bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal disaggregation of economic time series: The view from the trenches
Authors: Quilis Enrique M.
Published: July 2018

We analyze temporal disaggregation from the point of view of practitioners working as producers of official statistics or as nowcasters. According to this view, applicability, computational feasibility, robustness, and ease of communication are key aspects of temporal disaggregation in addition to statistical soundness and flexibility. We review the models used as a workhorse of this approach, exploring in detail their similitudes and differences. All the models and techniques are examined through the lens of a complete set of MATLAB functions that have been developed for their use in a production model. A real‐time database comprising the Great Recession period is used to evaluate the alternative models and attribute the revisions to changes in the benchmark, seasonal adjustment, and extrapolations.
Culture: The Driving Force of Human Cognition
Authors: Colagè Ivan , d'Errico Francesco
Published: July 2018

It is often, though sometimes only implicitly, assumed that biological/genetic evolution sets neural substrates, that neural substrates fix cognitive abilities, and that cognitive abilities determine the spectrum of cultural practices exhibited by a biological species. We label this view as the “bottom‐up‐only” view. In this paper we will show that such a “chain of dependence” is much looser than usually assumed, especially as far as recent periods (the last 800,000 years vs. the last 7 million years or more) are considered. We will provide evidence and arguments supporting the idea that cultural innovation may have direct and ascertainable effects both on the cognitive capabilities of populations of hominins (via what we call “cultural exaptation”) and on the neural substrates of the individuals in those populations (via what we call “cultural neural reuse”). Together, cultural exaptation and cultural neural reuse may give raise to a plausible general mechanism for cognitive evolution in which culture is the driving force, thus offering a “top‐down‐also” view of human evolution.
THE EFFECT OF TAPIOCA-BASED EDIBLE COATING ENRICHED WITH NISIN ON QUALITY OF PATIN (PANGASIUS HYPOPHTHALMUS) FILLET DURING COLD STORAGE
Authors: Utami Rohula , Nursiwi Asri , Wohon Nadia
Published: July 2018

The effect of tapioca-based edible coating enriched with nisin in preserving the quality of patin fish fillet during cold stored (410C) for 16 days was evaluated. The examination was conducted including Total Plate Count (TPC), pH, TVB (Total Volatile Base), and TBA (Thiobarbituric Acid) values. The results showed that the tapioca-based edible coating enriched with nisin significantly has affected the TPC, TVB, and TBA values, and insignificantly affected the pH of patin fillets samples. The higher nisin activity on the tapioca-based edible coating solutions, the better effect on maintaining the quality of patin fish fillets. Enrichment of nisin at 2000 IU/ ml on tapioca-based edible coating solution could maintain the patin fish fillets quality during 16th day stored at 410C.
SILVER ADDITIONS INFLUENCE ON BIOMEDICAL POROUS TI-NI SMAS FABRICATED BY MICROWAVE SINTERING
Authors: Ibrahim Mustafa K. , Hamzah Esah , Saud Safaa N. , Nazim E. M. , Bahador Abdollah
Published: July 2018

Ti-Ni and Ti-Ni-Ag shape memory alloys (SMAs) were prepared by microwave sintering. In Ti (49 -%Ag)-Ni51-Ag (atomic percentage), the silver was added with three percentages of (0.246, 0.5 and 1.51) at. %, respectively. The influence of Ag addition on the microstructure, phase composition, transformation temperatures and mechanical properties were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and compression test. The microstructure shows needles and plates inside Ti-rich region. The R phase appears at the plane (-112) and the plane (300). This phase has appeared during cooling and heating of the baseline of DSC test. The compression strain at maximum strength was improved, while the compression strength was reduced. The highest compressive strain was for the sample with 0.246 at. % Ag. The elastic modulus decreases with the increasing of Ag content. The elastic modulus of these alloys was low that make it proper for biomedical applications such as natural human bone due to the sintering method and also improve by adding silver.
CAD TOOLS AND FILE FORMAT PERFORMANCE EVALUATION IN DESIGNING LATTICE STRUCTURES FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
Authors: Azman Abdul Hadi , Vignat Frédéric , Villeneuve François
Published: July 2018

