bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparison of SAC‐SMA and Adaptive Neuro‐fuzzy Inference System for real‐time flood forecasting in small urban catchments
Authors: Roodsari Babak K. , Chandler David G. , Kelleher Christa , Kroll Charles N.
Published: September 2018

Growing urbanisation and imperviousness have augmented magnitudes of peak flows, resulting in flooding especially during extreme events. Flood forecast of extreme events can rely on real‐time ensemble flood forecasting systems. Such systems often use predictions from physical models and precipitation ensembles to predict downstream urban flood hydrographs. However, these methods are seldom used in small catchments, where flood predictions may assist emergency management. We explore the relative utility of two models, the Sacramento Model (SAC‐SMA) and an adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) for ensemble flood prediction for nine small urban catchments located near New York City. The models were used to reforecast streamflow for Hurricane Irene (160 mm) and a 35 mm storm across lead times from 3 to 24 hr. Differences in performance between models were small for short (3 hr) lead times, and were similar for the 35 mm storm. Reforecasts of hurricane Irene at 24‐hr lead times show strong performance for SAC‐SMA, but a decline in performance for ANFIS. Model performance did not vary systematically with either catchment size or imperviousness. Our results suggest that model selection is especially important when reforecasting large rain events with longer lead times in small urban catchments.
Development and Validation of the Masculinity Contest Culture Scale
Authors: Glick Peter , Berdahl Jennifer L. , Alonso Natalya M.
Published: September 2018

We developed and validated a 20‐item Masculinity Contest Culture (MCC) scale as a workplace culture assessment. Participants indicated agreement or disagreement with workplace norm statements beginning with a common stem (“In my work environment…”). Exploratory (Study 1) and confirmatory (Study 2) factor analyses yielded four MCC subfactors: Show No Weakness, Strength and Stamina, Put Work First, and Dog Eat Dog. CFA and reliability analyses supported a second‐order factor (with four subfactors), consistent with an overarching (though multifaceted) masculinity contest construct. Across two studies in which individuals rated their work environments, the MCC correlated with: (a) negative organizational dynamics (e.g., poor culture and toxic leadership), (b) dominative coworker behaviors (e.g., bullying and harassment), (d) negative individual work attitudes (e.g., burnout, turnover intentions), and (e) poor personal well‐being. Results were generally consistent across studies and participant sex, suggesting that masculinity contest norms harm organizations and the men and women within them.
Zero‐Sum Thinking and the Masculinity Contest: Perceived Intergroup Competition and Workplace Gender Bias
Authors: Kuchynka Sophie L. , Bosson Jennifer K. , Vandello Joseph A. , Puryear Curtis
Published: September 2018

Gender‐based zero‐sum thinking reflects beliefs that women's status gains correspond directly with men's status losses. These beliefs may help explain people's resistance to gender equity. Here, two studies examined the association between men's zero‐sum thinking and workplace gender biases. In Study 1, men (N = 235) employed in workplaces with stronger masculinity contest norms reported observing stronger bias against women in the workplace, and this effect was mediated by an increase in their own zero‐sum thinking. In Study 2, college students (N = 269) read information that either threatened or affirmed the gender status hierarchy and then reported their zero‐sum thinking and their support for gender fair workplace policies that undermine the masculinity contest. Men, but not women, reduced support for gender fair policies following a gender hierarchy threat, and this effect was mediated by an increase in their zero‐sum thinking. Discussion considers the workplace policy implications of these findings.
Paeonia lactiflora Pall. regulates the NF-κB-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway to alleviate cholestasis in rats
Authors: Ma Xiao , Wen Jian-Xia , Gao Si-Jia , He Xuan , Li Peng-Yan , Yang Yu-Xue , Wei Shi-zhang , Zhao Yan-Ling , Xiao Xiao-He
Published: September 2018

Objectives

Cholestasis is a critical risk factor for severe hepatic disease or cirrhosis. The anti-inflammatory effect of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (PLP), named Chishao in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), on alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced cholestasis model was tried to be elucidated in this research.

Methods

Therapeutic effect indices on hepatic function, including ALT, AST, TBIL, DBIL, ALP, TBA and γ-GT, were measured. To further investigate the protective mechanism of PLP, the mRNA and protein expression levels of NF-κB-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway were detected.

Results

Our results showed that compared with the model group, PLP could significantly reduce the increased serum indices such as ALT, AST, TBIL, DBIL, ALP, TBA and γ-GT induced by ANIT in a dose-dependent way. Moreover, we found that PLP downregulated the mRNA expression levels including IKK, p65, NLRP3, caspase-1 and IL-1β, especially at the large dose. Furthermore, PLP also significantly inhibited NF-κB-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway by decreasing the protein levels of p65, p-p65, p-IKK, NLRP3, caspase-1 and IL-1β.

