normal conditions as well as refolding and degradation under environmental stresses. It has been reported that Arabidopsis J-proteins are classified into four classes (types A–D) according to domain organization, but their phylogenetic relationships are unknown. Here, we identified 129 J-proteins in the world-wide popular vegetable Brassica oleracea, a close relative of the model plant Arabidopsis, and also revised the information of Arabidopsis J-proteins based on the latest online bioresources. According to phylogenetic analysis with domain organization and gene structure as references, the J-proteins from Arabidopsis and B. oleracea were classified into 15 main clades (I–XV) separated by a number of undefined small branches with remote relationship. Based on the number of members, they respectively belong to multigene clades, oligo-gene clades, and mono-gene clades. The J-protein genes from different clades may function together or separately to constitute a complicated regulatory network. This study provides a constructive viewpoint for J-protein classification and an informative platform for further functional dissection and resistant genes discovery related to genetic improvement of crop plants.
Some intriguing aspects of multiparticle production processes
Authors: Wilk Grzegorz , Włodarczyk Zbigniew
Published: April 2018

Multiparticle production processes provide valuable information about the mechanism of the conversion of the initial energy of projectiles into a number of secondaries by measuring their multiplicity distributions and their distributions in phase space. They therefore serve as a reference point for more involved measurements. Distributions in phase space are usually investigated using the statistical approach, very successful in general but failing in cases of small colliding systems, small multiplicities, and at the edges of the allowed phase space, in which cases the underlying dynamical effects competing with the statistical distributions take over. We discuss an alternative approach, which applies to the whole phase space without detailed knowledge of dynamics. It is based on a modification of the usual statistics by generalizing it to a superstatistical form. We stress particularly the scaling and self-similar properties of such an approach manifesting themselves as the phenomena of the log-periodic oscillations and oscillations of temperature caused by sound waves in hadronic matter. Concerning the multiplicity distributions we discuss in detail the phenomenon of the oscillatory behavior of the modified combinants apparently observed in experimental data.
The Emotional Recognition and Sharing-Space Applying in University Library Based on the Analysis of Tongue Image
Authors: Wang Jingyi , Yuan Run , Shi Hongwei
Published: April 2018

Knowledge-sharing spaces in university libraries have gradually become a new area for college students to learn, research, and experience. How to apply them in constructing shared knowledge spaces corresponding to different emotions plays an increasing role in promoting library services and development. Taking college students as the main users, this paper gives the relationship between the physical parameters of shared space and the basic emotion of users by systematically analyzing the interaction between user sentiment and situational physical parameters. Besides, the typical emotions are represented and identified by using the tongue diagnosis technique (TDT), for the emotion of library users can be recognized by identifying their tongue color. At last, we put forward an effective method that the building and applying of the library-sharing spaces can be done based on corresponding emotion patterns of the users. The result of the college student questionnaire survey shows that this method has a good validity and feasibility which may contribute a lot to service promotion and library development in universities.
Multi-Objective Handoff Scheme for Macro/Femto WiMAX Networks
Authors: Menshawy Lamiaa , Nashaat Heba , Rizk Rawya
Published: April 2018

Femtocell plays a significant role in technologies to improve service quality and data rates for indoor mobile users. It is the recent less expensive concept that provides better indoor coverage. Therefore, handoff process from macrocell to femtocell is an open research issue. In this paper, an adaptive macro/femto handoff scheme is proposed. It takes into consideration the velocity of mobile station, load balancing and the accessing mode of the target cell. It effectively handles the indoor handoff situations by checking user velocity which has to be lower than a threshold value in order to guarantee that this user has a sufficient time to switch from macrocell to femtocell. The proposed scheme aims to achieve load balancing between macrocells and femtocells. It also minimizes the number of femtocells in the neighbor cell list. The target femtocell is predicted based on the direction of the mobile user considering the femtocells accessing mode. Numerical results show that the proposed scheme improves femtocell usage and decreases the handoff latency and the total handoff delay compared to the standard macrocell-to-femtocell handoff process and other existing schemes.
Spatial variation of fundamental constants: Testing models with thermonuclear supernovae
Authors: Negrelli C. , Kraiselburd L. , Landau S. , García-Berro E.
Published: April 2018