Additive manufacturing has opened the door to the creation of lightweight lattice structures. However, present Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) software are unsuitable for these types of structures. The objective of this research is to examine the performances of current CAD and CAE software to design lattice structures and to demonstrate their limitations and propose requirements for future developments. A performance evaluation of a case study for lattice structure designs was conducted. The criteria used for the evaluation were CAD human-machine-interface, RAM consumption, data exchange between CAD, CAE and CAM tools and finite element analysis (FEA) duration and file sizes. The CAD tool was incapable of executing a repetition function for octet-truss lattice structures of 150 x 150 x 150 mm dimensions or larger and the software stopped working. For 70 × 70 × 70 mm octet-truss lattice structure, the FEA computation ﬁle size reached 36.6 GB. The CAD file size of a 200 x 200 x 200 mm octet-truss lattice structure reached nearly 290 MB. In conclusion, this study exposes the performance inadequacy of current CAD and CAE tools and CAD file formats to design lattice structures for additive manufacturing parts.
A family of recurrence generated sigmoidal functions based on the Log-logistic function. Some approximation aspects
Authors: Kyurkchiev Nikolay , Markov Svetoslav
Published: July 2018

In this note we construct a family of recurrence generated sigmoidal functions based on the Log--logistic function. The study of some biochemical reactions is linked to a precise Log--logistic function analysis.We prove estimates for the Hausdorff approximation of the Heaviside step function by means of this family. Numerical examples, illustrating our results are given. The plots are prepared using CAS Mathematica.
Foreword to BIOMATH 2017 Proceedings: Some comments on mathematical modelling and biomathematics.
Authors: Banasiak Jacek
Published: July 2018

Both biology and mathematics have existed as well established branches of science for hundreds of years and both, maybe not in a well defined way, have been with the humankind for a couple of thousands of years.  Though nature  was studied by the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indian subcontinent and China, the origins of modern biology are typically traced back to the ancient Greece, where Aristotle (384-322 BC) contributed most extensively to its development. Similarly,  the  ancient Babylonians were able to solve quadratic equation over four millennia ago and we can see the development of mathematical methods in all ancient civilisations, notably in China and on the Indian subcontinent. However, possibly again the Greeks were the first who studied mathematics for its own sake, as a collection of abstract objects and relations between them.  Nevertheless, despite the fact that the development  of such a mathematics has not required any external stimuli, an amazing feature of the human mind is that a large number of abstract mathematical constructs has proved to be very well suited for describing natural phenomena.This prompted Eugene Wigner to write his famous article The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Mathematics in the Natural Sciences,  ...
Good performance of liver stiffness measurement in the prediction of postoperative hepatic decompensation in patients with cirrhosis complicated with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Procopet Bogdan , Fischer Petra , Horhat Adelina , Mois Emil , Stefanescu Horia , Comsa Mihai , Graur Florin , Bartos Adrian , Lupsor-Platon Monica , Badea Radu , Grigorescu Mircea , Tantau Marcel , Sparchez Zeno , Al Hajjar Nadim
Published: July 2018

The evaluation of patients with early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) referred for liver resection is still a matter of debate. Aims: 1) to compare liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by transient elastography with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) in the prediction of decompensation after liver resection in patients with cirrhosis and early HCC; 2) to identify which definition for posthepatectomy liver failure is better associated with survival.Material and methods: Fifty-one patients (MELD score of 10±3) were included. In this group, 34 patients underwent HVPG measurement, of which 13 (38%) had clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) and 35 patients underwent LSM (21.8±17.9 kPa). The study’s end-points were: posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) defined according to International Study Group of Liver Surgery criteria and 3-month decompensation defined as de novo ascites, variceal bleeding, jaundice, hepatic encephalopathy and acute kidney injury. The performance of LSM compared to HVPG in predicting the end-points were assessed by AUROC curves and accuracy.Results: Twenty (39%) patients developed PHLF and 15 (29%) developed decompensationat 3 months. Three-month decompensation tended to be better correlated with survival. LSM performed well in predicting decompensation at 3 months (AUROC=0.78, 95%CI: 0.63-0.94; p=0.01), comparable with HVPG (AUROC=0.89, 95%CI: 0.79-1.00; p<0.01) (DeLong test p=0.21). LSM was not sufficiently accurate to predict PHLF.Conclusion: LSM has a similar performance to HVPG in predicting decompensation at 3 months in patients with early HCC submitted to liver resection. Three-month decompensation is better associated with survival.
Coidentification of
mcr-4.3
and
bla
NDM-1
in a Clinical Enterobacter cloacae Isolate from China
Authors: Chavda Bhakti , Lv Jingnan , Hou Mengyun , Chavda Kalyan D. , Kreiswirth Barry N. , Feng Youjun , Chen Liang , Yu Fangyou
Published: July 2018

