bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Preterm Birth in the Association Between Opioid Maintenance Therapy and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
Authors: Lemon Lara S. , Naimi Ashley , Caritis Steve N. , Platt Robert W. , Venkataramanan Raman , Bodnar Lisa M.
Published: January 2018

Background

Pregnant women treated with methadone as opioid maintenance therapy are more likely than women treated with buprenorphine to deliver preterm. Preterm birth is associated with less risk of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). We sought to assess the role of preterm birth as a mediator of the relationship between in utero exposure to methadone and NAS compared with buprenorphine.

Methods

We studied 716 women receiving methadone or buprenorphine and delivering liveborn infants at Magee‐Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (2013–15). We implemented inverse probability weighted marginal structural models to isolate the role of preterm birth (<37 weeks’ gestation). Weights accounted for confounding by maternal age, race, insurance, parity, delivery year, marital, employment, hepatitis C, and smoking status.

Results

Approximately 57% of the cohort were treated with methadone. Preterm birth was more common in methadone‐exposed pregnancies (25% versus 14%). The incidence of NAS treatment was higher in methadone compared with buprenorphine‐exposed infants (65% vs 49%), and term compared with preterm births (64% vs 36%). For every 100 infants liveborn to mothers treated for opioid dependence, there were 13 excess cases of NAS among infants exposed to methadone compared with buprenorphine (adjusted risk difference [RD] 13.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.7, 20.9). Among term births, this increased to 17 excess cases of NAS in methadone‐ compared with buprenorphine‐exposed (RD 16.7, 95% CI 9.3, 24.0).

Conclusion

The further increased risk of NAS associated with methadone use vs buprenorphine in term deliveries emphasises the utility of buprenorphine in clinical settings aimed at decreasing NAS.
What, exactly, are we measuring? Examining heteronormativity in relation to same‐gender marriage
Authors: Bartholomay Daniel J.
Published: January 2018

Focusing on the relationship between same‐gender marriage and heteronormativity, my objectives in this paper are twofold. First, I examine the scholarly conversation examining same‐gender marriage as a practice that either reinforces or challenges heteronormativity. I agree with the arguments posed by contemporary sociologists that reducing same‐gender marriage to being purely supportive or disruptive of heteronormativity oversimplifies the issue. Next, I critically examine how challenges to heteronormativity are being measured in the context of same‐gender marriage. I argue that future scholarship would benefit from more thoroughly considering how challenges to heteronormativity manifest in different forms and impact the social system of heteronormativity in distinct and varied ways.
Damage detection in beams from modal and wavelet analysis using a stationary roving mass and noise estimation
Authors: Solís M. , Ma Q. , Galvín P.
Published: January 2018

This paper uses the Continuous Wavelet Transform Analysis on mode shapes for damage identification. The wavelet analysis is applied to the difference in the mode shapes between a healthy and a damaged state. The paper also includes a novel methodology for estimating the level of noise of the experimental mode shapes based on a standard Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR). The estimated SNRs are used for identifying and making emphasis on the less noisy data. Moreover, a mass attached to the structure is considered to enhance the sensitivity of the structure to damage. Modal analysis is performed for different positions of the mass along the beam. The results obtained for all the positions of the mass are combined so an averaging process is implicitly applied. The paper presents the results from an experimental test of a cantilever steel beam with different severity levels of damage at the same location. The results show that the use of the attached mass reduces the effect of noise and increases the sensitivity to damage. Little damage can be identified with the proposed methodology even using a small number of sensors and only the first five bending modes.
Cladosporium cladosporioides‐complex infection in a mixed‐breed dog
Authors: Spano Matteo , Zuliani Davide , Peano Andrea , Bertazzolo Walter
Published: January 2018

A 3‐year‐old female mixed‐breed dog was referred with a 2‐day history of serious dyspnea, coughing, lethargy, anorexia, and a low‐grade right anterior lameness. At presentation, the dog had an increased respiratory rate, dull heart and lung sounds, and cyanotic mucous membranes. It was hyperthermic and slightly dehydrated. Laboratory findings showed mild neutrophilia with a left shift, while serum biochemistry variables were in the normal range. However, urinalysis revealed mild proteinuria and rare erythrocytes and leukocytes on sediment examination. Thoracic radiographs showed a diffuse mixed interstitial and alveolar pattern with an air bronchogram, while appendicular radiographs showed a right humeral interrupted brush‐like periosteal reaction. Thoracic ultrasonography revealed mediastinal lymph node enlargement. Cytology from a fine‐needle aspirate of mediastinal lymph nodes revealed a pyogranulomatous lymphadenitis with numerous fungal hyphae. Culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar isolated dark fungal colonies with microscopic features consistent withCladosporiumspp. Sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region identified the fungus as a species of theCladosporium cladosporioides‐complex.
Establishment of the Korean haemovigilance system
Authors: Kim H. , Hyun J. , Han K.‐S.
Published: January 2018

Background

The first regulation on haemovigilance in South Korea was first established in 1999 by the Blood Management Act. The purpose of this act was mainly focused on management of transfusion‐transmitted infections.

