bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk for interspecies transmission of zoonotic pathogens during poultry processing and pork production in Peru: A qualitative study
Authors: Carnero A. M. , Kitayama K. , Diaz D. A. , Garvich M. , Angulo N. , Cama V. A. , Gilman R. H. , Bayer A. M.
Published: March 2018

Interspecies transmission of pathogens is an unfrequent but naturally occurring event and human activities may favour opportunities not previously reported. Reassortment of zoonotic pathogens like influenza A virus can result from these activities. Recently, swine and birds have played a central role as “mixing vessels” for epidemic and pandemic events related to strains like H1N1 and H5N1. Unsafe practices in poultry markets and swine farms can lead to interspecies transmission, favouring the emergence of novel strains. Thus, understanding practices that lead to interspecies interactions is crucial. This qualitative study aimed to evaluate poultry processing practices in formal and informal markets and the use of leftovers by swine farmers in three Peruvian cities: Lima (capital), Tumbes (coastal) and Tarapoto (jungle). We conducted 80 direct observations at formal and informal markets and interviewed 15 swine farmers. Processors slaughter and pluck chickens and vendors and/or processors eviscerate chickens. Food safety and hygiene practices were suboptimal or absent, although some heterogeneity was observed between cities and chicken vendors versus processors. Both vendors (76%) and processors (100%) sold the chicken viscera leftovers to swine farmers, representing the main source of chicken viscera for swine farms (53%). Swine farmers fed the chicken viscera to their swine. Chicken viscera cooking times varied widely and were insufficient in some cases. Non‐abattoired poultry leads to the sale of poultry leftovers to small‐scale swine farms, resulting in indirect but frequent interspecies contacts that can lead to interspecies transmission of bacterial pathogens or the reassortment of influenza A viruses. These interactions are exacerbated by suboptimal safety and hygiene conditions. People involved in these activities constitute an at‐risk population who could play a central role in preventing the transmission of pathogens between species. Educational interventions on hygiene and food safety practices will be important for reducing the risk of interspecies influenza transmission.
Gender Interview on Functional Design, Hedonist, Symbolic Benefits for Motorcycle Buying Decision
Authors: Krisnanto Umbas , Utami Widya Riani
Published: March 2018

Automatic motorcycle purchases increase over time. The purpose of research to determine the cause of consumers buy automatic gear motorcycle (matic) whether because of price, design, or benefits (functional, hedonic, symbolic). To lead consumers more focused, conducted qualitative research using interviews to matic owners in 4 large cities are evenly distributed between male and female motorcycle buyers. The result is all respondents interviewed buy matic because of design. Functional benefits had already in accordance with manufacturer specified, hedonic benefits because it looks sporty, symbolic benefits because it comes with gender colors. Interesting designs make motorcycle owners buy without looking at prices as the main reference. Implications for management to produce matic many variants that buyers got more choice.
Comparison between thaw-mounting and use of conductive tape for sample preparation in ToF-SIMS imaging of lipids in Drosophila microRNA-14 model
Authors: Le Minh Uyen Thi , Son Jin Gyeong , Shon Hyun Kyoung , Park Jeong Hyang , Lee Sung Bae , Lee Tae Geol
Published: March 2018

Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) imaging elucidates molecular distributions in tissue sections, providing useful information about the metabolic pathways linked to diseases. However, delocalization of the analytes and inadequate tissue adherence during sample preparation are among some of the unfortunate phenomena associated with this technique due to their role in the reduction of the quality, reliability, and spatial resolution of the ToF-SIMS images. For these reasons, ToF-SIMS imaging requires a more rigorous sample preparation method in order to preserve the natural state of the tissues. The traditional thaw-mounting method is particularly vulnerable to altered distributions of the analytes due to thermal effects, as well as to tissue shrinkage. In the present study, the authors made comparisons of different tissue mounting methods, including the thaw-mounting method. The authors used conductive tape as the tissue-mounting material on the substrate because it does not require heat from the finger for the tissue section to adhere to the substrate and can reduce charge accumulation during data acquisition. With the conductive-tape sampling method, they were able to acquire reproducible tissue sections and high-quality images without redistribution of the molecules. Also, the authors were successful in preserving the natural states and chemical distributions of the different components of fat metabolites such as diacylglycerol and fatty acids by using the tape-supported sampling in microRNA-14 (miR-14) deleted Drosophila models. The method highlighted here shows an improvement in the accuracy of mass spectrometric imaging of tissue samples.
Deconstructing Pneumococcal Progression from Colonization to Disease
Authors: Pelton Stephen I.
Published: March 2018

Despite advances in treatment and prevention, the pneumococcus continues to be a dominant cause of severe pneumonia and sepsis and of otitis media, sinusitis, and nonbacteremic pneumonia. Lewnard and colleagues (Infect Immun 86:e00727-17, 2018,
https://doi.org/10.1128/IAI.00727-17
) used a unique data set of nasopharyngeal and middle ear fluid samples to provide further insight into the progression of nasopharyngeal pneumococcal colonization to disease. They report the comparative rate of progression from colonization to otitis media by serotype, providing insight into how conjugate vaccines that do not reduce the overall prevalence of pneumococci in the nasopharynx dramatically impact the incidence of acute and complex otitis media.
Comparison of Manual and Fully Automated AIX1000 Rapid Plasma Reagin Assays for Laboratory Diagnosis of Syphilis
Authors: Sanfilippo Alan M. , Freeman Kristie , Schmitz John L.
Published: March 2018