We describe the first report of a clinical colistin-resistant ST84
Enterobacter cloacae
isolate coharboring
mcr-4.3
(previously named
mcr-4.2
) and
bla
NDM-1
from a patient in China. The
bla
NDM-1
-harboring IncX3 plasmid and the novel
mcr-4.3
-harboring ColE plasmid were completely sequenced.
Desialylation of Platelets by Pneumococcal Neuraminidase A Induces ADP-Dependent Platelet Hyperreactivity
Authors: Kullaya Vesla , de Jonge Marien I. , Langereis Jeroen D. , van der Gaast-de Jongh Christa E. , Büll Christian , Adema Gosse J. , Lefeber Dirk , Cremers Amelieke J. , Mmbaga Blandina T. , de Groot Phillip G. , de Mast Quirijn , van der Ven Andre J.
Published: July 2018

Platelets are increasingly recognized to play a role in the complications of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
infections.
S. pneumoniae
expresses neuraminidases, which may alter glycans on the platelet surface.
Foxp3
+
T Regulatory Cells as a Potential Target for Immunotherapy against Primary Infection with Echinococcus multilocularis Eggs
Authors: Wang Junhua , Cardoso Rita , Marreros Nelson , Müller Norbert , Lundström-Stadelmann Britta , Siffert Myriam , Vuitton Dominique A. , Boué Franck , Lin Renyong , Wen Hao , Gottstein Bruno
Published: July 2018

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a lethal disease caused by infection with the metacestode stage of the helminth
Echinococcus multilocularis
, which develops into a tumorlike mass in susceptible intermediate hosts. The growth potential of this parasite stage is directly linked to the nature of the surrounding periparasitic immune-mediated processes.
Novel Insights into Selection for Antibiotic Resistance in Complex Microbial Communities
Authors: Murray Aimee K. , Zhang Lihong , Yin Xiaole , Zhang Tong , Buckling Angus , Snape Jason , Gaze William H.
Published: July 2018

Recent research has demonstrated that selection for antibiotic resistance occurs at very low antibiotic concentrations in single-species experiments, but the relevance of these findings when species are embedded in complex microbial communities is unclear. We show that the strength of selection for naturally occurring resistance alleles in a complex community remains constant from low subinhibitory to above clinically relevant concentrations. Selection increases with antibiotic concentration before reaching a plateau where selection remains constant over a 2-order-magnitude concentration range. This is likely to be due to cross protection of the susceptible bacteria in the community following rapid extracellular antibiotic degradation by the resistant population, shown experimentally through a combination of chemical quantification and bacterial growth experiments. Metagenome and 16S rRNA analyses of sewage-derived bacterial communities evolved under cefotaxime exposure show preferential enrichment for
bla
CTX-M
genes over all other beta-lactamase genes, as well as positive selection and co-selection for antibiotic resistant, opportunistic pathogens. These findings have far-reaching implications for our understanding of the evolution of antibiotic resistance, by challenging the long-standing assumption that selection occurs in a dose-dependent manner.

IMPORTANCE
Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest global issues facing society. Still, comparatively little is known about selection for resistance at very low antibiotic concentrations. We show that the strength of selection for clinically important resistance genes within a complex bacterial community can remain constant across a large antibiotic concentration range (wide selective space). Therefore, largely understudied ecological compartments could be just as important as clinical environments for selection of antibiotic resistance.
Announcement of 2019 Keystone Symposia Conference: “Microbiome: Chemical Mechanisms and Biological Consequences”
Authors: Balskus Emily P. , Turnbaugh Peter J. , Wolan Dennis W.
Published: July 2018

The Keystone Symposia will be hosting a conference organized by Emily Balskus, Peter Turnbaugh, and Dennis Wolan entitled “Microbiome: Chemical Mechanisms and Biological Consequences” 10 to 14 March 2019 in Montreal, Québec, Canada. Our goal for this meeting is to focus attention on the intersection of chemistry and biology by bringing together scientists in these two disciplines, while also including talks about other hosts, environmental microbiomes, and multidisciplinary research platforms.
Psychosocial work characteristics, burnout, psychological morbidity symptoms and early retirement intentions: a cross-sectional study of NHS consultants in the UK
Authors: Khan Atir , Teoh Kevin RH , Islam Saiful , Hassard Juliet
Published: July 2018

Objectives

The objectives of this study are twofold. First, to examine the direct effect of psychosocial work characteristics (as measured by job autonomy and work-related pressure) in relation to self-reported psychological morbidity symptoms and early retirement intentions among a sample of hospital consultants in the National Health Service (NHS). Second, to investigate burnout as mediating variable (ie, indirect effect) of these postulated associations.

Design

A cross-sectional observational study.

Participants

593 NHS consultants (male=63.1%) from hospitals in England, Scotland and Wales.

Measures

Self-reported online questionnaires on work-related pressure and job autonomy (Job Demands-Resources Questionnaire); emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation (Maslach Burnout Inventory); depressive and anxiety symptoms (State Trait Personality Inventory) and a single-item on early retirement intention.