Aims

A more general form of haemovigilance system was needed for surveillance on the transfusion chain.

Materials & Methods

A research funded by the government was initiated in 2007 for development of a haemovigilance system. Review on haemovigilance systems of other countries and development of draft report forms were proceeded on the first year. Pilot operation of the system with 46 voluntary participating institutions was conducted during 2008‐2009 including development of an online reporting system via the website.

Results

The system was formally launched in a nationwide scale in 2010, financially supported continuously by the government but independently operated by the Korean Society of Blood Transfusion. The program is a centralized, stand‐alone, voluntary reporting, non‐punitive, anonymized, comprehensive system. The number of reporting hospitals and reports submitted has grown every year, with a significant increase after several administrative changes regarding financial incentives and institutional accreditation programs which requested the participation of haemovigilance. Workshops are held for participants every year, and the annual reports can be accessed on the website. Among 215 participating hospitals, 169 reported 3,375 adverse events during the fiscal year 2016.

Conclusion

We have successfully operated the program for ten years, including a two‐year pilot study. We hope to further enhance the system qualitatively regarding case validation and standardization of case reporting.
Bulk Storage of Citrus Juice Concentrate
Authors: Ratcliff Morris W.
Published: January 2018

Bulk holding tanks for the storage of juice and concentrates are becoming a way of life in the Florida Citrus Processing Industry. Most of the processors in this industry either have now or are considering some form of bulk tank system. These tanks vary from a few hundred gallons up to one hundred thousand gallons capacity. Outside the State of Florida there are fruit juice holding tanks which approach three hundred thousand gallons, and the wine industry exceeds even this in tank capacity. Tanks of both vertical and horizontal structure are in use. These tanks may be made of stainless steel, coated mild steel, fiberglass reinforced resin or coated concrete. Reinforced, collapsible neoprene “cushion” tanks of up to forty thousand gallons capacity are in use.

Paper published with permission.
Spray Irrigation of Citrus Waste
Authors: Morrell Henry P.
Published: January 2018

Land application of wastewater is an old practice — it was used by the Greeks in Athens and was begun in the United States over 100 years ago. Hundreds of communities throughout the nation currently use one form or another of land application with varying degrees of success. The application of wastewater to the land brings into play elements of climate, air, land, irrigation and water so that understanding and analysis of its many aspects requires a multi-disciplinary approach. There are three generally accepted approaches to land application. These are:

1. Irrigation

2. Overland Flow

3. Infiltration Percolation

Paper published with permission.
Economics of d-Limonene Recovery
Authors: Gerow Gordon P.
Published: January 2018

d-Limonene is the main volatile constituent of citrus peel oil, and the collected volatile portion of oil is usually referred to as d-Limonene in the trade. The later definition will be used throughout this paper rather than the exact chemical definition.

Paper published with permission.
The Fuel Crisis
Authors: Smith W. J.
Published: January 2018

Based on facts available to the public, almost everyone agrees that an energy shortage or fuel crisis now exists in our country and state. While there is not general agreement about the quantitative aspects of this crisis, there is agreement that it is of significant magnitude to create very great concern about sustaining the current high levels of industrial productivity with its related employment and economic activity.

In our complex society and economic system, it is not possible to easily determine all of the causes of the current fuel crisis. To better understand the problems of causing fuel supply to increase to correspond to fuel demand, an effort is made to briefly describe some of the more apparent causes for the fuel crisis.

The primary attention and discussion herein are directed toward what may be done, both short range and long range, to help overcome the fuel crisis from the point of view of the Florida Citrus Industry.

Paper published with permission.
Potable Water From Plant Waste Water
Authors: Richardson Gordon H. , McDuff Omer R.
Published: January 2018

The direct reuse of waste affluents is not a new concept to the citrus industry. Jones(1) reported the limited reuse of lime treated treatment plant effluent as barometric leg water. Treatment plant effluent was indicated by the Coca Cola Company Foods Division(2) as suitable for reuse as cooling water. Reuse of barometric leg water through the installation of cooling towers has become an accepted practice. This relatively high quality water, which amounts to a significant part of the total plant water usage, is readily isolated from the existing systems.

Paper published with permission.
Increasing Boiler Efficiencies
Authors: O’Leary R. P.
Published: January 2018

The most difficult problem in giving any talk, on any subject, is how to get started. I, myself, decided to go to Webster’s Dictionary to find the definition of efficiency. Webster defines it as follows: “Efficiency is the ratio of useful work obtained to energy expended”. I think it would be fair to say that the efficiency by which we convert energy to a saleable product will be the measure of a successful engineer.

Paper published with permission.
Engineering and the Citrus Industry
Authors: Kimball Thos. B.
Published: January 2018

When I was first asked to make this talk about the engineer and the citrus industry, I was horrified at the thought that anyone would get up and try to extol the virtues of their profession in a group so knowledgeable and experienced as you. Nothing but a fool would do this! But I was convinced by your Program Committee members that we should do it, and that I might be able to pull it off — and I will try.