Since Dirac stated his Large Number Hypothesis the space-time variation of fundamental constants has been an active subject of research. Here we analyze the possible spatial variation of two fundamental constants: the fine structure constant [Formula: see text] and the speed of light [Formula: see text]. We study the effects of such variations on the luminosity distance and on the peak luminosity of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia). For this, we consider the change of each fundamental constant separately and discuss a dipole model for its variation. Elaborating upon our previous work, we take into account the variation of the peak luminosity of Type Ia supernovae resulting from the variation of each of these fundamental constants. Furthermore, we also include the change of the energy release during the explosion, which was not studied before in the literature. We perform a statistical analysis to compare the predictions of the dipole model for [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] variation with the Union 2.1 and JLA compilations of SNe Ia. Allowing the nuisance parameters of the distance estimator [Formula: see text] and the cosmological density matter [Formula: see text] to vary. As a result of our analysis, we obtain a first estimate of the possible spatial variation of the speed of light [Formula: see text]. On the other hand, we find that there is no significant difference between the several phenomenological models studied here and the standard cosmological model, in which fundamental constants do not vary at all. Thus, we conclude that the actual set of data of Type Ia supernovae does not allow to verify the hypothetical spatial variation of fundamental constants.
Supplying dark energy from scalar field dark matter
Authors: Gogberashvili Merab , Sakharov Alexander
Published: April 2018

We consider the hypothesis that dark matter (DM) and dark energy (DE) consist of ultra-light self-interacting scalar particles. It is found that the Klein–Gordon equation with only two free parameters (mass and self-coupling) on a Schwarzschild background, at the galactic length-scales has the solution which corresponds to Bose–Einstein Condensate (BEC), behaving as DM, while the constant solution at supra-galactic scales can explain DE.
Preformation probability of two-proton emitters
Authors: Sreeja I. , Balasubramaniam M. , Gupta Raj K.
Published: April 2018

Within the cluster-core model picture using the preformed cluster model, proton rich, 2-proton emitting nuclei are studied. The experimentally established [Formula: see text]Fe, [Formula: see text]Ni, [Formula: see text]Zn and [Formula: see text]Kr are investigated in terms of simple potential energy surfaces for all possible cluster plus core configurations of the 2-proton emitting nuclei. The calculated potential energy surfaces reveal a strong minimum for 2-proton-cluster plus core configuration. In addition, the calculations are carried out for the theoretically studied 2-proton emitters such as [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text], which also reveal 2-proton cluster plus core configuration as the favorable one possessing strong minimum in the potential energy surface. Furthermore, the calculated potential energies are used to calculate the preformation probability by solving the stationary Schrödinger equation of motion in mass asymmetry coordinate. The formation yield also clearly reveals a larger formation probability for the 2-proton cluster plus core configuration for all the nuclei studied. The Q-value systematic of 1-proton, 2-proton, 4-proton and 4He is also analyzed.
VEA: Vessel Extraction Algorithm by Active Contour Model and a Novel Wavelet Analyzer for Diabetic Retinopathy Detection
Authors: Ghosh Swarup Kr , Ghosh Anupam , Chakrabarti Amlan
Published: April 2018

The process of retinal vessel segmentation is important for detection of various eye conditions including the effect of diabetes on eyes, or diabetic retinopathy. As we know, the retinal microvasculature is unique since it is the only part of the human circulation system that can be directly and non-evasively visualized in vivo; readily photographed as well as subjected to digital image analysis. This paper explores a new technique for detecting the idiosyncrasies of retina images, for which we have reviewed some well-known image segmentation algorithms that help in detecting retinal abnormalities. In this work, we have also focused on the extraction of the vessel from retina images and developed an automated diagnostic system for diabetic retinopathy. This paper represents techniques, such as the snake model that was used for auto-extraction of retinal blood vessels and use of wavelet decomposition and back propagation neural network to extract the retinal vessels features and analyze the dataset. Finally, an analysis of performance of the vessel segmentation algorithm and wavelet analysis on standard image databases has been done. In this context, we have used F-score for validation of the result.
Microblog Analysis as a Program of Work
Authors: Tolmie Peter , Procter Rob , Rouncefield Mark , Liakata Maria , Zubiaga Arkaitz
Published: April 2018