Results

This study observed high prevalence rates across all adverse health measures: emotional exhaustion (38.7%), depersonalisation (20.7%), anxiety symptoms (43.1%) and depressive symptoms (36.1%). Multiple linear regressions examined the postulated direct and indirect effects. Job autonomy had significant negative direct effects on the frequency of NHS consultants’ anxiety and depressive symptoms, and their intention to retire early. Both emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation mediated the relationships that work-related pressure (full mediation) and job autonomy (partial mediation) had with self-reported symptoms of psychological morbidities. Only emotional exhaustion mediated the relationships where early retirement intention was the outcome. In terms of sociodemographic factors, age and years’ experience predicted both burnout dimensions and psychological morbidity.

Conclusions

This is the first study to observe job autonomy to be associated with the number of self-reported psychological morbidity symptoms and early retirement intentions in a sample of NHS consultants. Burnout dimensions mediated these relationships, indicating that interventions need to focus on enhancing working conditions and addressing burnout among NHS consultants before more severe symptoms of psychological morbidity are reported. This study has implications for NHS policy makers and senior leadership.
Selection of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes from a large electronic medical records database and a study of the use of disease-modifying therapy in the United States
Authors: Ma Xiaomei , Steensma David P , Scott Bart L , Kiselev Pavel , Sugrue Mary M , Swern Arlene S
Published: July 2018

Objectives

Treatment patterns for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) outside clinical trials are not well described. Our objective was to evaluate treatment patterns and patient characteristics that influence time to disease-modifying therapy in patients with MDS in the USA.

Design, participants and outcome measures

Patients with MDS treated with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), iron chelation therapy, lenalidomide (LEN) and the hypomethylating agents (HMAs) azacitidine and decitabine, were retrospectively identified in the GE Centricity Electronic Medical Record database between January 2006 and February 2014; LEN and HMAs were defined as ‘disease-modifying’ therapies. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to ascertain patient characteristics associated with time to disease-modifying therapy.

Results

Of the 5162 patients with MDS, 35.7%, 40.3% and 4.6% received 1, ≥1 and ≥2 therapies, respectively. ESAs were the first-line (72.5%) and only (64.0%) treatment in the majority of patients who received ≥1 therapy. ESA-only patients were older and had more comorbidities, including isolated anaemia. LEN and HMAs were first-line treatment in 12.4% of patients each; 32.7% received LEN or HMAs at any time. The majority of del(5q) patients (77.6%) received ≥1 therapy, most commonly LEN, compared with 40% of patients without del(5q). A shorter time to disease-modifying therapy was significantly associated with absence of comorbidities, diagnosis after February 2008, lower baseline haemoglobin level, age <80 years and male gender (p<0.002 for all).

Conclusions

A high proportion of patients diagnosed with MDS in the USA do not receive approved disease-modifying therapies. It is important to improve access to these therapies.
Differences in risk factors and chronic conditions between informal (family) carers and non-carers using a population-based cross-sectional survey in South Australia
Authors: Stacey Anne F , Gill Tiffany K , Price Kay , Taylor Anne W
Published: July 2018

Background

There is growing discussion on the impact of informal caregiving on the health status and morbidity of family carers. Evidence suggests a proportion of carers may be at risk of poor health outcomes. However, there are limited population-based studies that provide representative data on specific risk factors among carers (eg, blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking status, activity and body mass index) and major chronic conditions (eg, asthma, diabetes and arthritis). This study aimed to redress that imbalance.

Method

Self-reported data were from the South Australian Monitoring and Surveillance System (SAMSS), a representative cross-sectional state-wide population-based survey of 600 randomly selected persons per month. SAMSS uses computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) to monitor chronic health-related problems and risk factors and to assess health outcomes. In total, 2247 family carers were identified from 35 195 participants aged 16 years and older for the 5-year period from 2010 to 2015. Logistic regression analyses examined associations of being a carer with self-reported chronic diseases and health risk factors. In addition, the population attributable risk (PAR) of being a carer was examined for selected chronic conditions.

Results

The prevalence of carers was 6.4%, and peak age group for carers was 50–59 years. Adjusted ORs for chronic conditions in carers were significant for all chronic conditions examined. Although there is a high prevalence of self-reported risk factors and chronic conditions among carers compared with non-carers at the population level, PAR findings suggest that caregiving is associated with a small to moderate increased risk of having these chronic conditions.