The analytical performance of the AIX1000 system, a fully automated and recently FDA-cleared rapid plasma reagin (RPR) system, was evaluated by comparison to a manual RPR test in a traditional syphilis testing algorithm. A total of 1,028 consecutive serum samples submitted for syphilis testing to the University of North Carolina Hospitals Clinical Immunology Laboratory were tested per each manufacturer's instructions.
Immediate Effect of Scalp Acupuncture on the Gait of Patients with Subacute Intracerebral Haemorrhage Analysed by Three-Dimensional Motion: Secondary Analysis of a Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Wang Hai-Qiao , Dong Gui-Rong , Bao Chun-Ling , Jiao Zhi-Hua
Published: March 2018

Objective

To investigate the immediate effect of scalp acupuncture on walking pattern, using three-dimensional gait analysis (3D-GA), among patients in the subacute stage of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH).

Methods

A subset of 30 patients with subacute ICH participating in a recently published randomised controlled trial who were able to walk independently were assessed by 3D-GA before and immediately after scalp acupuncture treatment (treatment group) or no intervention (control group) and the results presented here as a secondary analysis. The acupuncture manipulation was repeated three times with an interval of 5 min. Spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters during walking were collected and analysed using a 3D motion analysis system.

Results

After treatment, there were significant differences between the treatment and control groups in the spatiotemporal parameters of step length, velocity and cadence (p<0.05) and double-limb support. No significant difference was found in step width. When kinematic parameters were evaluated, the treatment group showed a significantly decreased peak pelvic anterior tilt angle and an increased hip extension angle after scalp acupuncture treatment, whereas the control group demonstrated no temporal changes. There were no significant changes in any other kinematic parameters in either group.

Conclusions

As the first exploratory study to investigate the effect of the scalp acupuncture on gait performance in patients with subacute ICH, this secondary analysis of a recent randomised trial suggested an immediate effect of treatment on spatiotemporal parameters. Improvement in gait pattern may be associated with a decreased anterior tilt of the pelvis and augmented hip joint motion during walking.

Trial Registration Number

ChiCTR-TRC-08000225; Post-results.
Distribution and predictors of hospital charges for haemorrhagic stroke patients in Beijing, China, March 2012 to February 2015: a retrospective study
Authors: Liu Xiaole , Kong Dehui , Lian Hui , Zhao Xiaoyi , Zhao Yakun , Xu Qun , Peng Bin , Wang Haitao , Fang Quan , Zhang Shuyang , Jin Xiaofeng , Cheng Kang’an , Fan Zhongjie
Published: March 2018

Objectives

The purpose of this study is to analyse hospital charges for patients with haemorrhagic stroke in China and investigate potential factors associated with inpatient charges.

Methods

The study participants were in-hospital patients with a primary diagnosis of haemorrhagic stroke from all the secondary and tertiary hospitals in Beijing during the period from 1 March 2012 to 28 February 2015. Distribution characteristics of detailed hospital charges were analysed. The influence of potential factors on hospital charges was researched using a stepwise multiple regression model.

Results

A total of 34 890 patients with haemorrhagic stroke of mean age 61.19±14.37 years were included in the study, of which 37.2% were female. Median length of hospital stay (LOHS) was 15 days (IQR 9–23) and median hospital cost was 18 577 Chinese yuan (CNY) (IQR 10 442–39 784). The hospital costs for patients in Western medicine hospitals (median 19 651 CNY) were significantly higher (P<0.01) than those in traditional Chinese medicine hospitals (median 14 560 CNY), and were significantly higher (P<0.01) for Level 3 hospitals (median 20 029 CNY) than for Level 2 hospitals (median 16 095 CNY). The proportion of medicine fees and bed fees within total hospital charges showed a decreasing trend during the study period. With stepwise multiple regression, the major factors associated with hospital charges were LOHS, surgery, pulmonary infection, ventilator usage, hospital level, occupation, hyperlipidaemia, hospital type, in-hospital death, sex and age.

Conclusion

We conclude that medicines form the largest part of hospital charges but are showing a decreasing trend, and LOHS is strongly associated with patient charges for haemorrhagic stroke in China. This implies that the cost structure is very unreasonable in China and medical technology costs fail to be fully manifested. A reasonable decrease in medicine charges and shortening LOHS may be effective ways to reduce hospital charges.
Dementia and vagotomy in Taiwan: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Lin Shih-Yi , Lin Cheng-Li , Wang I-Kuan , Lin Cheng-Chieh , Lin Chih-Hsueh , Hsu Wu-Huei , Kao Chia-Hung
Published: March 2018

Objective

Truncal vagotomy is associated with a decreased risk of subsequent Parkinson disease (PD), although the effect of vagotomy on dementia is unclear. In response, we investigated the risk of dementia in patients who underwent vagotomy.

Setting

Population-based cohort study.