Conclusions

The results indicated that PLP could ameliorate ANIT-induced cholestasis in rats and the anti-inflammatory effect of PLP might be related to regulating NF-κB-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. This study will provide scientific evidence for PLP as a potential drug candidate for cholestasis.
Interface interactions between βγ‐crystallin domain and Ig‐like domain render Ca2+‐binding site inoperative in abundant perithecial protein of Neurospora crassa
Authors: Swaroop Srivastava Shanti , Raman Rajeev , Kiran Uday , Garg Rupsi , Chadalawada Swathi , Pawar Asmita D. , Sankaranarayanan Rajan , Sharma Yogendra
Published: September 2018

We describe a set of proteins in which a βγ‐crystallin domain pairs with an Ig‐like domain, and which are confined to microbes, like bacteria, slime molds and fungi. DdCAD‐1 (Ca2+‐dependent cell adhesion molecule‐1) and abundant perithecial protein (APP) represent this class of molecules. Using the crystal structure of APP‐NTD (N‐terminal domain of APP), we describe its mode of Ca2+ binding and provide a generalized theme for correct identification of the Ca2+‐binding site within this class of molecules. As a common feature, one of the two Ca2+‐binding sites is non‐functional in the βγ‐crystallin domains of these proteins. While APP‐NTD binds Ca2+ with a micromolar affinity which is comparable to DdCAD‐1, APP surprisingly does not bind Ca2+. Crystal structures of APP and Ca2+‐bound APP‐NTD reveal that the interface interactions in APP render its Ca2+‐binding site inoperative. Thus, heterodomain association provides a novel mode of Ca2+‐binding regulation in APP. Breaking the interface interactions (mutating Asp30Ala, Leu132Ala and Ile135Ala) or separation from the Ig‐like domain removes the constraints upon the required conformational transition and enables the βγ‐crystallin domain to bind Ca2+. In mechanistic detail, our work demonstrates an interdomain interface adapted to distinct functional niches in APP and its homolog DdCAD‐1.
Transformative elements of intercultural education for Japanese nursing students
Authors: Dodgson Joan E. , Yahiro Michiko , Melby Carolyn S. , Takeo Keiko , Tanaka Takamasa , Asano Hitoshi
Published: September 2018

There has been little research exploring Japanese nursing students' experiences of having Western instructors in their nursing programs. The purpose of the present study was to describe Japanese nursing students' lived experiences of being taught by foreign faculty. A qualitative design using an interpretive phenomenology approach was used with purposeful sampling. Graduate and undergraduate nursing students (n = 13), who had the experience of being taught by a foreign faculty member for at least one semester, were recruited. Six themes emerged that suggested the participants went through an evolutionary process as they worked to understand and make meaning of these intercultural experiences: struggling with uncertainty, working to understand, discovering differences in teaching styles, opening my eyes to the world, thinking differently now, and wanting to know more. The work students must do to understand foreign teachers influences what they are able to learn, and must be taken into consideration by both faculty and students. To fully realize meaningful teaching outcomes within this intercultural context, it is essential that students have sustained exposure to foreign faculty.
TRM4 is essential for cellulose deposition in Arabidopsis seed mucilage by maintaining cortical microtubule organization and interacting with CESA3
Authors: Yang Bo , Voiniciuc Cătălin , Fu Lanbao , Dieluweit Sabine , Klose Holger , Usadel Björn
Published: September 2018

The differentiation of the seed coat epidermal (SCE) cells in Arabidopsis thaliana leads to the production of a large amount of pectin‐rich mucilage and a thick cellulosic secondary cell wall. The mechanisms by which cortical microtubules are involved in the formation of these pectinaceous and cellulosic cell walls are still largely unknown.

Using a reverse genetic approach, we found that TONNEAU1 (TON1) recruiting motif 4 (TRM4) is implicated in cortical microtubule organization in SCE cells, and functions as a novel player in the establishment of mucilage structure.

TRM4 is preferentially accumulated in the SCE cells at the stage of mucilage biosynthesis. The loss of TRM4 results in compact seed mucilage capsules, aberrant mucilage cellulosic structure, short cellulosic rays and disorganized cellulose microfibrils in mucilage. The defects could be rescued by transgene complementation of trm4 alleles. Probably, this is a consequence of a disrupted organization of cortical microtubules, observed using fluorescently tagged tubulin proteins in trm4 SCE cells. Furthermore, TRM4 proteins co‐aligned with microtubules and interacted directly with CELLULOSE SYNTHASE 3 in two independent assays.

Together, the results indicate that TRM4 is essential for microtubule array organization and therefore correct cellulose orientation in the SCE cells, as well as the establishment of the subsequent mucilage architecture.
Discretion drift in primary care commissioning in England: Towards a conceptualization of hybrid accountability obligations
Authors: Gore Oz , McDermott Imelda , Checkland Kath , Allen Pauline , Moran Valerie
Published: September 2018