Paper published with permission.
Citrus in the World Food Outlook
Authors: Eastwood Ralph A.
Published: January 2018

GOALS. You invited me to develop two sub-topics relative to citrus in the world food outlook. The first and shorter is to update the speech delivered to your association in this auditorium three years ago.2 The second, to which more emphasis is to be given, is to discuss selected important citribusiness issues in such detail and at a sufficiently high level of generalization to provide perspective for your long-range profit planning as you develop products featuring adequate technology for citribusiness here and abroad.

Paper published with permission.
Water: The Essence of Life
Authors: Bailey G. Lionel
Published: January 2018

Water has probably received more study and revealed less secrets than any other substance in history. Hundreds of volumes and thousands of articles have been written on the nearest substance to the universal solvent there is.

Paper published with permission.
Energy Savings in the Citrus Industry
Authors: Graybill Michael W.
Published: January 2018

Can the operating management of a citrus concentrate plant afford not to manage energy with the same determination and effort that is already devoted to that critical measuring stick — productivity.

Paper published with permission.
Coal as a Fuel
Authors: Kaiser Alex
Published: January 2018

I want to take a moment at the start of this paper to explain what this paper is and what it isn’t. This paper is not a highly technical paper with a great deal of engineering details but, rather, as the title indicates, an overview of coal. I will try to show during the presentation of this paper the differences between coal and the other fossil fuels and attempt to trace coal from its origin to the end point use. I will not attempt to discuss the end point use for your industry, and it will be presumptuous of me to do so as my experience with coal uses is centered entirely in the electric utility industry.

Paper published with permission.
Irrigation Methods and Equipment for Production of Citrus in Florida
Authors: Harrison Dalton S.
Published: January 2018

Florida citrus growers have perhaps the most challenging times ahead for decisions as to which supplemental irrigation method they should use. It is estimated that some 500,000 acres of approximately 875,000 acres of Florida citrus are now subject to irrigation by various methods. Of this total, 160,000 acres are under permanent overhead systems; 150,000 are under seepage or flood; 175,000 under portable pipe and guns; and 16,000 plus under drip. There are other reports that have drip up to 20,000 acres; however, the acreage of drip reported here does not include under-tree low volume spray-head type systems (some 4,000 acres), erroneously referred to as drip systems.

Paper published with permission.
Dietary Citrus Fibers
Authors: Ferguson R. R. , Fox K. I.
Published: January 2018

Limited quantities of dried juice sacs have been produced commercially in Florida since the late 1950’s. Several citrus processors have been involved in this production at one time or another and one well known processor is currently producing relatively small but significant quantities. Workers at the University of Florida’s Agricultural Research and Education Center at Lake Alfred, as well as at the USDA’s Utilization Research Labs at Winter Haven, Florida and Pasadena, California have been advocating this speciality by-product citing the tangible advantages of the higher return as compared to that of dried orange pulp for animal feed. At the same time they point out the intangible benefits of removing one of the major sources of air pollutants from the stack emissions of feed mills.

Paper published with permission.
Energy Review
Authors: Zausner Eric R.
Published: January 2018

Today almost 4 years after the Arab embargo confusion, conflict and lack of action are still the key words which describe a Nation’s energy policy. There are several questions and hopefully some answers that I’d like to address today about national energy policy.

• What is illusion and what is reality about the energy “crisis”?

• What will the President’s program accomplish and will it emerge as battered as the press would have us believe?

• Why are we unable to develop a comprehensive energy program?

• What are the key issues and decisions we must face up to?

Paper published with permission.
Pumping Viscous Liquids
Authors: Kelley Clarence L.
Published: January 2018

Today I will attempt to generate some thoughts on handling viscous liquids with pumps. Hopefully these comments will be the start of much deeper investigations into solutions to some of the pumping problems we are now faced with.

Paper published with permission.
Peel Oil Recovery by Recycling Centrifuge Effluent
Authors: Steger Elizabeth S.
Published: January 2018

The pollution problems associated with the disposal of waste water, especially those high in organic matter, have drawn increasing attention in recent years. An increasing number of plants are developing various water recycling techniques in an effort to comply with EPA regulations and to reduce waste treatment costs.

Paper published with permission.
Weather Analysis and Forecasting
Authors: Crosby Frederick L.
Published: January 2018

I appreciate the opportunity to talk to the 25th Conference for a few minutes today on the procedures and programs used by the National Weather Service to provide a meteorological service to the United States.

Paper published with permission.
Bela: An embedded platform for low-latency feedback control of sound
Authors: McPherson Andrew
Published: January 2018

Bela is an open-source embedded platform for audio and sensor processing. It uses a Beagle Bone Black single-board computer with a custom hard-real time audio environment based on Xenomai Linux, which is capable of submillisecond round-trip audio latencies (as low as 80 microseconds in certain configurations). The Bela hardware features stereo audio input and output, 8 channels each of 16-bit analog input and output, and 16 digital I/Os, all sampled at audio rates with nearly jitter-free alignment to the audio clock. This paper will present the hardware, software, and selected applications of Bela. Bela is suitable for creating digital musical instruments and interactive audio systems, and its low latency makes it especially well adapted for real-time feedback control over acoustic systems. It has been used in feedback control experiments with wind and string instruments and used as the basis for a study of the performer's experience of latency on percussion instruments.
Modeling the level-dependent changes of concurrent vowel scores
Authors: Settibhaktini Harshavardhan , Chintanpalli Ananthakrishna
Published: January 2018