Participants

A total of 155 944 patients who underwent vagotomy (vagotomy cohort) and 155 944 age-matched, sex-matched and comorbidity-matched controls (non-vagotomy cohort) were identified between 2000 and 2011.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

All patient data were tracked until the diagnosis of dementia, death or the end of 2011. The cumulative incidence of subsequent dementia and HRs were calculated.

Results

The mean ages of the study patients in the vagotomy and non-vagotomy cohorts were 56.6±17.4 and 56.7±17.3 years, respectively. The overall incidence density rate for dementia was similar in the vagotomy and non-vagotomy cohorts (2.43 and 2.84 per 1000 person-years, respectively). After adjustment for age, sex and comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, stroke, depression, coronary artery disease and PD, the patients in the vagotomy cohort were determined to not be at a higher risk of dementia than those in the non-vagotomy cohort (adjusted HR=1.09, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.36). Moreover, the patients who underwent truncal vagotomy were not associated with risk of dementia (adjusted HR=1.04, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.25), compared with the patients who did not undergo vagotomy.

Conclusion

Vagotomy, either truncal or selective, is not associated with risk of dementia.
Impact of gestational weight gain and prepregnancy body mass index on the prevalence of large-for-gestational age infants in two cohorts of women with type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes: a cross-sectional population study
Authors: McWhorter Ketrell L , Bowers Katherine , Dolan Lawrence M , Deka Ranjan , Jackson Chandra L , Khoury Jane C
Published: March 2018

Objectives

Despite improvements in treatment modalities, large-for-gestational age (LGA) prevalence has remained between 30% and 40% among infants of mothers with type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (TIDM). Our objective was to estimate LGA prevalence and examine the association between gestational weight gain (GWG) and prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) with LGA among mothers with TIDM.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Regional data in Cincinnati, Ohio, from the Diabetes in Pregnancy Program Project (PPG), a prospective cohort for the period 1978–1993; national data from Consortium on Safe Labor (CSL), a multicentre cross-sectional study for the period 2002–2008.

Participants

The study included 333 pregnancies in the PPG and 358 pregnancies in the CSL. Pregnancies delivered prior to 23 weeks’ gestation were excluded. Women with TIDM in the PPG were identified according to physician confirmation of ketoacidosis, and/or c-peptide levels, and by International Classification of Diseases, ninth version codes within the CSL. LGA was identified as birth weight >90th percentile according to gestational age, race and sex.

Main outcome measures

LGA at birth.

Results

Mean±SD maternal age at delivery was 26.4±5.1 years for PPG women and 27.5±6.0 years for CSL women, p=0.008. LGA prevalence did not significantly differ between cohorts (PPG: 40.2% vs CSL: 36.6%, p=0.32). More women began pregnancy as overweight in the later cohort (PPG (16.8%) vs CSL (27.1%), p<0.001). GWG exceeding Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines was higher in the later CSL (56.2%) vs PPG (42.3%) cohort, p<0.001. Normal-weight women with GWG within IOM guidelines had a lower LGA prevalence in CSL (PPG: 30.6% vs CSL: 13.7%), p=0.001.

Conclusions

Normal-weight women with GWG within IOM guidelines experienced a lower LGA prevalence, supporting the importance of adherence to IOM guidelines for GWG to reduce LGA. High BMI and GWG may be hindering a reduction in LGA prevalence.
Acupuncture for constipation in patients with stroke: protocol of a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhai Jingbo , Mu Wei , Si Jinhua , Li Yan , Zhao Chen , Shang Hongcai , Li Huanan , Tian Guihua
Published: March 2018

Introduction

Constipation is one of the most common complications in patients with stroke. Acupuncture has gained increased popularity for the management of constipation. However, there is a lack of supportive evidence on the efficacy of acupuncture for poststroke constipation. This systematic review aims to collect and critically appraise all the available evidence about the efficacy and safety of the acupuncture for constipation in poststroke patients.

Methods and analysis

A comprehensive search of Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, four Chinese databases (National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Biomedical Literatures database (CBM), Wanfang Digital Periodicals (WANFANG) and Chinese Science and Technology Periodicals (VIP) database), one Japanese medical database (National Institute of Informatics, CiNii) and one Korean medical database (Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, OASIS) will be conducted to identify randomised controlled trials of acupuncture for constipation in poststroke patients. There is no restriction on language or publication status. The primary outcome measure will be frequency of bowel movement. The risk of bias will be assessed using the approach recommended by Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. We will conduct the meta-analysis to synthesise the evidence for each outcome, if possible. The heterogeneity will be statistically assessed using a χ2test and I2statistic. This protocol is developed following the guideline of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Protocols 2015.

Ethics and dissemination

The ethical approval is not required because no primary data are collected. The findings will be presented at scientific conferences or a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42017076880.
Urban–rural differences in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus among 25–74 year-old adults of the Yangon Region, Myanmar: two cross-sectional studies
Authors: Aung Wai Phyo , Htet Aung Soe , Bjertness Espen , Stigum Hein , Chongsuvivatwong Virasakdi , Kjøllesdal Marte Karoline Råberg
Published: March 2018

Objectives

To investigate the association between urban–rural location and the occurrence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in the Yangon Region, and to estimate the proportion of urban and rural participants already diagnosed with DM, and of those, the proportion under treatment and under control.