In the context of welfare delivery, hybrid organizations mix public and ‘new’ market, social, and professional types of mechanisms and rationales. This article contributes to our understanding of accountability within hybrid organizations by highlighting how accountability obligations can become hybrid, simultaneously formal and informal. Instead of seeing accountability as hybrid only in the sense of the coexistence of types of organizational mechanisms and structures (i.e., the prevalence of both state and market types), we examine accountability arrangements governing a hybrid model—primary care commissioning in England—and interrogate the relationships between accountability actors and their accountability forums. We conceptualize ‘hybrid accountability obligations’ as a state whereby the nature of obligation underpinning accountability relationships is both formal‐informal and vertical‐horizontal concurrently. The article concludes by highlighting the consequences of this kind of hybridity, namely how it extended discretion from welfare delivery to the domain of welfare governance.
Angiosarcoma arising from congenital primary lymphedema
Authors: Janssens Pauline , Dekeuleneer Valérie , Van Damme An , Brouillard Pascal , Revencu Nicole , Clapuyt Philippe , Ferreira Ingrid , Ballieux Fanny , Vikkula Miikka , Marot Liliane , Baeck Marie , Boon Laurence M.
Published: September 2018

We herein report the case of a 3‐year‐old girl with atypical congenital right upper limb lymphedema who developed an angiosarcoma. Only a few cases have been reported following congenital form of lymphedema and only 4 in such a young child. We also summarize all cases of angiosarcoma associated with congenital lymphedema reported in the literature.
Work environment risks for health care workers with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Bell Scott C. , Armstrong David , Harrington Glenys , Jardine Luke , Divakaran Rebekah , Loff Bebe , Middleton Peter G. , McDonald Tim , Rowland Karen , Wishart Michael , Wood Michelle E. , Stuart Rhonda L.
Published: September 2018

In Australia and New Zealand, >50% of people with cystic fibrosis (CF) are adults and many of these people are pursuing vocational training and undertaking paid employment. More than 6% of adults with CF are working in health care. There is limited guidance in literature to support health care workers with CF (HCWcf) in training and in employment to support safe practice and to provide protection for themselves and their patients from the acquisition of health care associated infection. A multidisciplinary team of CF and Infectious Disease Clinicians, Infection Prevention and Control Practitioners, HCWcf, academic experts in medical ethics and representatives from universities, appraised the available evidence on the risk posed to and by HCWcf. Specific recommendations were made for HCWcf, CF health care teams, hospitals and universities to support the safe practice and appropriate support for HCWcf.
Influence of sampling rate on voice analysis for assessment of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Wu Kebin , Zhang David , Lu Guangming , Guo Zhenhua
Published: September 2018

Parkinson's diagnosis through voice analysis (PDVA) has been attracting increasing attention. In this paper, the influence of sampling rate on PDVA is studied. By analyzing the main difficulties that hamper the development of PDVA, the significance of seeking guidelines on sampling rate is discussed. Then voices from both healthy controls and patients with Parkinson's disease are recorded, for which the sampling rate used is given special consideration. Recordings of other sampling rates are generated via down sampling the recorded voices. Then it is proposed to adopt six metrics from four levels to assess the impacts of sampling rate, which are information entropy, reconstruction error, feature correlation, classification accuracy, computational cost, and the storage cost. Through extensive experiments, basic guideline to seek an appropriate sampling rate is provided. It is concluded that a sampling rate of 96 kHz is preferred when no limits of storage and computational costs are imposed. However, a lower sampling rate may be needed if the storage size and computational complexity are the main concerns.
Compressive sensing method to leverage prior information for submerged target echoes
Authors: Sun Tongjing , Blondel Philippe , Jia Bing , Li Guijuan , Gao Enwei
Published: September 2018

Reducing data volume and improving signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is of great importance for echoes from submerged targets, affected by serious marine environment noise. The echo from a target is made of its response to the incident wave with the superposition of highlights (sub-echoes from main constituents of the target). Each of these highlights can be seen as a block, and the echo therefore has a block-sparse feature. This paper proposes a compressive sensing method to leverage prior information (CSPI), in which knowledge of the incident wave and the block-sparse feature are leveraged into the dictionary structure and signal reconstruction. CSPI is illustrated with simulations and field measurements of backscattering for a 1:20 model of the Benchmark Target Strength Simulation Submarine. For simulated signals with different noise levels, CSPI can reconstruct an almost invisible signal (original SNR = 0 dB), and improve SNR by up to 13 dB (for an original SNR of 4 dB) down to a still significant SNR of 7 dB (for an original SNR of 0 dB). For field measurements, CSPI can obtain the same SNR as the original signal using only 13% of the data, increasing the SNR to 15 dB using 30% data, and increasing with the compression ratio.
Programmable wettability on photocontrolled graphene film
Authors: Wang Jie , Gao Wei , Zhang Han , Zou Minhan , Chen Yongping , Zhao Yuanjin
Published: September 2018

We fabricated a paraffin-infused porous graphene film with programmable wettability for the spatiotemporal droplet manipulation.
Gaia 2.0
Authors: Lenton Timothy M. , Latour Bruno
Published: September 2018

Could humans add some level of self-awareness to Earth's self-regulation?
A FRESH approach: Combining basic science and social good
Authors: Ndung’u Thumbi , Dong Krista L. , Kwon Douglas S. , Walker Bruce D.
Published: September 2018