Conclusions

Monitoring of carer health and morbidity particularly ‘at risk’ individuals such as female carers with asthma or diabetes remains important and provides an ongoing baseline for future surveys. To achieve this, caregiver-based studies need to become part of mainstream biomedical research at both epidemiological and clinical levels.
Acute effects of air pollution on ischaemic stroke onset and deaths: a time-series study in Changzhou, China
Authors: Dong Huibin , Yu Yongquan , Yao Shen , Lu Yan , Chen Zhiyong , Li Guiying , Yao Yao , Yao Xingjuan , Wang Shou-Lin , Zhang Zhan
Published: July 2018

Objective

To investigate the acute effect of air pollutants on ischaemic stroke (IS) and IS-related death.

Setting

Five urban districts in Changzhou, China, between 9 January 2015 and 31 December 2016.

Participants

A total of 32 840 IS cases and 4028 IS deaths were enrolled.

Main outcome measures

A time-series design, generalised additive model and multivariable regression model were used to examine the percentage change (95% CI) in daily IS counts and deaths with an IQR increase in air pollutant levels for different single or multiple lag days in single-pollutant and two-pollutant models.

Results

Daily IS counts increased 0.208% (95% CI 0.036% to 0.381%) with an IQR increment in the levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The estimated risk of NO2was more robust in males and in the cold season. For daily IS counts, the estimated effects of NO2and sulfur dioxide (SO2) were more significant when adjusted for particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters <2.5 µm (PM2.5) and PM10. An IQR increment in the concentration of PM10, SO2and NO2significantly increased IS deaths with 6 days of cumulative effects (0.268%, 95% CI 0.007% to 1.528%; 0.34%, 0.088% to 0.592%; and 0.263%, 0.004% to 0.522%, respectively). Young individuals (<65 years old) had a higher IS mortality risk for PM2.5, PM10, NO2and CO. For IS death, the effect estimates of SO2in the elderly, females and the cold season were more pronounced; statistical significance was also identified for SO2when adjusted for carbon monoxide (CO).

Conclusions

This study suggested that short-term exposure to ambient NO2was associated with increased IS risk. In addition, SO2was associated with increased IS onset and death.
Sensitivity and specificity of breast cancer ICD-9-CM codes in three Italian administrative healthcare databases: a diagnostic accuracy study
Authors: Abraha Iosief , Serraino Diego , Montedori Alessandro , Fusco Mario , Giovannini Gianni , Casucci Paola , Cozzolino Francesco , Orso Massimiliano , Granata Annalisa , De Giorgi Marcello , Collarile Paolo , Chiari Rita , Foglietta Jennifer , Vitale Maria Francesca , Stracci Fabrizio , Orlandi Walter , Bidoli Ettore
Published: July 2018

Objectives

To assess the accuracy of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes in identifying patients diagnosed with incident carcinoma in situ and invasive breast cancer in three Italian administrative databases.

Design

A diagnostic accuracy study comparing ICD-9-CM codes for carcinoma in situ (233.0) and for invasive breast cancer (174.x) with medical chart (as a reference standard). Case definition: (1) presence of a primary nodular lesion in the breast and (2) cytological or histological documentation of cancer from a primary or metastatic site.

Setting

Administrative databases from Umbria Region, Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL) Napoli 3 Sud (NA) and Friuli VeneziaGiulia (FVG) Region.

Participants

Women with breast carcinoma in situ (n=246) or invasive breast cancer (n=384) diagnosed (in primary position) between 2012 and 2014.

Outcome measures

Sensitivity and specificity for codes 233.0 and 174.x.

Results

For invasive breast cancer the sensitivities were 98% (95% CI 93% to 99%) for Umbria, 96% (95% CI 91% to 99%) for NA and 100% (95% CI 97% to 100%) for FVG. Specificities were 90% (95% CI 82% to 95%) for Umbria, 91% (95% CI 83% to 96%) for NA and 91% (95% CI 84% to 96%) for FVG.

For carcinoma in situ the sensitivities were 100% (95% CI 93% to 100%) for Umbria, 100% (95% CI 95% to 100%) for NA and 100% (95% CI 96% to 100%) for FVG. Specificities were 98% (95% CI 93% to 100%) for Umbria, 86% (95% CI 78% to 92%) for NA and 90% (95% CI 82% to 95%) for FVG.

Conclusions

Administrative healthcare databases from Umbria, NA and FVG are accurate in identifying hospitalised news cases of carcinoma of the breast. The proposed case definition is a powerful tool to perform research on large populations of newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer.
Identifying prevalence and risk factors for metformin non-persistence: a retrospective cohort study using an electronic health record
Authors: Flory James H , Keating Scott Justin , Siscovick David , Mushlin Alvin I
Published: July 2018

Objectives

Non-persistence may be a significant barrier to the use of metformin. Our objective was to assess reasons for metformin non-persistence, and whether initial metformin dosing or use of extended release (ER) formulations affect persistence to metformin therapy.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Electronic health record data from a network of urban academic practices.