Design

Two cross-sectional studies, using the WHO STEPs methodology.

Setting

The Yangon Region of Myanmar, urban and rural areas.

Participants

Men and women, aged 25–74 years, included during the study period from September–November 2013 (urban) and 2014 (rural areas) (n=1372). Institutionalised people, physically and mentally ill person, monks and nuns were excluded.

Results

The age-standardised prevalence of DM was 12.1% in urban and 7.1% in rural areas (p=0.039). In urban areas, the prevalence of DM was lowest in the highest educational groups (p<0.001). There were no differences in DM prevalence between gender or income levels. In rural areas, those who were physically inactive had a low intake of fruit and vegetable and were overweight/obese had a higher DM prevalence than others. In a logistic regression, the OR for DM in rural compared with urban areas was 0.38 (0.22, 0.65), adjusted for sociodemographic variables and behavioural risk factors. In urban areas, 43.1% of participants had the experience of receiving blood glucose measurements by a doctor or health worker, and 61.5% of all cases of DM were already diagnosed, 78.7% were under treatment and 45.8% were under control. The corresponding proportions in rural areas were 26.4%, 52.4%, 78.1% and 32.0%, respectively.

Conclusion

The prevalence of DM in the Yangon Region was high, and significantly higher in urban than in rural areas. More health services are needed to serve this population with a large proportion of undiagnosed diabetes. Preventive measures to halt and reduce the prevalence of DM are urgently needed.
Prevalence of childhood hearing impairment of different severities in urban and rural areas: a nationwide population-based study in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Cheng-Yu , Tseng Yen-Cheng , Guo How-Ran , Lai Der-Chung
Published: March 2018

Objective

Childhood hearing impairment (CHI) is a major developmental disability, but data at the national level are limited, especially those on different severities. We conducted a study to fill this data gap.

Design

A nationwide study on the basis of a reporting system.

Setting

To provide services to disabled citizens, the Taiwanese government maintains a registry of certified cases. Using data from this registry, we estimated prevalence rates of CHI of different severities from 2004 to 2010 and made comparisons between urban and rural areas.

Participants

Taiwanese citizens ≤17 years old.

Primary outcome measures

To qualify for CHI disability benefits, a child must have an unaided pure-tone better ear hearing level at 0.5, 1 and 2 kHz with an average ≥55 decibels (dB), confirmed by an otolaryngologist. The severity was classified by pure-tone better ear hearing level as mild (55–69 dB), moderate (70–89 dB) and severe (≥90 dB).

Results

The registered cases under 17 years old decreased annually from 4075 in 2004 to 3533 in 2010, but changes in the prevalence rate were small, ranging from 7.62/10 000 in 2004 to 7.91/10 000 in 2006. The prevalence rates of mild CHI increased in all areas over time, but not those of moderate or severe CHI. Rural areas had higher overall prevalence rates than urban areas in all years, with rate ratios (RRs) between 1.01 and 1.09. By severity, rural areas had higher prevalence rates of mild (RRs between 1.08 and 1.25) and moderate (RRs between 1.06 and 1.21) CHI but had lower prevalence rates of severe CHI (RRs between 0.92 and 0.99).

Conclusion

While rural areas had higher overall prevalence rates of CHI than urban areas, the RRs decreased with CHI severity. Further studies that identify factors affecting the rural–urban difference might help the prevention of CHI.
Disease-modifying drugs for multiple sclerosis and infection risk: a cohort study
Authors: Wijnands José Maria Andreas , Zhu Feng , Kingwell Elaine , Fisk John David , Evans Charity , Marrie Ruth Ann , Zhao Yinshan , Tremlett Helen
Published: March 2018

Objective

Little is known about disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) for multiple sclerosis (MS) and infection risk in clinical practice. We examined the association between DMTs and infection-related medical encounters.

Methods

Using population-based administrative data from British Columbia, Canada, we identified MS cases and followed them from their first demyelinating event (1996–2013) until emigration, death or study end (December 2013). Associations between DMT exposure (by DMT generation or class) and infection-related physician or hospital claims were assessed using recurrent time-to-events models, adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomic status, index year and comorbidity count. Results were reported as adjusted HRs (aHRs).

Results

Of 6793 MS cases, followed for 8.5 years (mean), 1716 (25.3%) were DMT exposed. Relative to no DMT, exposure to any first-generation DMT (beta-interferon or glatiramer acetate) was not associated with infection-related physician claims (aHR: 0.96; 95% CI 0.89 to 1.02), nor was exposure to these drug classes when assessed separately. Exposure to any second-generation DMT (oral DMT or natalizumab) was associated with an increased hazard of an infection-related physician claim (aHR: 1.47; 95% CI 1.16 to 1.85); when assessed individually, the association was significant for natalizumab (aHR: 1.59; 95% CI 1.19 to 2.11) but not the oral DMTs (aHR: 1.17; 95% CI 0.88 to 1.56). While no DMTs were associated with infection-related hospital claims, these hospitalisations were also uncommon.