Inspired by a European project, PHEME, that requires the close analysis of Twitter-based conversations in order to look at the spread of rumors via social media, this article has two objectives. The first of these is to take the analysis of microblogs back to first principles and lay out what microblog analysis should look like as a foundational program of work. The other is to describe how this is of fundamental relevance to human-computer interaction's interest in grasping the constitution of people's interactions with technology within the social order. Our critical finding is that, despite some surface similarities, Twitter-based conversations are a wholly distinct social phenomenon requiring an independent analysis that treats them as unique phenomena in their own right, rather than as another species of conversation that can be handled within the framework of existing conversation analysis. This motivates the argument that microblog analysis be established as a foundationally independent program, examining the organizational characteristics of microblogging from the ground up. We articulate how aspects of this approach have already begun to shape our design activities within the PHEME project.
Inorganic Nanomaterials for Soft Tissue Repair and Regeneration
Authors: Urie Russell , Ghosh Deepanjan , Ridha Inam , Rege Kaushal
Published: April 2018

Inorganic nanomaterials have witnessed significant advances in areas of medicine including cancer therapy, imaging, and drug delivery, but their use in soft tissue repair and regeneration is in its infancy. Metallic, ceramic, and carbon allotrope nanoparticles have shown promise in facilitating tissue repair and regeneration. Inorganic nanomaterials have been employed to improve stem cell engraftment in cellular therapy, material mechanical stability in tissue repair, electrical conductivity in nerve and cardiac regeneration, adhesion strength in tissue approximation, and antibacterial capacity in wound dressings. These nanomaterials have also been used to improve or replace common surgical materials and restore functionality to damaged tissue. We provide a comprehensive overview of inorganic nanomaterials in tissue repair and regeneration, and discuss their promise and limitations for eventual translation to the clinic.
Toward an Integrative Theory of Thalamic Function
Authors: Rikhye Rajeev V. , Wimmer Ralf D. , Halassa Michael M.
Published: April 2018

The thalamus has long been suspected to have an important role in cognition, yet recent theories have favored a more corticocentric view. According to this view, the thalamus is an excitatory feedforward relay to or between cortical regions, and cognitively relevant computations are exclusively cortical. Here, we review anatomical, physiological, and behavioral studies along evolutionary and theoretical dimensions, arguing for essential and unique thalamic computations in cognition. Considering their architectural features as well as their ability to initiate, sustain, and switch cortical activity, thalamic circuits appear uniquely suited for computing contextual signals that rapidly reconfigure task-relevant cortical representations. We introduce a framework that formalizes this notion, show its consistency with several findings, and discuss its prediction of thalamic roles in perceptual inference and behavioral flexibility. Overall, our framework emphasizes an expanded view of the thalamus in cognitive computations and provides a roadmap to test several of its theoretical and experimental predictions.
Separating Myth from Reality: An Analysis of Socially Acceptable Credence Attributes
Authors: Lusk Jayson L.
Published: April 2018

There has been increasing interest in food characteristics that are broadly classified here as socially acceptable credence attributes. This review considers several demand-side issues associated with the economic analysis of these attributes. First, despite ample research and media discussion suggesting strong preference for these food attributes, market shares remain low. Hypothetical bias and social desirability bias likely play a prominent role in explaining this disconnect. There has also been an increase in government and food industry regulation aimed at socially acceptable credence attributes, and this article considers why public votes and policy positions appear discordant with retail shopping behavior. One set of policy proposals involves more information disclosure related to such attributes; however, the welfare economics associated with information provision is not straightforward. While much has been learned about consumers’ stated willingness-to-pay for socially acceptable credence attributes, this review suggests that more research is needed to understand the current environment surrounding these food characteristics.
The Sociology of Refugee Migration
Authors: FitzGerald David Scott , Arar Rawan
Published: April 2018