The difference in fundamental frequency (F0) between talkers is an important cue for speaker segregation. To understand how this cue varies across sound level, Chintanpalli, Ahlstrom, and Dubno [(2014). J. Assoc. Res. Otolaryngol. 15, 823–837] collected level-dependent changes in concurrent-vowel identification scores for same- and different-F0 conditions in younger adults with normal hearing. Modeling suggested that level-dependent changes in phase locking of auditory-nerve (AN) fibers to formants and F0s may contribute to concurrent-vowel identification scores; however, identification scores were not predicted to test this suggestion directly. The current study predicts these identification scores using the temporal responses of a computational AN model and a modified version of Meddis and Hewitt's [(1992). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 91, 233–245] F0-based segregation algorithm. The model successfully captured the level-dependent changes in identification scores of both vowels with and without F0 difference, as well as identification scores for one vowel correct. The model's F0-based vowel segregation was controlled using the actual F0-benefit across levels such that the predicted F0-benefit matched qualitatively with the actual F0-benefit as a function of level. The quantitative predictions from this F0-based segregation algorithm demonstrate that temporal responses of AN fibers to vowel formants and F0s can account for variations in identification scores across sound level and F0-difference conditions in a concurrent-vowel task.
Antimicrobial Drug Resistance in Fish Pathogens
Authors: Miller Ron A. , Harbottle Heather
Published: January 2018

Major concerns surround the use of antimicrobial agents in farm-raised fish, including the potential impacts these uses may have on the development of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens in fish and the aquatic environment. Currently, some antimicrobial agents commonly used in aquaculture are only partially effective against select fish pathogens due to the emergence of resistant bacteria. Although reports of ineffectiveness in aquaculture due to resistant pathogens are scarce in the literature, some have reported mass mortalities in
Penaeus monodon
larvae caused by
Vibrio harveyi
resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, and streptomycin. Genetic determinants of antimicrobial resistance have been described in aquaculture environments and are commonly found on mobile genetic elements which are recognized as the primary source of antimicrobial resistance for important fish pathogens. Indeed, resistance genes have been found on transferable plasmids and integrons in pathogenic bacterial species in the genera
Aeromonas
,
Yersinia
,
Photobacterium
,
Edwardsiella
, and
Vibrio
. Class 1 integrons and IncA/C plasmids have been widely identified in important fish pathogens (
Aeromonas
spp.,
Yersinia
spp.,
Photobacterium
spp.,
Edwardsiella
spp., and
Vibrio
spp.) and are thought to play a major role in the transmission of antimicrobial resistance determinants in the aquatic environment. The identification of plasmids in terrestrial pathogens (
Salmonella enterica
serotypes,
Escherichia coli
, and others) which have considerable homology to plasmid backbone DNA from aquatic pathogens suggests that the plasmid profiles of fish pathogens are extremely plastic and mobile and constitute a considerable reservoir for antimicrobial resistance genes for pathogens in diverse environments.
Paediatric obesity appears to lower the risk of diabetes if selection bias is ignored
Authors: Stovitz Steven D , Banack Hailey R , Kaufman Jay S
Published: January 2018

Background

Frustrated with the onslaught of articles reporting fascination with results that appear paradoxical but are merely due to selection bias, we studied the apparent effect of obesity on diabetes risk in youth who had a test for diabetes. We hypothesised that obese subjects would have lower rates of diabetes than non-obese subjects due to selection bias, and consequently, obesity would appear to lower the risk of diabetes.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of children (4–9 years), pre-teens (10–12 years) and teenagers (13–19 years). Participation was restricted to those who had a test of haemoglobin A1C along with measured height and weight. Body mass index percentile via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention age and sex standards was calculated and categorised. The main outcome was A1C%, subsequently categorised at the level for diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (≥6.5%).

Results

The sample consisted of 134 (2%) underweight, 1718 (30%) healthy weight, 660 (12%) overweight and 3190 (56%) obese individuals. 16% (n=936) had an A1C≥6.5%. Overall, healthy weight children had 8.2 times the risk of A1C≥6.5% (95% CI 5.3 to 12.7) compared with those in the obese category. The relative risk was 13 in pre-teens (95% CI 8.5 to 20.0) and 3.9 in teenagers (95% CI 3.3 to 4.7).

Conclusions

Healthy weight was associated with a 4–13 times higher relative risk of diabetes mellitus compared with being obese. While apparently shocking, the study’s fatal flaw (selection bias) explains the ‘paradoxical’ finding. Ignoring selection bias can delay advances in medical science.
Bladder cancer and occupational exposure to metalworking fluid mist: a counter-matched case–control study in French steel-producing factories
Authors: Colin Régis , Grzebyk Michel , Wild Pascal , Hédelin Guy , Bourgkard Ève
Published: January 2018

Objectives

To assess the relationship between occupational exposure to metalworking fluids (MWFs) in the steel-producing industry and bladder cancer incidence.