A program to study HIV infection is empowering African women.
Type I Interferon Signaling Prevents Hepatitis B Virus-Specific T Cell Responses by Reducing Antigen Expression
Authors: Kawashima Keigo , Isogawa Masanori , Hamada-Tsutsumi Susumu , Baudi Ian , Saito Satoru , Nakajima Atsushi , Tanaka Yasuhito
Published: September 2018

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes acute and chronic infection, and approximately 240 million people are chronically infected with HBV worldwide. It is generally believed that virus-specific CD8
+
T cell responses are required for the clearance of HBV. However, the relative contributions of genetic variation and innate immune responses to the induction of HBV-specific CD8
+
T cell responses are not fully understood. In this study, we discovered that different clearance rates between HBV clones after hydrodynamic transduction were associated with the magnitude of HBV-specific CD8
+
T cell responses and initial HB core antigen expression. Surprisingly, type I interferon signaling negatively regulated HBV-specific CD8
+
T cell responses by reducing early HBV antigen expression. These results show that the magnitude of the HBV-specific CD8
+
T cell response is regulated primarily by the initial antigen expression level.
Recombinant Infectious Bronchitis Viruses Expressing Chimeric Spike Glycoproteins Induce Partial Protective Immunity against Homologous Challenge despite Limited ReplicationIn Vivo
Authors: Ellis Samantha , Keep Sarah , Britton Paul , de Wit Sjaak , Bickerton Erica , Vervelde Lonneke
Published: September 2018

Infectious bronchitis virus causes an acute, highly contagious respiratory disease, responsible for significant economic losses to the poultry industry. Amino acid differences in the surface protein, spike (S), in particular the S1 subunit, have been associated with poor cross-protection. Available vaccines give poor cross-protection and rationally designed live attenuated vaccines, based on apathogenic BeauR, could address these. Here, to determine the role of S1 in protection, a series of homologous vaccination trials with rIBVs were conducted. Single vaccinations with chimeric rIBVs induced virus-specific partial protective immunity, characterized by reduction in viral load and serum antibody titers. However, BeauR-M41(S) was the only vaccination to improve the level of protection against clinical signs and the loss of tracheal ciliary activity. Growth characteristics show that all of the rIBVs replicatedin vitroto similar levels. Booster vaccinations and an rIBV with improvedin vivoreplication may improve the levels of protection.
Uncommon cause of chest pain in a postoperative spinal patient
Authors: Dwivedi Rajesh
Published: September 2018

An 84-year-old woman with previous spinal operations including vertebroplasty and lumbar decompressions was admitted electively under the spinal team for right-sided L4/5 decompression for worsening back pain which she undergoes using a posterior approach. Postoperatively, she develops stabbing upper central chest pain and given unremarkable chest X-ray, ECG and cardiac troponin, she undergoes a CT pulmonary angiogram which shows a fracture of the upper part of sternum but no pulmonary embolism. There is no history of recent trauma and this is deemed to be secondary to prolonged spinal surgery in the prone position in a patient with osteopenic bones. To date, we have not come across a case of spontaneous sternal fracture as a complication of spinal surgery at our regional spinal unit. Most cases of sternal fractures are secondary to blunt anterior chest wall trauma with spontaneous fractures and stress fractures being rare.
Cytomegalovirus-associated haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: a rare cause of febrile neutropenia during cancer chemotherapy
Authors: Bergmann Kristin , Møller Hanne Elisabeth Højsgaard , Bergmann Olav Jonas
Published: September 2018

Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a common complication in patients with cancer during treatment with antineoplastic drugs. The initial cause is usually bacterial, and treatment of FN follows well-defined algorithms. We report a case of a 62-year-old patient with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), who developed FN, which was unresponsive to both empirical antibacterial and empirical antifungal therapy. Surprisingly, a diagnosis of the life-threatening condition haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) associated with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection was made and treated successfully. CMV-associated HLH has not previously been described in patients with CLL treated with rituximab and bendamustine. It is concluded that HLH should be considered in patients with cancer with FN not responding to conventional antibiotic therapy.
Effects of training and competition on the sleep of elite athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Roberts Spencer Stuart Haines , Teo Wei-Peng , Warmington Stuart Anthony
Published: September 2018

Objectives

To characterise the sleep of elite athletes and to identify factors associated with training and competition that negatively affect sleep.

Design

Prognosis systematic review.

Data sources

Three databases (PubMed, SCOPUS and SPORTDiscus) were searched from inception to 26 February 2018.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

Included studies objectively reported total sleep time (TST) and/or sleep efficiency (SE) in elite athletes. Studies were required to be observational or to include an observational trial.

Results

Fifty-four studies were included. During training, many studies reported athletes were unable to achieve TST (n=23/41) and/or SE (n=16/37) recommendations. On the night of competition, most studies reported athletes were unable to achieve TST (n=14/18) and/or SE (n=10/16) recommendations. TST was shorter (60 min) the night of competition compared with previous nights. SE was lower (1%) the night of competition compared with the previous night. TST was shorter the night of night competition (start ≥18:00; 80 min) and day competition (20 min) compared with the previous night. SE was lower (3%–4%) the night of night competition but unchanged the night of day competition compared with previous nights. Early morning training (start <07:00), increases in training load (>25%), late night/early morning travel departure times, eastward air travel and altitude ascent impaired sleep.