Theorization in the sociology of migration and the field of refugee studies has been retarded by a path-dependent division that we argue should be broken down by greater mutual engagement. Excavating the construction of the refugee category reveals how unwarranted assumptions shape contemporary disputes about the scale of refugee crises, appropriate policy responses, and suitable research tools. Empirical studies of how violence interacts with economic and other factors shaping mobility offer lessons for both fields. Adapting existing theories that may not appear immediately applicable, such as household economy approaches, helps explain refugees’ decision-making processes. At a macro level, world systems theory sheds light on the interactive policies around refugees across states of origin, mass hosting, asylum, transit, and resettlement. Finally, focusing on the integration of refugees in the Global South reveals a pattern that poses major challenges to theories of assimilation and citizenship developed in settler states of the Global North.
Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Different Land-Use Systems: A Case Study of CO2 in the Southern Zone of Ghana
Authors: MacCarthy Dilys Sefakor , Zougmoré Robert B. , Akponikpè Pierre Bienvenu Irénikatché , Koomson Eric , Savadogo Patrice , Adiku Samuel Godfried Kwasi
Published: April 2018

The emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) results in global warming and climate change. The extent to which developing countries contribute to GHG emissions is not well known. This study reports findings on the effects of different land-use systems on GHG emissions (CO2 in this case) from two locations in the southern zone of Ghana, West Africa. Site one (located at Kpong) contained a heavy clay soil while site two (located at Legon) contained a light-textured sandy soil. Land-use systems include cattle kraals, natural forests, cultivated maize fields, and rice paddy fields at site one, and natural forest, woodlots, and cultivated soya bean fields at site two. CO2 emissions were measured using the gas entrapment method (PVC chambers). Trapping solutions were changed every 12–48 h and measurement lasted 9 to 15 days depending on the site. We found that, for the same land-use, CO2 emissions were higher on the clay soil (Kpong) than the sandy soil (Legon). In the clay soil environment, the highest average CO2 emission was observed from the cattle kraal (256.7 mg·m−2·h−1), followed by the forest (146.0 mg·m−2·h−1) and rice paddy (140.6 mg·m−2·h−1) field. The lowest average emission was observed for maize cropped land (112.0 mg·m−2·h−1). In the sandy soil environment, the highest average CO2 emission was observed from soya cropped land (52.5 mg·m−2·h−1), followed by the forest (47.4 mg·m−2·h−1) and woodlot (33.7 mg·m−2·h−1). Several factors influenced CO2 emissions from the different land-use systems. These include the inherent properties of the soils such as texture, temperature, and moisture content, which influenced CO2 production through their effect on soil microbial activity and root respiration. Practices that reduce CO2 emissions are likely to promote carbon sequestration, which will consequently maintain or increase crop productivity and thereby improve global or regional food security.
The Long-Term Outcome Comparison of Different Time-Delayed Kallikrein Treatments in a Mouse Cerebral Ischemic Model
Authors: Ni Yaohui , Cai Kefu , Hu Yujie , Wang Chuan-hui , Zhang Yuanyuan , Huang Hua , Su Xing , Gu Jin-hua
Published: April 2018