Methods

A nested case–control study on bladder cancer was set up in a cohort of workers from six French steel-producing factories. Three controls were randomly selected for each incident bladder cancer case diagnosed from 2006 to 2012. Controls were matched to cases on age at diagnosis and counter-matched on a surrogate measure of exposure to MWFs derived from a job-exposure matrix. Cases (n=84) and controls (n=251) were face-to-face interviewed. Experts assessed occupational exposure to MWFs (straight, soluble and synthetic) using questionnaires and reports from factory visits. Occupational exposures were based on three metrics: duration, frequency-weighted duration and cumulative exposure index. Conditional multiple logistic regressions were used to determine ORs and 95% CIs, taking non-occupational and occupational exposure into account.

Results

In the 25 years before diagnosis, ORs increased significantly with duration of exposure to straight MWFs (OR=1.13 (1.02–1.25)) and increased with frequency-weighted duration of exposure to straight MWFs (OR=1.44 (0.97–2.14)). These results remained valid after adjusting for duration of smoking, average number of cigarettes smoked per day, time since smoking cessation and exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). ORs also increased with soluble MWFs but not significantly. No significant association was found with older exposures to MWFs or with exposure to synthetic MWFs.

Conclusion

The increased risk of bladder cancer observed among workers exposed to straight MWFs and to a lesser extent to soluble MWFs may be explained by the presence of carcinogens (such as PAH) in mineral oils component of straight and soluble oils. Prevention therefore remains necessary in sectors using MWFs.
Incidence of cardiovascular disease in a historical cohort of Danish firefighters
Authors: Pedersen Julie Elbæk , Ugelvig Petersen Kajsa , Ebbehøj Niels Erik , Bonde Jens Peter , Hansen Johnni
Published: January 2018

Objectives

Firefighters are exposed to multiple cardiovascular hazards, but few epidemiological studies have addressed their cardiovascular morbidity. The objective of this study was therefore to examine the incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in Danish firefighters.

Methods

We used individual historical employment records on 11.691 male Danish firefighters supplied by trade unions and fire agencies. The Supplementary Pension Fund Register was used to establish two occupational reference groups (a random sample from the male employed population and military employees). Information on CVD incidence was retrieved from the nationwide Danish National Patient Registry. SIRs and Poisson regression analyses (incidence rate ratio) were used for estimation of risks, including 95% CIs.

Results

In comparison with the population sample, the age-adjusted and calendar time-adjusted SIR for all CVDs combined was increased in firefighters (SIR=1.10, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.15). The risk was also elevated for the most frequent outcomes, including angina pectoris (SIR=1.16, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.24), acute myocardial infarction (SIR=1.16, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.26), chronic ischaemic heart disease (SIR=1.15, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.24) and atrial fibrillation/flutter (SIR=1.25, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.36). This analysis showed the most elevated SIRs for CVD in full-time firefighters compared with part-time/volunteer firefighters. Both types of firefighters employed <15 years had an increased risk of CVD. Similar risk patterns appeared in comparisons with the military. Internal analysis supported external findings.

Conclusion

The risk of overall CVD, including the most frequent subtypes was modestly increased in Danish firefighters and was most elevated in full-time firefighters compared with other male employees.
Recent advances in the understanding of endothelial barrier function and fluid therapy
Authors: Thind Guramrinder Singh , Zanders Steve , Baker Joanne K
Published: January 2018

Elucidation of the structural basis of endothelial barrier function and the study of transcapillary fluid exchange dynamics are areas of active research. There has been significant enhancement in our understanding of the ultrastructural basis of endothelial barrier function. The role of glycocalyx has received special attention. Experimental evidence has called for a revision in the classic Starling principle of transcapillary exchange. The glycocalyx model provides a potential structural mechanism for the revised Starling principle. This knowledge can provide the framework for understanding the volume expansion effect of fluid therapy and the physiological basis of fluid therapy.
Healthcare utilisation and costs of home mechanical ventilation
Authors: Nonoyama Mika L , McKim Douglas A , Road Jeremy , Guerriere Denise , Coyte Peter C , Wasilewski Marina , Avendano Monica , Katz Sherri L , Amin Reshma , Goldstein Roger , Zagorski Brandon , Rose Louise
Published: January 2018

Background

Individuals using home mechanical ventilation (HMV) frequently choose to live at home for quality of life, despite financial burden. Previous studies of healthcare utilisation and costs do not consider public and private expenditures, including caregiver time.

Objectives

To determine public and private healthcare utilisation and costs for HMV users living at home in two Canadian provinces, and examine factors associated with higher costs.

Methods

Longitudinal, prospective observational cost analysis study (April 2012 to August 2015) collecting data on public and private (out-of-pocket, third-party insurance, caregiving) costs every 2 weeks for 6 months using the Ambulatory and Home Care Record. Functional Independence Measure (FIM) was used at baseline and study completion. Regression models examined variables associated with total monthly costs selected a priori using Andersen and Newman’s framework for healthcare utilisation, relevant literature, and clinical expertise. Data are reported in 2015 Canadian dollars ($C1=US$0.78=₤0.51=€0.71).