Conclusion

Athletes were often unable to achieve sleep recommendations during training or competition periods. Sleep was impaired the night of competition compared with previous nights. Early morning training, increases in training load, travel departure times, jet lag and altitude can impair athletes’ sleep.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42017074367.
Long-term exposure to air pollutants from multiple sources and mortality in an industrial area: a cohort study
Authors: Bauleo Lisa , Bucci Simone , Antonucci Chiara , Sozzi Roberto , Davoli Marina , Forastiere Francesco , Ancona Carla
Published: September 2018

Background and aims

Residents near industrial areas are exposed to several toxins from various sources and the assessment of the health effects is difficult. The area of Civitavecchia (Italy) has several sources of environmental contamination with potential health effects. We evaluated the association between exposure to pollutants from multiple sources and mortality in a cohort of people living in the area.

Methods

All residents of the area in 1996 were enrolled (from municipal registers) and followed until 2013. Long-term exposures to emissions from industrial sources (PM10) and traffic (NOx) at the residential addresses were assessed using a dispersion model. Residence close to the harbour was also considered. Cox survival analysis was conducted including a linear term for industrial PM10 and NOx exposure and a dichotomous variable to indicate residence within 500 m of the harbour. Age, sex, calendar period, occupation and area-based socioeconomic position (SEP) were considered (HRs, 95% CI).

Results

71 362 people were enrolled (52% female, 43% low SEP) and 14 844 died during the follow-up. We found an association between industrial PM10 and mortality from non-accidental causes (HR=1.06, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.12), all cancers (HR=1.11, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.21) and cardiac diseases (HR=1.12, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.23). We also found an association between NOx exposure from traffic and mortality from all cancers (HR=1.13, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.26) and neurological diseases (HR=1.50, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.20). Living near the harbour was associated with higher mortality from lung cancer (HR=1.31, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.66) and neurological diseases (HR=1.51, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.18).

Conclusions

Estimated exposures to different pollution sources in this area were independently associated with several mortality outcomes while adjusting for occupation and socioeconomic status.
Interaction of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) polymorphisms and occupational hazards increases the risk of hypertension in coke oven workers
Authors: Zheng Jin-Ping , Lyu Yi , Li Rui-fang , Tian Feng-jie , Mu Jian-bing
Published: September 2018

Objectives

The interaction between genetic, epigenetic inheritance and environmental factors determines susceptibility to hypertension. Previous epidemiology studies have shown that coke oven workers who are frequently exposed to various occupational hazards have remarkable increase in the risk for hypertension. Among many genetic variants identified in hypertension, heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) was found to play important roles in the pathogenesis of hypertension and associated diseases. We therefore explore the possible role of HSP70 polymorphisms and their interaction with occupational environment in hypertension risk.

Methods

We carried out a case–control study among 367 coke oven workers in northwest China, focused on three common HSP70 polymorphisms (HSP70-1 G190C, HSP70-2 A1267G and HSP70-hom T2437C), and evaluated the association of HSP70 gene polymorphisms with work sites for high risk of hypertension.

Results

The results indicated that HSP70-1 GC and CC genotype had 2.73-fold and 4.26-fold increased relative risk (95% CI 1.33 to 5.55 and 1.17 to 15.53), respectively, comparing with HSP70-1 GG genotype. HSP70-2 AG and GG conferred a 47% and 36% reduced risk (95% CI 0.23 to 0.99 and 0.14 to 0.92) comparing with HSP70-2 AA genotype. Further analysis of the interaction of HSP70 polymorphisms with occupational environment indicated a strong positive interaction between HSP70 genotype (HSP70-1 GC+CC, HSP70-2 AA and HSP70-hom TC+CC) and oven top workplace.

Conclusions

Collectively, these data indicate that HSP70 polymorphisms interact with occupational hazards might increase the risk of hypertension in coke oven workers.
Alleviating mechanical constraints to ventilation with heliox improves exercise endurance in adult survivors of very preterm birth
Authors: Duke Joseph W , Zidron Amy M , Gladstone Igor M , Lovering Andrew T
Published: September 2018

Adult survivors of very preterm birth (PRET) have significantly lower aerobic exercise capacities than their counterparts born at term (CONT), but the underlying cause is unknown. To test whether expiratory flow limitation (EFL) during exercise negatively affects exercise endurance in PRET, we had PRET and CONT exercise to exhaustion breathing air and again breathing heliox. In PRET, EFL decreased and time-to-exhaustion increased significantly while breathing heliox. Heliox had a minimal effect on EFL and had no effect on time-to-exhaustion in CONT. We conclude that aerobic exercise endurance in PRET is limited, in part, by mechanical ventilatory constraints, specifically EFL.
The WHO FCTC and global governance: effects and implications for future global public health instruments
Authors: McInerney Thomas F
Published: September 2018

Introduction

This article analyses experience with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in the context of global governance. It examines ways in which the WHO FCTC has been addressed by international institutions, particularly within the UN system at the international and national levels. It seeks to understand the extent to which the WHO FCTC as an international legal obligation has contributed to its integration in the strategies, policies and programmes of UN system organisations.