Participants

The cohort was restricted to individuals receiving a metformin prescription between 2009/1/1 and 2015/9/31, under care for at least 6 months before the first prescription of metformin. The cohort was further restricted to patients with no evidence of any antihyperglycaemic agent use prior to the index date, an haemoglobin A1c measured within 1 month prior to or 1 week after the index date, at least 6 months of follow-up, and with the initial metformin prescription originating in either a general medicine or endocrinology clinic.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary outcome measure was early non-persistence, as defined by the absence of further prescriptions for metformin after the first 90 days of follow-up.

Results

The final cohort consisted of 1259 eligible individuals. The overall rate of early non-persistence was 20.3%. Initial use of ER and low starting dose metformin were associated with significantly lower rates of reported side effects and non-persistence, but after multivariable analysis, only use of low starting doses was independently associated with improved persistence (adjusted OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.76, for comparison of 500 mg daily dose or less to all higher doses).

Conclusions

These data support the routine prescribing of low starting doses of metformin as a tool to improve persistence. In this study setting, many providers routinely used ER metformin as an initial treatment; while this practice may have benefits, it deserves more rigorous study to assess whether increased costs are justified.
Is periprocedural sedation during acute stroke therapy associated with poorer functional outcomes?
Authors: Nichols C , Carrozzella J , Yeatts S , Tomsick T , Broderick J , Khatri P
Published: July 2018

Background

To safely perform acute intra-arterial revascularization procedures, use of sedative medications and paralytics is often necessary. During the conduct of the Interventional Management of Stroke trials (I and II), the level of sedation used periprocedurally varied. At some institutions, patients were paralyzed and intubated as part of the procedural standard of care while at other institutions no routine sedation protocol was followed. The aim of this study was to identify patient characteristics that would correlate with the need for deeper sedation and to explore whether levels of sedation relate to patient outcome.

Methods

75 of 81 patients in the Interventional Management of Stroke II Study were studied. Patients had anterior circulation strokes and underwent angiography and/or intervention. Four sedation categories were defined and tested for factors potentially associated with the level of sedation. Clinical outcomes were also analyzed, including successful angiographic reperfusion and the occurrence of clinical complications.

Results

Only baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale varied significantly by sedation category (p=0.01). Patients that were in the lower sedation category fared better, having a higher rate of good outcomes (p<0.01), lower death rates (p=0.02) and higher successful angiographic reperfusion rates (p=0.01). There was a significantly higher infection rate in patients receiving heavy sedation or pharmacologic paralysis (p=0.02) and a trend towards fewer groin related complications.

Conclusion

In this small sample, patients not receiving sedation fared better, had higher rates of successful angiographic reperfusion and had fewer complications. Further examination of the indications for procedural sedation or paralysis and their effect on outcome is warranted.
Solitaire FR thrombectomy system: immediate results in 56 consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients
Authors: Machi Paolo , Costalat Vincent , Lobotesis Kyriakos , Lima Maldonado Igor , Vendrell Jean Francois , Riquelme Carlos , Bonafé Alain
Published: July 2018

Background and purpose

Prompt recanalization of cerebral arteries in patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke is known to be associated with a better clinical outcome. The aim of this study was to present our initial experience regarding the efficacy and safety of the Solitaire FR as a revascularization device.

Methods

56 consecutive patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke underwent intra-arterial therapy using the Solitaire FR revascularization device. Immediate angiographic results and early clinical outcomes are presented.

Results

Solitaire FR was successful in achieving recanalization in 50 out of 56 patients (89%) with a final Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score ≥2b. Five out of 56 patients had procedure related complications: two asymptomatic subarachnoid hemorrhages, two thromboembolic events and one symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (PH2). Thirty patients (53.5%) demonstrated at discharge a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Score of ≤1 or an improvement of at least 10 points from baseline, and 26 patients (46%) had a modified Rankin Score ≤2.

Conclusions

Solitaire FR is successful in achieving a high rate of arterial recanalization with a low complication rate. The Solitaire FR is a promising thrombectomy tool with a high degree of effectiveness, safety and ease of use.
North American Solitaire Stent Retriever Acute Stroke registry: post-marketing revascularization and clinical outcome results
Authors: Zaidat Osama O , Castonguay Alicia C , Gupta Rishi , Sun Chung-Huan J , Martin Coleman , Holloway William E , Mueller-Kronast Nils , English Joey D , Linfante Italo , Dabus Guilherme , Malisch Tim W , Marden Franklin A , Bozorgchami Hormozd , Xavier Andrew , Rai Ansaar T , Froehler Michael T , Badruddin Aamir , Nguyen Thanh N , Taqi M Asif , Abraham Michael G , Janardhan Vallabh , Shaltoni Hashem , Novakovic Roberta , Yoo Albert J , Abou-Chebl Alex , Chen Peng R , Britz Gavin W , Kaushal Ritesh , Nanda Ashish , Issa Mohammad A , Nogueira Raul G
Published: July 2018