Results

We enrolled 134 HMV users; 95 with family caregivers. Overall median (IQR) monthly healthcare cost was $5275 ($2291–$10 181) with $2410 (58%) publicly funded; $1609 (39%) family caregiving; and $141 (3%) out-of-pocket (<1% third-party insurance). Median healthcare costs were $8733 ($5868–$15 274) for those invasively ventilated and $3925 ($1212–$7390) for non-invasive ventilation. Variables associated with highest monthly costs were amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (1.88, 95% CI 1.09 to 3.26, P<0.03) and lower FIM quintiles (higher dependency) (up to 6.98, 95% CI 3.88 to 12.55, P<0.0001) adjusting for age, sex, tracheostomy and ventilation duration.

Conclusions

For HMV users, most healthcare costs were publicly supported or associated with family caregiving. Highest costs were incurred by the most dependent users. Understanding healthcare costs for HMV users will inform policy decisions to optimise resource allocation, helping individuals live at home while minimising caregiver burden.
Knockdown of Nrf2 inhibits angiogenesis by downregulating VEGF expression through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in cerebral microvascular endothelial cells under hypoxic conditions
Authors: Huang Yujing , Mao Ying , Li Huiying , Shen Guangxun , Nan Guangxian
Published: January 2018

Ischemic stroke is a major cerebrovascular disease resulting from a transient or permanent local reduction of cerebral blood flow. Angiogenesis plays an important role in cerebral microvascular repair after ischemic stroke. This study aimed at investigating the effect of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) on the angiogenesis of mouse cerebral microvascular endothelial bEnd.3 cells in a hypoxic environment. We found that Nrf2 expression was temporarily increased in hypoxia-induced bEnd.3 cells. Knockdown of Nrf2 inhibited the proliferation, migration, as well as tube formation in hypoxia-induced bEnd.3 cells. Meanwhile, vascular endothelial growth factor and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways were identified to be regulated by Nrf2 in hypoxia-induced bEnd.3 cells. It was found that silencing of Nrf2 downregulated the expression levels of NAD(P)H:quinine oxidoreductase-1, vascular endothelial growth factor, p-Akt, and heme oxygenase-1 in hypoxia-induced bEnd.3 cells. Data suggested that hypoxia induced the transient increase of Nrf2, which plays a key role in the angiogenesis of cerebral microangiogenesis, and that Nrf2 regulates the proliferation, migration, as well as tube formation likely through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in hypoxia-induced bEnd.3 cells. Our study provides proof of concept for the modulation of Nrf2, so as to tilt the balance toward angiogenesis, representing a therapeutic strategy for hypoxia or ischemia disorders such as stroke.
Comparison of rockburst occurrence during extraction of thick coal seams using top-coal caving versus slicing mining methods
Authors: Li Zhen-lei , He Xue-qiu , Dou Lin-ming , Song Da-zhao
Published: January 2018

In recent years, rockbursts have occurred frequently during the mining of thick coal seams in China. Use of the top-coal caving or slicing mining method to extract these thick seams may result in distinct geomechanical responses in the strata and, in turn, the pattern of rockburst occurrence around longwall layouts. To establish a thorough understanding of which method (caving or slicing) is better when it comes to preventing rockbursts during the extraction process, a suite of in situ rockburst measurements was conducted. Six typical rockburst-prone collieries were monitored during which a total of 110 rockburst events occurred. Numerical modelling was used to help interpret the observations. Here, we focus on the analysis of these field observations and the numerical simulations employed to develop a conceptual model for rockburst occurrence during caving mining of thick coal seams. We find that caving mining has a certain rockburst-reducing effect in that the method significantly decreases, or even avoids, the occurrence of rockbursts at coalfaces. Moreover, it reduces the scope of the damage likely to be incurred and the severity and frequency of rockbursting. According to the conceptual model, the rockburst-prone area during caving mining is generally the roadway section located a certain distance ahead of the coalface. This distance, which is roughly 10–54 m, is consistent with the rockburst damage observed on site (mostly 10–50 m ahead of the coalface). This rockburst pattern arises because caving mining results in reduced stress concentration, less bottom coal being retained, and wider-ranging fracture zones around the mine openings, especially ahead of the coalface. This makes the rock surrounding the mine openings less likely to accumulate high levels of elastic energy that need releasing and hence it is more difficult to induce rockbursting. Therefore, it is recommended that the top-coal caving method should be the preferred method of extraction when mining coal seams of a certain thickness.
Spatial and temporal assessments of genetic structure in an endangered Garry oak ecosystem on Vancouver Island
Authors: Catherall Erin E. , Janes Jasmine K. , Josefsson Caroline A. , Gorrell Jamieson C.
Published: January 2018