Methods

The article examines documentation reflecting global governance responses to tobacco control since the Convention’s entry into force in 2005. It also considers discussions with officials involved in the design and management of various UN initiatives. Finally, it draws on the findings of the Expert Group on the Impact Assessment of the WHO FCTC.

Conclusions

The influence of the WHO FCTC in global governance can be at least partially attributed to its status as an international legal obligation. While tobacco control would have likely been a priority in international public health even in the absence of the WHO FCTC, the importance of tobacco control has been relatively greater as a result of the treaty. In assessing the potential utility of any future global public health instrument, it is important to consider the need to mobilise action by other global governance institutions and ensure that the chosen instrument will be capable of stimulating such action.
Andrew Coulson
Authors: Coulson Arlene
Published: September 2018

In a veterinary career spanning 40 years, he worked in mixed practice, industry and the public sector before continuing to hold veterinary‐related public appointments in retirement.
Spatial Multi-Criteria Analysis in Environmental Assessment: A Review and Reflection on Benefits and Limitations
Authors: Gonzalez Ainhoa , Enríquez-de-Salamanca Álvaro
Published: September 2018

Anticipating and avoiding adverse environmental effects resulting from land-use changes and other anthropogenic interventions is the key objective of environmental assessment (EA). EA requires consideration of multiple environmental criteria to establish the receiving environment’s sensitivity and capacity to absorb change. With the increasing availability of and accessibility to spatial data, the adoption of spatial multi-criteria analysis, also known as GIS–MCA, has become a prominent technique to support EA. Using two diverging case studies, this paper reflects upon the advantages and disadvantages of applying GIS–MCA in EA reported in literature. While the significant contribution of this approach to increasing objectivity, transparency and accountability is corroborated, it is recognised that there is no one-fits-all solution. The widespread application of GIS–MCA calls for further research on the effects that methodological assumptions and data limitations may have at various planning hierarchies and decisions, and how these can be addressed to optimise the value of this technique in EA.
Structural Reliability Analysis with Inverse Credibility Distributions
Authors: Dutta Palash
Published: September 2018

In structural reliability analysis, parameters of reliability analysis models are more often vague/imprecise or many times intuitively illustrated through linguistic expressions, so the conformist evaluation techniques cannot efficiently lever the vagueness and ambiguity exist in reliability parameters which fetch the problem of huge computationally complex and meagre accuracy. Keeping all these deficiencies in mind, this present paper proposes a novel structural reliability analysis technique through inverse credibility distributions with the intention to obtain the precision and efficiency of structural reliability. Finally, some structural reliability analysis problems are solved in this setting.
Subspace code based on flats in affine space over finite fields
Authors: Niu Min-Yao , Wang Gang , Gao You , Fu Fang-Wei
Published: September 2018

Subspace code is very useful in the error correction for random network coding. In this paper, subspace code based on flats in affine space over finite fields is constructed. Sphere-packing bound, Wang–Xing–Safavi-Naini bound, anticode bound, Ahlswede–Aydinian bound and Gilbert–Varshamov bound for the size of code based on flats in affine space over finite fields are provided. Finally, we introduce another method of obtaining the anticode bound for the size of code based on flats in affine space from Erdős–Ko–Rado theorem.
Binary and ternary LCD codes from projective spaces
Authors: Seneviratne Pani , Melcher Lauren
Published: September 2018

We construct binary and ternary Linear Complementary Dual (LCD) codes with parameters [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Further, we derive and study properties of a class of two, three and four weight codes [Formula: see text]. We show that under suitable conditions [Formula: see text] codes are self-orthogonal and satisfy the Griesmer bound.
Geochemical footprint of the Millennium unconformity-type uranium deposit, Canada: implications for vectoring new targets
Authors: Guffey S. , Piercey S. , Ansdell K. , Kyser K. , Kotzer T. , Quirt D. , Zaluski G.
Published: September 2018

The Millennium deposit, a
c.
650-m deep monomineralic uranium deposit, is located in the southeastern Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, a region containing numerous high-grade unconformity-type U deposits. 3D modelling of the whole-rock lithogeochemistry of sandstones above the deposit reveals a distinct footprint with select major and trace elements showing increased concentrations towards mineralization. Molar Mg/K ratios increase from background levels 10 km north of the deposit, along the B1 conductive trend, whereas Mo, Co, Rb, and Ga exhibit elevated concentrations immediately above the deposit, extending vertically from the unconformity to surface. Lead, Ag, Bi, Sb, REE, and Y exhibit elevated concentrations up to 650 m above the main mineralized body. Increasing Mg/K values indicate the transition from diagenetic to hydrothermal alteration with shifts from illitic (K-dominant) to chloritic and dravitic (Mg-dominant) alteration, with the latter increasing more proximal to mineralization. Trace element enrichment patterns highlight that fractures and faults were conduits for fluid flow from the basement into the basin, both during ore formation and through tectonically driven post-depositional remobilization. Key indicators such as molar element ratios (Mg-K-Al) and trace elements related to redox reactions provide scalable vectors at the Millennium deposit that are likely applicable to similar unconformity-type U deposits elsewhere.
How do Gender, Learning Goals, and Forum Participation Predict Persistence in a Computer Science MOOC?
Authors: Crues R. Wes , Henricks Genevieve M. , Perry Michelle , Bhat Suma , Anderson Carolyn J. , Shaik Najmuddin , Angrave Lawrence
Published: September 2018