Background

Limited post-marketing data exist on the use of the Solitaire FR device in clinical practice. The North American Solitaire Stent Retriever Acute Stroke (NASA) registry aimed to assess the real world performance of the Solitaire FR device in contrast with the results from the SWIFT (Solitaire with the Intention for Thrombectomy) and TREVO 2 (Trevo versus Merci retrievers for thrombectomy revascularization of large vessel occlusions in acute ischemic stroke) trials.

Methods

The investigator initiated NASA registry recruited North American sites to submit retrospective angiographic and clinical outcome data on consecutive acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients treated with the Solitaire FR between March 2012 and February 2013. The primary outcome was a Thrombolysis in Myocardial Ischemia (TIMI) score of ≥2 or a Treatment in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) score of ≥2a. Secondary outcomes were 90 day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, mortality, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage.

Results

354 patients underwent treatment for AIS using the Solitaire FR device in 24 centers. Mean time from onset to groin puncture was 363.4±239 min, mean fluoroscopy time was 32.9±25.7 min, and mean procedure time was 100.9±57.8 min.Recanalization outcome:TIMI ≥2 rate of 83.3% (315/354) and TICI ≥2a rate of 87.5% (310/354) compared with the operator reported TIMI ≥2 rate of 83% in SWIFT and TICI ≥2a rate of 85% in TREVO 2.Clinical outcome:42% (132/315) of NASA patients demonstrated a 90 day mRS ≤2 compared with 37% (SWIFT) and 40% (TREVO 2). 90 day mortality was 30.2% (95/315) versus 17.2% (SWIFT) and 29% (TREVO 2).

Conclusions

The NASA registry demonstrated that the Solitaire FR device performance in clinical practice is comparable with the SWIFT and TREVO 2 trial results.
Individualised tobacco affordability in the UK 2002–2014: findings from the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project
Authors: Partos Timea R , Branston J Robert , Hiscock Rosemary , Gilmore Anna B , McNeill Ann
Published: July 2018

Objective

The existing measures of tobacco affordability (smokers' purchasing power for tobacco) use national estimates of income and average cigarette prices, and exclude roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco. This study developed an individualised measure of tobacco affordability using smokers' own incomes and factory-made (FM) or RYO tobacco purchase prices, and explored how it was impacted by taxation changes, individual characteristics and purchase patterns.

Design

Cross-sectional survey data collated from 10 waves of a longitudinal cohort study.

Data sources

Adult smokers (n=4062) from the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project United Kingdom (UK), surveyed between 2002 and 2014, providing 8943 observations over 10 surveys.

Analysis

Affordability was calculated as the percentage of annual income remaining with the individuals after their annual tobacco expenditure. Multilevel linear regression models were used with affordability as the outcome using time, sex, age, geographical region, ethnicity, education, nicotine dependence and tobacco purchase source as the predictor variables.

Results

Affordability of FM cigarettes decreased significantly from 91.5% (±95% CI: 91.0% to 91.9%) in 2002 to 87.8% (87.0% to 88.5%) in 2014; and RYO from 96.3% (95.7% to 96.9%) in 2006 to 93.7% (93.0% to 94.4%) in 2014. Affordability was significantly lower for FM than RYO. Year-on-year decreases were not statistically significant. Tobacco was more affordable for males, those with higher education, less dependent smokers and those purchasing from non-store (potentially illicit) or non-UK sources.

Conclusions

An individualised measure of tobacco affordability provided useful insights on the impact of tobacco taxes, social inequalities and purchase patterns in the UK. Although tobacco became less affordable, the annual rate of decline was low, suggesting annual tax rises were not large enough.
Microstructure and deposition kinetics of Nb prepared by chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Wei Yan , Zhang Da Wei , Wang Jun , Cai Hong Zhong , Zhang Xu Xiang , Chen Li , Guo Jun Mei , Hu Chang Yi
Published: July 2018