Garry oak (Quercus garryana Douglas ex Hook.) is a deciduous tree whose ecosystem is listed “at risk” throughout its range in British Columbia (BC), Canada, under the Canadian Species at Risk Act. Garry oak ecosystems host the most diverse flora for coastal BC, yet they account for less than 0.3% of the province’s land coverage. Due to the loss and degradation of Garry oak habitat, many associated plant and animal species that rely on these sensitive ecosystems are endangered. Microsatellite markers were used to investigate temporal changes in fine-scale population genetic structure of 121 Garry oak trees from the Nanaimo region (Vancouver Island, BC) using diameter at breast height as a proxy for age. Overall, allelic diversity was moderate, ranging from 3.0 to 7.5 alleles per locus with a mean of 4.4 (±0.4 SE) across all loci. Global fixation indices (FST) of 0.06 and 0.09 suggest significant departures from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium among all populations and age-classified subpopulations, respectively. We found no evidence for change in genetic diversity across generations. Our results indicate low levels of differentiation within populations and high levels of gene flow among populations, suggesting an adaptive potential for Garry oaks in response to future climate change events.
Seasonal changes in digestive enzymes in five bird species
Authors: Ramirez-Otarola Natalia , Naya Daniel E. , Sabat Pablo
Published: January 2018

Most animals must cope with seasonal fluctuations in environmental conditions, including variations in food availability and composition. Accordingly, it is expected that most species should exhibit reversible seasonal phenotypic adjustments in their physiology. Here, we assessed seasonal variation in the activity of three digestive enzymes (sucrase, maltase, and aminopeptidase-N) in one omniviorous bird species (Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis (P. L. Statius Müller, 1776))), three granivorous bird species (Black-chinned Siskin (Carduelis barbata (Molina, 1782)), Common Diuca Finch (Diuca diuca (Molina, 1782)), and Mourning Sierra Finch (Phrygilus fruticeti (Kittlitz, 1833))), and one insectivorous bird species (Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail (Leptasthenura aegithaloides (Kittlitz, 1830))). Based on the adaptive modulation hypothesis, we predicted that the omnivorous species should exhibit the largest seasonal variation in the activity of its digestive enzymes in relation to granivorous and insectivorous species. We found that Z. capensis adjusts total activities of disaccharidases, total sucrase activity varied between seasons in C. barbata, and total activity of aminopeptidase-N only changed seasonally in L. aegithaloides. Moreover, this last species modified the tissue-specific activity of both disaccharidases as well as the wet mass of its intestine. Taken together, our results suggest that seasonal dietary changes occur in most of the species, regardless of the trophic categories in which they belong. Consequently, a better knowledge of the diet and its seasonal variation is necessary to better account for the results recorded in this study.
Synthesis and antiaromatic character of alkyl-substituted di-peri-dinaphthoporphyrin Ni(II) complex
Authors: Umetani Masataka , Naoda Koji , Tanaka Takayuki , Osuka Atsuhiro
Published: January 2018

Antiaromatic molecules have recently been proven to display unique properties such as small HOMO–LUMO gaps, ambipolar carrier transporting and [Formula: see text]-stack-induced aromatic stabilizations. These intriguing properties have been demonstrated by stable antiaromatic molecules that exhibit a distinct antiaromatic character. Di-peri-dinaphthoporphyrins are peripherally [Formula: see text]-extended porphyrinoids that exhibit a planar structure and a distinct antiaromatic character stemming from their 24[Formula: see text] electron circuit. Herein, we report an alkyl-substituted di-peri-dinaphthoporphyrin Ni(II) complex 5Ni bearing less peripheral bulkiness as compared with phenyl-substituted ones. 5Ni displayed upfield-shifted [Formula: see text]H NMR signals due to [Formula: see text]-protons, indicating its distinct antiaromaticity, and a slightly shorter intermolecular packing distance (ca. 3.402 Å) in the solid state. Cyclic voltammetry shows a larger potential difference between the first and second oxidation waves, implying that this molecule tends to stack favorably in its oxidized state.
Singlet oxygen quantum yields and photostability of planar binuclear phthalocyanines
Authors: Makarov Sergei G. , Schnurpfeil Günter , Rychagova Elena A. , Ketkov Sergey Yu. , Suvorova Olga N. , Wöhrle Dieter
Published: January 2018

The singlet oxygen ([Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] quantum yield of the near-infrared absorbing ([Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] 839 nm) planar [Formula: see text]-conjugated binuclear zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) was measured and compared to the [Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] quantum yields of the mononuclear and the planar binuclear phthalocyanine without [Formula: see text]-conjugation between Pc rings. In addition, the photooxidative stability of the [Formula: see text]-conjugated binuclear Pc was determined and compared to the stabilities of the mononuclear ZnPc and the known near-infrared photosensitizer, zinc tetra-tert-butylnaphthalocyanine ([Formula: see text] 761 nm). The results are explained by DFT calculations and cyclic voltammetry.
Optical limiting of germanium(IV) and tin(IV) phthalocyanines in solution and polymer matrices and comparison to an indium(III) phthalocyanine
Authors: Slodek Aneta , Schnurpfeil Günter , Wöhrle Dieter
Published: January 2018