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)—in part, because of their free, flexible, and relatively anonymous nature—may provide a means for helping overcome the large gender gap in Computer Science (CS). This study examines why women and men chose to enroll in a CS MOOC and how this is related to successful behavior in the course by (a) using k-means clustering to explore the reasons why women and men enrolled in this MOOC and then (b) analyzing if these reasons are related to forum participation and, ultimately, persistence in the course. Findings suggest that women and men have different reasons for taking this CS MOOC, and they persist at different rates, an outcome that is moderated by forum participation.
Spline Interface for Intuitive Skinning Weight Editing
Authors: Bang Seungbae , Lee Sung-Hee
Published: September 2018

Despite the recent advances in automatic methods for computing skinning weights, manual intervention is still indispensable to produce high-quality character deformation. However, current modeling software does not provide efficient tools for the manual definition of skinning weights. Widely used paint-based interfaces give users high degrees of freedom, but at the expense of significant efforts and time. This article presents a novel interface for editing skinning weights based on splines, which represent the isolines of skinning weights on a mesh. When a user drags a small number of spline anchor points, our method updates the shape of the isolines and smoothly interpolates or propagates the weights while respecting the given iso-value on the spline. We introduce several techniques to enable the interface to run in real-time and propose a particular combination of functions that generates appropriate skinning weight over the surface. Users can create skinning weights from scratch by using our method. In addition, we present the spline and the gradient fitting methods that closely approximate initial given weights, so that a user can modify the weights with our spline interface. We show the effectiveness of our spline-based interface through a number of test cases.
Technical Perspective:
Authors: Konda Pradap , Das Sanjib , Suganthan G.C. Paul , Martinkus Philip , Ardalan Adel , Ballard Jeffrey R. , Govind Yash , Li Han , Panahi Fatemah , Zhang Haojun , Naughton Jeff , Prasad Shishir , Krishnan Ganesh , Deep Rohit , Raghavendra Vijay
Published: September 2018

Entity matching (EM) has been a long-standing challenge in data management. Most current EM works focus only on developing matching algorithms. We argue that far more efforts should be devoted to building EM systems. We discuss the limitations of current EM systems, then describe Magellan, a new kind of EM system. Magellan is novel in four important aspects. (1) It provides how-to guides that tell users what to do in each EM scenario, step by step. (2) It provides tools to help users execute these steps; the tools seek to cover the entire EM pipeline, not just blocking and matching as current EM systems do. (3) Tools are built into the Python open-source data science ecosystem, allowing Magellan to borrow a rich set of capabilities in data cleaning, IE, visualization, learning, etc. (4) Magellan provides a powerful scripting environment to facilitate interactive experimentation and quick "patching" of the system. We describe research challenges and present extensive experiments that show the promise of the Magellan approach.
Tracking and Controlling Microservice Dependencies
Authors: Esparrachiari Silvia , Reilly Tanya , Rentz Ashleigh
Published: September 2018

Dependency cycles will be familiar to you if you have ever locked your keys inside your house or car. You can’t open the lock without the key, but you can’t get the key without opening the lock. Some cycles are obvious, but more complex dependency cycles can be challenging to find before they lead to outages. Strategies for tracking and controlling dependencies are necessary for maintaining reliable systems.
A heartfelt message, estrogen replacement therapy: use it or lose it
Authors: Speth Robert C. , D’Ambra Mikayla , Ji Hong , Sandberg Kathryn
Published: September 2018

The issue of cardiovascular and cognitive health in women is complex. During the premenopausal phase of life, women have healthy blood pressure levels that are lower than those of age-matched men, and they have less cardiovascular disease. However, in the postmenopausal stage of life, blood pressure in women increases, and they are increasingly susceptible to cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairments, and dementia, exceeding the incidence in men. The major difference between pre- and postmenopausal women is the loss of estrogen. Thus, it seemed logical that postmenopausal estrogen replacement therapy, with or without progestin, generally referred to as menopausal hormone treatment (MHT), would prevent these adverse sequelae. However, despite initially promising results, a major randomized clinical trial refuted the benefits of MHT, leading to its falling from favor. However, reappraisal of this study in the framework of a “critical window,” or “timing hypothesis,” has changed our perspective on the benefit-to-risk ratio of MHT, and this review discusses the historical, current, and future approaches to MHT.
Tefillin use induces remote ischemic preconditioning pathways in healthy men
Authors: Owens A. Phillip , Robbins Nathan , Saum Keith , Jones Shannon M. , Kirschner Akiva , Woo Jessica G. , McCoy Connie , Slone Samuel , Rothenberg Marc E. , Urbina Elaine M. , Tranter Michael , Rubinstein Jack
Published: September 2018