Delayed administration of kallikrein after cerebral infarction can improve neurological function. However, the appropriate kallkrein treatment time after ischemic stroke has not been illuminated. In this study, we compared the long-term outcome among three kallikrein therapeutic regimens starting at different time points following mouse cerebral ischemia. Furthermore, the protective mechanisms involving neurogenesis, angiogenesis, and AKT-GSK3β-VEGF signaling pathway were analyzed. Human tissue kallikrein was injected through the tail vein daily starting at 8 h, 24 h, or 36 h after right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) until the 28th day. Three therapeutic regimens all protected against neurological dysfunction, but kallikrein treatment starting at 8 h after MCAO had the best efficacy. Additionally, kallikrein treatment at 8 h after MCAO significantly enhanced cell proliferation including neural stem cell and induced differentiation of neural stem cell into mature neuron. Kallikrein treatment starting at 8 h also promoted more angiogenesis than other two treatment regimens, which was associated with AKT-GSK3β-VEGF signaling pathway. Thus, we confirm that three delayed kallikrein treatments provide protection against cerebral infarction and furthermore suggest that kallikrein treatment starting at 8 h had a better effect than that at 24 h and 36 h. These findings provide the experimental data contributing to better clinical application of exogenous kallikrein.
The Impact of Urban Transit Systems on Property Values: A Model and Some Evidences from the City of Naples
Authors: Gallo Mariano
Published: April 2018

A hedonic model for estimating the effects of transit systems on real estate values is specified and calibrated for the city of Naples. The model is used to estimate the external benefits concerning property values which may be attributed to the Naples metro at the present time and in two future scenarios. The results show that only high-frequency metro lines have appreciable effects on real estate values, while low-frequency metro lines and bus lines produce no significant impacts. Our results show that the impacts on real estate values of the metro system in Naples are significant, with corresponding external benefits estimated at about 7.2 billion euros or about 8.5% of the total value of real estate assets.
Ensemble Network Architecture for Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Chen Xi-liang , Cao Lei , Li Chen-xi , Xu Zhi-xiong , Lai Jun
Published: April 2018

The popular deepQlearning algorithm is known to be instability because of theQ-value’s shake and overestimation action values under certain conditions. These issues tend to adversely affect their performance. In this paper, we develop the ensemble network architecture for deep reinforcement learning which is based on value function approximation. The temporal ensemble stabilizes the training process by reducing the variance of target approximation error and the ensemble of target values reduces the overestimate and makes better performance by estimating more accurateQ-value. Our results show that this architecture leads to statistically significant better value evaluation and more stable and better performance on several classical control tasks at OpenAI Gym environment.
Comparison of Respiratory Pathogen Detection in Upper versus Lower Respiratory Tract Samples Using the BioFire FilmArray Respiratory Panel in the Immunocompromised Host
Authors: Azadeh Natalya , Sakata Kenneth K. , Saeed Ali , Mullon John J. , Grys Thomas E. , Limper Andrew H. , Binnicker Matthew J.
Published: April 2018

Background. The FilmArray Respiratory Panel (FARP) (BioFire Diagnostics, Inc.) is a multiplex, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique that can detect 17 respiratory viruses and 3 bacterial targets in a single reaction. Immunocompromised hosts (ICH) with respiratory illnesses often undergo bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). This prospective study aimed to evaluate the yield and concordance of NP and BAL FARP testing when performed on the same patient concurrently. Methods. From February to December 2016, 125 patients (100 ICH and 25 non-ICH) were enrolled. NP swabs and BAL samples were sent for FARP testing. Results. The yield of the BAL FARP among ICH and non-ICH was 24% (24/100) and 8% (2/25), respectively. The yield of positive NP swabs in ICH was 27% (27/100) versus 4% (1/25) in non-ICH. The majority of patients (89%; 111/125) had concordant results between NP and BAL specimens. Of the 24 ICH patients who had a positive BAL FARP, the majority (79%) had the same pathogen detected from the NP swab. Conclusion. The FARP may be useful in the ICH. Given the high concordance, in patients whom a pathogen is identified on the NP FARP, a FARP performed on BAL will likely yield the same result. However, if the NP FARP is negative, performing the test on a BAL sample may have an incremental yield.
An Atypical Case of Bartonella henselae Osteomyelitis and Hepatic Disease
Authors: Mathews Dionna M. , Vance Katie M. , McMahon Pamela M. , Boston Catherine , Bolton Michael T.
Published: April 2018