A series of peripheral and axial substituted germanium(IV) and tin(IV) phthalocyanines substituted by fluoro, chloro, nitro or phenoxy groups were prepared and characterized by their absorption spectra in solution and in polymer matrices. Multi-layer films of PMMA and PVC containing monomolecular Ge(IV) or Sn(IV) phthalocyanines were obtained by spin-coating from solution on glass plates. Optical limiting properties of these phthalocyanines in solution and in polymer films were investigated using the Z-scan technique at 532 nm. A known indium(III) phthalocyanine was also investigated to compare its optical limiting behavior with the Ge(IV) and Sn(IV) containing compounds. Ge(IV) and Sn(IV) phthalocyanines exhibit a better optical limiting performance in polymer matrices than in solution, which is interesting for practical applications.
A siloxyl bis-pocket thiolate-tailed Fe(III) porphyrin complex
Authors: Fang Ming , Wilson Scott R. , Suslick Kenneth S.
Published: January 2018

We report the synthesis and characterization of a bis-pocket iron(III) porphyrin complex that has a covalently attached siloxy thiolate group as the axial ligand. As a new cytochrome P450 model compound, this siloxyl bis-pocket thiolate-tailed iron(III) porphyrin is easily synthesized and is surprisingly stable under air due to the extreme steric protection of the siloxy pockets on both faces of the porphyrin. A single-crystal XRD structure has been determined; the Fe–S bond distance is 2.237 (7) Å with Fe–N bond distances of 2.100 (8) and the Fe is 0.5 Å out of the mean porphyrin plane. The Fe–S bond distance in the siloxy thiolate-tailed iron(III) porphyrin is very similar to that in cytochrome P450 and this structure represents a very rare crystallographically-characterized five-coordinate high spin alkylthiolate-tailed ferric porphyrin. EPR spectrum of this compound showed g values and an E/D ratio very similar to those of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzyme, demonstrating the importance of using a very basic thiolate group as the axial ligand in P450 model studies. UV-vis studies of its reduced form with carbon monoxide shows a hyper spectrum, which is characteristic of carbonyl complexes of Fe(II)porphyrin thiolates.
Synthesis, characterization and OFET property of four diaminouracil bridged novel ball-type phthalocyanines
Authors: Yazıcı Ayşegül , Avcı Ayşe , Altındal Ahmet , Salih Bekir , Bekaroğlu Özer
Published: January 2018

New ball-type metallobisphthalocyanines 2 (Co[Formula: see text]Pc[Formula: see text] and 3(Zn[Formula: see text]Pc[Formula: see text] were synthesized from the corresponding 4,4[Formula: see text]-[(5,6-diaminopyrimidine-2,4-diyl)bis(oxy)] diphytalonitril 1, which can be obtained by a nucleophilic displacement reaction of 4-nitrophthalonitrile with 5,6-diaminouracil sulfate. Characterization of novel compounds was performed by UV-vis, FT-IR, [Formula: see text]H-NMR, MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Organic field effect transistor devices (OFETs) with top gate structure were fabricated using these novel compounds as the active material. The devices were characterized by means of their output and transfer characteristics, and it was found that these OFET devices exhibit [Formula: see text]-type behavior. When compared with the 2-based device, the OFET with 3 showed higher field effect mobility and larger on/of current ratio.
Erosional valleys at a major Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous unconformity offshore Germany and The Netherlands: potential reservoirs or deteriorated seals?
Authors: Wolf Marco , Vis Annelieke , Asschert Annemiek
Published: January 2018

Joint results of two independent international studies on the erosional impact of the ‘Late Cimmerian Unconformity’ (LCU), a Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous erosional event, are presented. The potential impact on the reservoir and sealing potential of adjacent strata are discussed. Results are based on a seismic mapping campaign in the NE part of the Dutch offshore region and the Central German North Sea sector. The geological evolution of potential traps at the level of the LCU was studied to obtain a better understanding of reservoir potential. Erosion or leaching of the evaporitic Triassic intervals at the LCU caused a locally strong topographical relief with prominent elongated depressions along Permian salt structures (interpreted as erosional valleys). The infill of the erosional valleys may consist of remnants of initial strata as breccia or material from nearby eroded strata, possibly Lower Triassic sandstone or clays. These valleys may be overlain conformably by Upper Jurassic–Early Cretaceous sediments or may be filled with a combination of both. The lithological composition of the infill determines the sealing or the reservoir potential of the valleys, which is essential for further evaluation of the resource exploration possibilities in this locality and across the basin.
Estimating Large Delay Probabilities in Two Correlated Queues
Authors: Cahen Ewan Jacov , Mandjes Michel , Zwart Bert
Published: January 2018

This article focuses on evaluating the probability that both components of a two-dimensional stochastic process will ever, but not necessarily at the same time, exceed some large level
u
. An important application is in determining the probability of large delays occurring in two correlated queues. Since exact analysis of this probability seems prohibitive, we focus on deriving asymptotics and on developing efficient simulations techniques. Large deviations theory is used to characterise logarithmic asymptotics. The second part of this article focuses on efficient simulation techniques. Using “nearest-neighbour random walk” as an example, we first show that a “naive” implementation of importance sampling, based on the decay rate, is not asymptotically efficient. A different approach, which we call
partitioned
importance sampling, is developed and shown to be asymptotically efficient. The results are illustrated through various simulation experiments.