Conclusion

Exposure to first-generation DMTs was not associated with an altered infection risk. However, exposure to the second-generation DMTs was, with natalizumab associated with a 59% increased risk of an infection-related physician claim. Continued pharmacovigilance is warranted, including an investigation of the DMT-associated infection burden on patient outcomes.
Survival rate and predictors of mortality in patients hospitalised with heart failure: a cohort study on the data of Persian registry of cardiovascular disease (PROVE)
Authors: Givi Mahshid , Shafie Davood , Nouri Fatemeh , Garakyaraghi Mohammad , Yadegarfar Ghasem , Sarrafzadegan Nizal
Published: March 2018

Objectives

Heart failure (HF) has a high rate of hospitalisation and mortality. We examined its risk factors, survival rate and the predictors.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, demographic, clinical and treatment data of 1223 patients hospitalised with HF were extracted from the Persian Registry Of cardio Vascular diseasE (PROVE)/HF registry. Survival rate and HR and their association with other variables were assessed.

Results

835 (68.3%) were censored, while 388 (31.7%) patients were deceased. Mean age and frequency of hypotension during hospitalisation, tachycardia, pulmonary hypertension and anaemia, hyponatremia, heart valve disease and renal disease of the deceased patients was significantly higher than censored patients (15.2vs6.1%, 51.1vs40.1%, 24.4vs16.7%, 39.0vs31.8%, respectively, p<0.05). ACE inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) (89.8%vs82.1%, respectively) and beta blocker (BB) (81.1%vs75.5%, respectively) were higher in follow–up in the censored group (p<0.001 and 0.02, respectively). Crude Cox regression analysis identified age, tachycardia, hypotension, anaemia, pulmonary hypertension and heart valve disease as predictors of mortality (HR >1) and using ACEI/ARB and BB as predictors of life (HR <1, p<0.05). After adjustment, all variables lost their significance, except BB (HR 0.63, p=0.03) and tachycardia (HR 1.74, p=0.01) and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV (HR 1.90, p=0.04) became significant predictors.

Conclusions

We found a high mortality rate (31.7%). As NYHA class IV and tachycardia were significant predictors of mortality after adjustment, an effective measure can be treatment of underlying diseases, which deteriorate patients’ conditions. Monitoring of medications for at–risk group, especially BB that predicts life, is important.
Acceleration amplification due to rotational components of near-fault earthquakes in triple concave friction pendulum base-isolated structures
Authors: Tajammolian Hamed , Khoshnoudian Faramarz
Published: March 2018

Recent studies show that rotational components of earthquakes can amplify the floor acceleration in a base-isolated structure. As a result, the seismic force of nonstructural components could be significantly increased. In this paper, a simple rectangular deck with various geometrical properties mounted on triple concave friction pendulum (TCFP) bearings is examined. At first a set of three translational components from 25 near-fault ground motion records are considered. Then, three rotational components, i.e., torsional and two rocking motions are computed for each earthquake. The results of nonlinear dynamic analysis in a rectangular structure with an aspect ratio in plan equal to 3, demonstrate that the acceleration approximately intensifies 3.4 times in presence of all six ground motion components compared to three translational ones. Finally, a new formula is proposed to determine the maximum acceleration of base-isolated structure without performing the dynamic analysis due to rotational components of ground motions.
Improving the Quality of Controlled Experiments in Software Engineering
Authors: Teixeira Eudis
Published: March 2018

All experimental studies are prone to risk with regard to the validity of their results. After applying a determined action to control a threat, during planning or executing an experiment, new risks to the study validity can arise. Aim. To improve the quality of controlled experiments in Software Engineering (SE), setting out strategies that permit researchers giving priority to specific threats in causes virtue and consequences (trade-offs), which exist between threats to validity and possible measures for control. Method. We will employ a knowledge base acquired through a survey and a Systematic Literature Review to model an approach for prioritizing and controlling threats to validity. The proposed approach will also be evaluated through experiments. Contribution. To improve the control processes for threats to validity considered to be critical, reducing efforts required by researchers, thereby improving the quality of future controlled experiments in the Software Engineering area by increasing its results? validity.
Stakeholder Concern-Driven Requirements Analytics
Authors: Noorwali Ibtehal
Published: March 2018

The requirements engineering (RE) process and resultant requirements usually inform and interact with downstream (e.g., design and testing) and side-stream (e.g., project management, quality management) processes in various ways. Each of these processes involves numerous internal stakeholders (e.g., managers, developers, architects, etc.) who, in turn, have different concerns with regard to the impact of requirements on their respective processes. In other words, the various stakeholders need different types of requirements information and measurements in order for them to manage, control, and track their respective process activities (e.g., design traceability information for architects, requirements progress for project managers, etc.). The burden of providing this information usually falls within the realm of the requirements management process. However, due to the lack of identified metrics and analytical methods, the process of providing the various stakeholders with the information that addresses their various concerns becomes cumbersome. This is further complicated by large project sizes, numerous stakeholders, time pressure, large numbers of requirements, other software artifacts, and others. This proposal aims to address this problem by proposing to provide stakeholders with concern-driven requirements analytics that will address their various concerns. We intend to achieve this through identifying metrics and analytical methods that can be readily used in the requirements management process. We further propose to provide the stakeholder with a dashboard that allows them to choose from the various requirements analytics options along with visualization techniques that would best visualize the data and address their concerns.
A Project Management Framework for Global Software Development
Authors: Jain Ritu , Suman Ugrasen
Published: March 2018