Bartonella henselae is a Gram-negative bacterium and the causative agent of cat scratch disease (CSD). Atypical presentations of B. henselae that involve the musculoskeletal, hepatosplenic, cardiac, or neurologic systems are rare. In this case report, we describe a case of B. henselae osteomyelitis involving bilateral iliac bones complicated by hepatic lesions in a 12-year-old immunocompetent female patient. Although B. henselae is a rare cause of osteomyelitis, it should be considered when patients who present with fever, pain, and lymphadenopathy do not respond to routine osteomyelitis therapy.
Uncoupling Protein 2 and Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ Gene Polymorphisms in Association with Diabetes Susceptibility in Chinese Han Population with Variant Glucose Tolerance
Authors: Zhou Meicen , He Shuli , Ping Fan , Li Wei , Zhu Lixin , Cui Xiangli , Feng Linbo , Zhao Xuefeng , Zhang Huabing , Li Yuxiu , Sun Qi
Published: April 2018

Objective. To investigate the association of polymorphisms in uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARγ) with glucolipid metabolism in Chinese Han population. Methods. Five hundred eighty-nine subjects were divided into normal glucose tolerance (NGT) group (n=198) and abnormal glucose tolerance group (n=358). HbA1c, blood lipid profile, plasma glucose, and insulin were determined. Insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR and Matsuda index (ISIM)) and insulin secretion indexes (HOMA-β, early and total phase disposition index) were evaluated. Eight potential functional SNPs in UCP2 and 7 in PPARγ were selected. SNPs were genotyped on Sequenom MassARRAY platform. Results. The GG genotype of rs2920502 in PPARγ was associated with decreased risk of impaired glucose tolerance (G allele: OR: 0.818, 95%CI: 0.526–0.969, P=0.042; GG: OR: 0.715, 95%CI: 0.527–0.97, P=0.031). The TT genotype of rs3856806 in PPARγ was associated with increased risk of impaired glucose tolerance (T allele: OR: 1.46, 95%CI: 1.055–2.017, P=0.022; TT: OR: 1.58, 95%CI: 1.104–2.761, P=0.032). The GG genotype of rs2920502 in PPARγ had better blood glucose and increased insulin secretion and had lower HOMA-IR than GC/CC genotypes. Conclusion. It probably could prevent insulin resistance in early stage by classifying the genotype of rs649446 and rs7109266 in UCP2. The GG genotype of rs2920502 in PPARγ had a decreased risk for diabetes. The TT genotype of rs3856806 in PPARγ had an increased risk for diabetes.
Spinal Biologics in Minimally Invasive Lumbar Surgery
Authors: Chang Kevin Y. , Hsu Wellington K.
Published: April 2018

As the use of minimally invasive spine (MIS) fusion approaches continues to grow, increased scrutiny is being placed on its outcomes and efficacies against traditional open fusion surgeries. While there are many factors that contribute to the success of achieving spinal arthrodesis, selecting the optimal fusion biologic remains a top priority. With an ever-expanding market of bone graft substitutes, it is important to evaluate each of their use as it pertains to MIS techniques. This review will summarize the important characteristics and properties of various spinal biologics used in minimally invasive lumbar surgeries and compare their fusion rates via a systematic review of published literature.
Maxillary Swing Approach for Removal of Palatal Carcinoma: A Modified Procedure
Authors: Nomura Tsutomu , Kishimoto Megumi , Iwaki Hirohisa , Ochi Atsushi , Kishimoto Seiji
Published: April 2018

Introduction. We report a modification of the maxillary swing approach to remove a palatal tumor while preserving the anterior alveolar area. Methods. Case report using clinical records. Results. The patient was a 54-year-old male. TNM grade was T4bN0M0, and invasion to the base of the pterygoid process was seen. Two courses of induction chemotherapy were administered prior to the operation. Because there was no evidence of anterior maxillary invasion, the maxillary swing approach was chosen. The left anterior maxilla was cut and swung laterally, preserving the blood supply. After removal of the palatal tumor, the maxilla was repositioned and the defect was restored with an anterior lateral thigh flap. Postoperative course was typical, and facial appearance, speech, and masticatory function were satisfactory. Conclusions. This technique is particularly useful for preserving appearance as well as speech and mastication.
Infrared and Visible Image Fusion Combining Interesting Region Detection and Nonsubsampled Contourlet Transform
Authors: He Kangjian , Zhou Dongming , Zhang Xuejie , Nie Rencan
Published: April 2018