The present study assessed whether tefillin use (tight, nonocclusive, wrapping of the arm) elicits a remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC)-like effect in subjects with both acute and chronic use. RIPC, created by short bursts of ischemia-reperfusion, has not been successfully taken to the bedside. Several large population studies have found that Orthodox Jewish men (who wear tefillin almost daily) have decreased cardiovascular mortality compared with non-Orthodox counterparts. We hypothesized that tefillin use is a relevant component in triggering a preconditioning effect. Jewish men ( n = 20) were enrolled; 9 men were daily tefillin users (conditioned) and 11 men were nonusers of tefillin as controls (naïve). Subjects were evaluated for adherence to traditional Jewish practice, had vital signs measured, blood drawn for analysis of circulating cytokines and monocyte function, and underwent brachial flow-mediated dilation to evaluate vascular reactivity at baseline (basal) and after 30 min of using tefillin (acute treatment). Under basal conditions, both groups had similar peak systolic velocity (SV), diameter, and flow volume, although the conditioned group had higher SV at 120 s postdeflation ( P = 0.05). Acute tefillin use augmented artery diameter and flow volume in both groups, with conditioned subjects experiencing higher SV than control subjects at 90 and 120 s postdeflation ( P = 0.03 and P = 0.02, respectively). Conditioned subjects had decreased inflammation, monocyte migration and adhesion, and endothelial activation compared with control subjects at baseline. Acute use of tefillin did not significantly alter monocyte function in either group. In this pilot study, acute tefillin use improves vascular function, whereas chronic tefillin use is associated with an anti-inflammatory RIPC-like phenotype.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We hypothesized that tefillin use among Orthodox Jewish men (who practice a nonocclusive leather banding of their nondominant arm) will induce a remote ischemic preconditioning phenotype. Chronic use of tefillin in Orthodox Jewish men was associated with increased systolic velocity and attenuated inflammation and monocyte chemotaxis and adhesion versus Jewish men who do not wear tefillin. Acute use of tefillin in both populations augmented brachial artery diameter and blood flow but not inflammatory profiles compared with baseline.
Intersection between gonadal function and vascular aging in women
Authors: Moreau Kerrie L.
Published: September 2018

Vascular aging, characterized by endothelial dysfunction and large elastic arterial stiffening, is a major risk factor for age-associated cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although women have a lower prevalence of CVD until midlife, prevalence rates increase rapidly coincident with the menopausal transition to match those observed in men. The menopausal transition, or perimenopause, is a chaotic period that is associated with increased symptoms (e.g., hot flashes, depressed mood, anxiety, sleep disturbances) and CVD risk factors due to changes in the hormonal environment. Because these quality of life factors and CVD risk factors also change with aging, the arteries of women appear to endure a double insult. Our laboratory has been investigating how changes in gonadal function and hormone levels with the menopause transition impacts the vascular aging process in healthy women. Our work has shown that vascular endothelial function progressively declines, and large elastic arterial stiffness is greater across the stages of the menopausal transition. This acceleration in vascular aging may be due to the loss of vasodilatory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative effects of estradiol on the vascular wall. This minireview discusses the impact of changes in gonadal function and hormones with the menopausal transition on vascular aging in women and areas for investigations to further our understanding of the intersection between gonadal function and vascular aging.
Prediction of the Risk of Laparoscopy-Assisted Gastrectomy by Comparing Visceral Fat Area and Body Mass Index
Authors: Liu Yongke , Guo Dong , Niu Zhaojian , Wang Yuliang , Fu Guanghua , Zhou Yanbing , Xue Qingkai , Jin Xinliang , Gong Zhiqi
Published: September 2018

Propose. The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of visceral fat area (VFA) and body mass index (BMI) in predicting the risk of laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy. Methods. Clinicopathological and imaging data of 133 patients who underwent laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy were recorded, including 17 cases of conversion to open surgery. The remaining 116 patients were retrospectively analyzed after we excluded 17 patients who had been transferred to laparotomy. The patients were divided into two groups according to BMI (≤25 kg/m2: BMI-L group; >25 kg/m2: BMI-H group) and VFA (≤100 cm2: VFA-L group; >100 cm2: VFA-H group). Clinical outcomes were compared between the BMI and VFA subgroups. Results. There were no differences in intraoperative blood loss and the number of harvested lymph nodes between low and high patients defined by BMI and VFA (p>0.050). However, in the comparison of patients who underwent laparoscopic resection only, it was found that the operation time and intraoperative blood loss of the VFA-H group were more than those of the VFA-L group (p<0.050). Compared to the VFA-L group, the VFA-H group had later first exhaust time (p=0.018), more complications (p<0.001), and longer hospital stays (p=0.049). However, no similar conclusion was obtained in the BMI group (p>0.050). Conclusion. This study demonstrates that VFA better evaluates the difficulty of laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy and the risk of postoperative complications than BMI.