Global software development (GSD) is a prevalent trend which has fascinated most software companies. However, the failure rate of GSD projects reveals the fact that these types of projects are not an easy endeavor. Management of GSD project is a domain where standards are still lacking and companies are still struggling to acquire a win-win situation. Project management body of knowledge (PMBOK) provides a standard framework for managing projects. However, the framework does not consider the aspects of GSD. Thus, it can't be applied directly for GSD projects. In this paper, we have proposed a project management framework for GSD projects. This framework assimilates the knowledge areas of PMBOK with knowledge areas needed for effective management of GSD. It would guide GSD project manager about the aspects to be considered while executing distributed projects. This framework would also act as a baseline to researchers for further investigation in GSD project management domain.
Transformation of Alloy Notation into a Semantic Notation
Authors: Dwivedi Ashish Kumar , Rath Santanu Kumar
Published: March 2018

Transformation of a model based on first-order logic to a model that provides semantic notations is helpful necessary during the analysis phase of any proposed software. The semantic notations often guide the designer to develop pseudocode correctly. This study focuses on facilitation of transformation of one formal model, i.e., Alloy into another, i.e., OWL. The proposed approach extends the concept of existing techniques i.e., UML2Alloy and TwoUse to transform Alloy model into OWL. UML2Alloy transforms UML model into Alloy model, whereas TwoUse approach bridges the gap between UML model and OWL model. Alloy2OWL is based on metamodel-based transformation techniques, which help to map source model, i.e., Alloy into target model, i.e., OWL. For the proper explanation of this study, a model transformation framework is presented, which can be applied to other transformation languages. The proposed approach utilizes the Model-Driven Development techniques to deal with the analysis of Alloy model and determines design problems within a specification. In this paper, various challenges are also presented which occur during the transformation of Alloy to OWL.
Wavelet decomposition analysis is a clinically relevant strategy to evaluate cerebrovascular buffering of blood pressure after spinal cord injury
Authors: Saleem Saqib , Vucina Diana , Sarafis Zoe , Lee Amanda H. X. , Squair Jordan W. , Barak Otto F. , Coombs Geoff B. , Mijacika Tanja , Krassioukov Andrei V. , Ainslie Philip N. , Dujic Zeljko , Tzeng Yu-Chieh , Phillips Aaron A.
Published: March 2018

The capacity of the cerebrovasculature to buffer changes in blood pressure (BP) is crucial to prevent stroke, the incidence of which is three- to fourfold elevated after spinal cord injury (SCI). Disruption of descending sympathetic pathways within the spinal cord due to cervical SCI may result in impaired cerebrovascular buffering. Only linear analyses of cerebrovascular buffering of BP, such as transfer function, have been used in SCI research. This approach does not account for inherent nonlinearity and nonstationarity components of cerebrovascular regulation, often depends on perturbations of BP to increase the statistical power, and does not account for the influence of arterial CO2 tension. Here, we used a nonlinear and nonstationary analysis approach termed wavelet decomposition analysis (WDA), which recently identified novel sympathetic influences on cerebrovascular buffering of BP occurring in the ultra-low-frequency range (ULF; 0.02–0.03Hz). WDA does not require BP perturbations and can account for influences of CO2 tension. Supine resting beat-by-beat BP (Finometer), middle cerebral artery blood velocity (transcranial Doppler), and end-tidal CO2 tension were recorded in cervical SCI ( n = 14) and uninjured ( n = 16) individuals. WDA revealed that cerebral blood flow more closely follows changes in BP in the ULF range ( P = 0.0021, Cohen’s d = 0.89), which may be interpreted as an impairment in cerebrovascular buffering of BP. This persisted after accounting for CO2. Transfer function metrics were not different in the ULF range, but phase was reduced at 0.07–0.2 Hz ( P = 0.03, Cohen’s d = 0.31). Sympathetically mediated cerebrovascular buffering of BP is impaired after SCI, and WDA is a powerful strategy for evaluating cerebrovascular buffering in clinical populations.
Bilirubin acts as a multipotent guardian of cardiovascular integrity: more than just a radical idea
Authors: Bulmer Andrew C. , Bakrania Bhavisha , Du Toit Eugene F. , Boon Ai-Ching , Clark Paul J. , Powell Lawrie W. , Wagner Karl-Heinz , Headrick John P.
Published: March 2018