The most fundamental purpose of infrared (IR) and visible (VI) image fusion is to integrate the useful information and produce a new image which has higher reliability and understandability for human or computer vision. In order to better preserve the interesting region and its corresponding detail information, a novel multiscale fusion scheme based on interesting region detection is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the MeanShift is used to detect the interesting region with the salient objects and the background region of IR and VI. Then the interesting regions are processed by the guided filter. Next, the nonsubsampled contourlet transform (NSCT) is used for background region decomposition of IR and VI to get a low-frequency and a series of high-frequency layers. An improved weighted average method based on per-pixel weighted average is used to fuse the low-frequency layer. The pulse-coupled neural network (PCNN) is used to fuse each high-frequency layer. Finally, the fused image is obtained by fusing the fused interesting region and the fused background region. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can integrate more background details as well as highlight the interesting region with the salient objects, which is superior to the conventional methods in objective quality evaluations and visual inspection.
Blood Pressure and Haematological Indices in Twelve Communities in Ashanti, Ghana
Authors: Plange-Rhule Jacob , Kerry Sally M. , Eastwood John B. , Micah Frank B. , Antwi Sampson , Cappuccio Francesco P.
Published: April 2018

Hypertension is the most important risk factor for cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in Sub-Saharan Africa. In western populations, high haemoglobin levels are associated with raised BP unlike in Sub-Saharan Africa where there is a paucity of data. Our study examines the association between haematological indices with BP variables. Weight, height, BP, and whole blood indices of viscosity (Hb, haematocrit, RBC count, and MCV) were measured in 921 adults (340 men, 581 women; aged 40–75) in 12 communities in Ghana. Mean values for Hb (12.3 g/dl ± 1.7 SD), haematocrit (36.7%±5.2), RBC (4.10 million/μL ± 0.64), and MCV were lower than reference values used in Sub-Saharan Africa. Mean BMI was 21.1±4.1 indicating a lean population. Systolic BP increased by 1.0 mmHg (95% CI 0.5–1.5), p<0.001, for women and 0.5 (0.1–1.0), p=0.027, for men per unit increase in haematocrit. Similar relationships were found for Hb and RBC but not for MCV or platelets. The relationships were weaker when adjusted for BMI, 0.7 mmHg (0.2–1.2) in women and 0.5 (0.0–1.0) in men. Findings for diastolic BP were similar. Overall haematological indices were low. We have found a significant, positive relationship between BP, Hb, Haematocrit, and RBC count in our population.
Simulation and Visualization of Flows Laden with Cylindrical Nanoparticles in a Mixing Layer
Authors: Lin Wenqian , Zhang Peijie
Published: April 2018

The motion of cylindrical particles in a mixing layer is studied using the pseudospectral method and discrete particle model. The effect of the Stokes number and particle aspect ratio on the mixing and orientation distribution of cylindrical particles is analyzed. The results show that the rollup of mixing layer drives the particles to the edge of the vortex by centrifugal force. The cylindrical particles with the small Stokes number almost follow fluid streamlines and are mixed thoroughly, while those with the large Stokes number, centrifugalized and accumulated at the edge of the vortex, are poorly mixed. The mixing degree of particles becomes worse as the particle aspect ratio increases. The cylindrical particles would change their orientation under two torques and rotate around their axis of revolution aligned to the vorticity direction when the shear rate is low, while aligning on the flow-gradient plane beyond a critical shear rate value. More particles are oriented with the flow direction, and this phenomenon becomes more obvious with the decrease of the Stokes number and particle aspect ratio.