Bilirubin, a potentially toxic catabolite of heme and indicator of hepatobiliary insufficiency, exhibits potent cardiac and vascular protective properties. Individuals with Gilbert’s syndrome (GS) may experience hyperbilirubinemia in response to stressors including reduced hepatic bilirubin excretion/increased red blood cell breakdown, with individuals usually informed by their clinician that their condition is of little consequence. However, GS appears to protect from all-cause mortality, with progressively elevated total bilirubin associated with protection from ischemic heart and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Bilirubin may protect against these diseases and associated mortality by reducing circulating cholesterol, oxidative lipid/protein modifications, and blood pressure. In addition, bilirubin inhibits platelet activation and protects the heart from ischemia-reperfusion injury. These effects attenuate multiple stages of the atherosclerotic process in addition to protecting the heart during resultant ischemic stress, likely underpinning the profound reduction in cardiovascular mortality in hyperbilirubinemic GS. This review outlines our current knowledge of and uses for bilirubin in clinical medicine and summarizes recent progress in revealing the physiological importance of this poorly understood molecule. We believe that this review will be of significant interest to clinicians, medical researchers, and individuals who have GS.
The role of leadership in place-based development and building institutional arrangements
Authors: Horlings LG , Roep D , Wellbrock W
Published: March 2018

In various case studies across Europe the vital role of rural place leadership in enabling a place-based approach to local and regional development has been highlighted, although not always explicitly addressed as such. This paper aims to do so by reviewing the findings from a selection of earlier research projects within a framework of the role of rural leadership in place-based development. Building on the increasing body of literature on place leadership, the review reveals how place leadership in rural areas is performed by varied public, private and civic actors; is able to bridge vested stakes and make new connections; is supportive to joint learning and innovation and an increasing range of bottom-up grassroots initiatives. Effective rural place leadership initiates joint reflection and enforces a collaborative spirit resulting in an expanding spiral of new alliances and new (institutional) arrangements. This underpins the importance of rural place leadership in building collective agency and its capacity to better attune the institutional setting to the specificities of place and thus enhance place-based development.
Swimming for dementia: An exploratory qualitative study: Innovative practice
Authors: Hobden Tanya , Swallow Mary , Beer Charlotte , Dening Tom
Published: March 2018

Swimming is a non-weight bearing form of exercise that can be enjoyable and promote physical fitness. This qualitative study investigated a local group established as part of a national dementia swimming initiative. Semi-structured interviews with people with dementia (N = 4), carers or companions (N = 4) and the organisers and facilitators of the group (N = 6) were analysed using thematic analysis. This revealed four main themes: (1) the pleasure of swimming and its benefits as a form of exercise and for building confidence and empowering participants, (2) the importance of insight and empathy in creating a safe and secure experience, (3) the impact of dementia and (4) how participants valued being part of a group ‘all in the same boat’. ‘Dementia friendly swimming’ appears to be a valuable form of exercise, but it requires considerable preparation and support to make it happen.
Local Cortisol Elevation Contributes to Endometrial Insulin Resistance in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Qi Jia , Wang Wangsheng , Zhu Qinling , He Yaqiong , Lu Yao , Wang Yuan , Li Xiaoxue , Chen Zi-jiang , Sun Yun
Published: March 2018

Context

Endometrial insulin resistance (IR) may account for the endometrial dysfunction in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated.

Objective

To investigate whether the abundance of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (11β-HSDs) 1 and 2 and cortisol as well as the insulin signaling pathway are altered in PCOS endometrium and to clarify the relationship between endometrial IR and local cortisol.

Design

We measured cortisol and cortisone concentrations, 11β-HSD1 and 11β-HSD2, and core insulin signaling molecules in endometrial biopsies collected from non-PCOS and PCOS with or without IR patients on the seventh day after human chorionic gonadotropin injection. We also studied the effects of cortisol on glucose uptake and the insulin signaling pathway in primary cultured endometrial epithelial cells (EECs).

Results

The cortisol concentration was elevated, whereas 11β-HSD2 expression was diminished in endometrial biopsies obtained from PCOS with IR patients compared with those from non-PCOS and PCOS without IR patients. The implantation rate was relatively impaired and the endometrial insulin signaling pathway was defective in PCOS with IR patients. In addition, cortisol attenuated insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in EECs, which was mediated by inhibition of Akt phosphorylation and glucose transporter type 4 translocation via induction of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN).

Conclusions

Decreased oxidation of cortisol and defects of insulin signaling in endometrium were observed in PCOS with IR patients. The excessive cortisol level, derived from the reduction of 11β-HSD2, might contribute to the development of endometrial IR by inhibiting the insulin signaling pathway via induction of PTEN expression in EECs.
45,X/46,XY Mosaicism Presenting With Isolated Unilateral Cryptorchidism and a Normal Blood Karyotype
Authors: Morandi Grazia , Cerbone Manuela , Lamback Elisa B , Rapti Eleni , Dattani Mehul T
Published: March 2018

Context

45,X/46,XY mosaicism is a disorder of sex development leading to abnormal gonadal development and to unpredictable genital phenotype, growth, and pubertal development.

Case Description

A 2-year-old male presented with a right impalpable testis. Blood karyotype was 46,XY. A laparoscopy performed for right orchidopexy revealed a right streak gonad with Mullerian structures, whereas on the left side, a normal descended testis was present. The karyotype of the removed gonad was 45,X/46,XY. The child grew along the second centile, within the midparental height (MPH) range, until the time of puberty, when linear growth worsened due to a lack of a pubertal growth spurt, and growth hormone (GH) therapy was initiated. He developed spontaneous puberty (13 years of age) and showed normal pubertal progression. However, from the age of 15 years, he had low normal testosterone, raised follicle-stimulating hormone, and reduction of inhibin B, possibly suggestive of declining testicular function. His final height was −2.24 standard deviation score (SDS) (−2.4 SDS at GH start; MPH −1.6 SDS).

Conclusions

Our case describes a mild male phenotype associated with 45,X/46,XY mosaicism characterized by unilateral cryptorchidism, spontaneous onset of puberty, and normal blood karyotype. The case illustrates the difficulties inherent in making a diagnosis of 45,X/46,XY mosaicism when there is no genital ambiguity and makes the point that growth and testicular impairment may occur, mostly manifesting during adolescence. An early diagnosis is crucial to initiate careful monitoring for growth and pubertal disorders, increased tumor risk, and fertility issues commonly seen in these children.
Insulin resistance and clinical outcomes after acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Ago Tetsuro , Matsuo Ryu , Hata Jun , Wakisaka Yoshinobu , Kuroda Junya , Kitazono Takanari , Kamouchi Masahiro ,   On behalf of the Fukuoka Stroke Registry Investigators
Published: March 2018

Objective

In this study, we aimed to determine whether insulin resistance is associated with clinical outcomes after acute ischemic stroke.

Methods

We enrolled 4,655 patients with acute ischemic stroke (aged 70.3 ± 12.5 years, 63.5% men) who had been independent before admission; were hospitalized in 7 stroke centers in Fukuoka, Japan, from April 2009 to March 2015; and received no insulin therapy during hospitalization. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) score was calculated using fasting blood glucose and insulin levels measured 8.3 ± 7.8 days after onset. Study outcomes were neurologic improvement (≥4-point decrease in NIH Stroke Scale score or 0 at discharge), poor functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score of ≥3 at 3 months), and 3-month prognosis (stroke recurrence and all-cause mortality). Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association of the HOMA-IR score with clinical outcomes.

Results

The HOMA-IR score was associated with neurologic improvement (odds ratio, 0.68 [95% confidence interval, 0.56–0.83], top vs bottom quintile) and with poor functional outcome (2.02 [1.52–2.68], top vs bottom quintile) after adjusting for potential confounding factors, including diabetes and body mass index. HOMA-IR was not associated with stroke recurrence or mortality within 3 months of onset. The associations were maintained in nondiabetic or nonobese patients. No heterogeneity was observed according to age, sex, stroke subtype, or stroke severity.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that insulin resistance is independently associated with poor functional outcome after acute ischemic stroke apart from the risk of short-term stroke recurrence or mortality.
Railroads of the Raj: Estimating the Impact of Transportation Infrastructure
Authors: Donaldson Dave
Published: March 2018

How large are the benefits of transportation infrastructure projects, and what explains these benefits? This paper uses archival data from colonial India to investigate the impact of India's vast railroad network. Guided by four results from a general equilibrium trade model, I find that railroads: (1) decreased trade costs and interregional price gaps; (2) increased interregional and international trade; (3) increased real income levels; and (4) that a sufficient statistic for the effect of railroads on welfare in the model accounts well for the observed reduced-form impact of railroads on real income in the data. (JEL H54, L92, N75, O22, R12, R42)
The Limits to Partial Banking Unions: A Political Economy Approach
Authors: Foarta Dana
Published: March 2018

This paper studies the welfare effects of a “partial banking union” in which cross-country transfers for bailouts are set at the supranational level, but policymakers in member countries decide the distribution of funds. This allows the self-interested policymakers to extract rents in the bailout process. In equilibrium, such a banking union can actually lower the welfare of citizens in the country receiving transfers compared to the autarky case, as the receiving country must increase its share of the overall burden of the bailout, in order to compensate for the rent-seeking distortion. Supranational fiscal rules are ineffective at reversing this result. (JEL D72, E44, E61, G01, G21, G28)
Team-Specific Capital and Innovation
Authors: Jaravel Xavier , Petkova Neviana , Bell Alex
Published: March 2018

We establish the importance of team-specific capital in the typical inventor's career. Using administrative tax and patent data for the population of US patent inventors from 1996 to 2012, we find that an inventor's premature death causes a large and long-lasting decline in their co-inventor's earnings and citation-weighted patents (−4 percent and −15 percent after 8 years, respectively). After ruling out firm disruption, network effects, and top-down spillovers as main channels, we show that the effect is driven by close-knit teams and that team-specific capital largely results from an “experience” component increasing collaboration value over time. (JEL J24, J31, M54, O31, O34)
Resurrecting the Role of the Product Market Wedge in Recessions
Authors: Bils Mark , Klenow Peter J. , Malin Benjamin A.
Published: March 2018

Employment and hours are more cyclical than dictated by productivity and consumption. This intratemporal labor wedge can arise from product or labor market distortions. Based on employee wages, the literature has attributed the intratemporal wedge almost entirely to labor market distortions. Because wages may be smoothed versions of labor's true cyclical price, we instead examine the self-employed and intermediate inputs, respectively. For recent decades in the United States, we find price markup movements are at least as cyclical as wage markup movements. Thus, countercyclical price markups deserve a central place in business-cycle research, alongside sticky wages and matching frictions. (JEL E24, E32, E63, J31, J41)