The deposition kinetics and microstructure of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of Nb on the Mo substrate at different deposition variables is investigated. The morphology of CVD Nb is columnar, it exhibits a strong preferred orientation and its growth direction is perpendicular to the substrate surface, the deposition rate and grain size increased with the increase of deposition temperature. The deposition rate conforms to the Arrhenius formula, the activation energy [Formula: see text] at high temperature and low temperature is 0.85 kJ/mol and 7.2 kJ/mol, respectively. The rate-limiting step for CVD Nb at high temperature is chemical reaction step, whereas that is the mass transport step at low temperature. Chlorination temperature has a weak influence on deposition rate and grain structure, the deposition rate and grain size of CVD Nb increased with the increase of the chlorine flow and hydrogen flow, the maximum deposition rate is [Formula: see text], thus, the optimum deposition temperature is 1200[Formula: see text]C, chlorination temperature is 350[Formula: see text]C, hydrogen flow is 400 ml, chlorine flow is 200 ml.
Study on bonding mechanism of graphene on silicon substrate
Authors: Zhang Qi , Zhao Yulong , Ma Xin , Zhao You , Pang Xing
Published: July 2018

The study of bonding mechanism is important for the application of graphene in micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS). Using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, the adhesion behavior of graphene on silicon substrate was observed, by applying a constant vertical upward exfoliation velocity to graphene. The effects of silicon substrate size, graphene layer number and exfoliation velocity on adhesion properties of graphene were studied. The minimum velocity to exfoliate monolayer graphene was 4.3 Å/ps, and the maximum adhesive force was 25.04 nN. For two-layer graphene, velocity was applied on the top layer, 5.2 Å/ps and 12 Å/ps were the critical velocities: when the velocity was no more than 5.2 Å/ps, the top layer cannot be exfoliated; as the velocity was in the range of 5.2–12 Å/ps, the second layer was driven upward together with the top layer, because of interlayer interaction between graphene layers; when the velocity increased greater than 12 Å/ps, the top layer graphene was broken through the bonding forces of substrate and the second layer, and exfoliated alone. It can be concluded that the velocity to exfoliate graphene was extremely high, and the adhesion energy was 299.81 mJ/m2 and 323.41 mJ/m2 for exfoliating monolayer and two-layer graphene respectively, thus the adhesive strength between graphene and silicon was very strong.
Learning automata-based butterfly optimization algorithm for engineering design problems
Authors: Arora Sankalap , Anand Priyanka
Published: July 2018

Butterfly Optimization Algorithm (BOA) is a novel meta-heuristic algorithm inspired by the food foraging behavior of the butterflies. The performance of BOA critically depends upon the probability parameter which decides whether the butterfly has to move towards the best butterfly of the population or perform a random search. Therefore, in order to increase the potential of the BOA, which focuses on exploration phase in the initial stages and on exploitation in the later stages of the optimization, learning automata have been embedded in BOA in which a learning automaton takes the role of configuring the behavior of a butterfly in order to create a proper balance between the process of global and local search. The introduction of learning automata accelerates the global convergence speed to the true global optimum while preserving the main feature of the basic BOA. In order to validate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, it is evaluated on 17 benchmark test functions and 3 classical engineering design problems with different characteristics, having real-world applications. The simulation results demonstrate that the introduction of learning automata in BOA has significantly boosted the performance of BOA in terms of achievement of true global optimum and avoidance of local optima entrapment.
HAWC+, the Far-Infrared Camera and Polarimeter for SOFIA
Authors: Harper Doyal A. , Runyan Marcus C. , Dowell C. Darren , Wirth C. Jesse , Amato Michael , Ames Troy , Amiri Mandana , Banks Stuart , Bartels Arlin , Benford Dominic J. , Berthoud Marc , Buchanan Ernest , Casey Sean , Chapman Nicholas L. , Chuss David T. , Cook Brant , Derro Rebecca , Dotson Jessie L. , Evans Rhodri , Fixsen Dale , Gatley Ian , Guerra Jordan A. , Halpern Mark , Hamilton Ryan T. , Hamlin Louise A. , Hansen Christopher J. , Heimsath Stephen , Hermida Alfonso , Hilton Gene C. , Hirsch Robert , Hollister Matthew I. , Hostetter Carl F. , Irwin Kent , Jhabvala Christine A. , Jhabvala Murzban , Kastner Joel , Kovács Attila , Lin Sean , Loewenstein Robert F. , Looney Leslie W. , Lopez-Rodriguez Enrique , Maher Stephen F. , Michail Joseph M. , Miller Timothy M. , Moseley S. Harvey , Novak Giles , Pernic Robert J. , Rennick Timothy , Rhody Harvey , Sandberg Eric , Sandford Dale , Santos Fabio Pereira , Shafer Rick , Sharp Elmer H. , Shirron Peter , Siah Javad , Silverberg Robert , Sparr Leroy M. , Spotz Robert , Staguhn Johannes G. , Toorian Armen S. , Towey Shannon , Tuttle Jim , Vaillancourt John , Voellmer George , Volpert Carolyn G. , Wang Shu-i , Wollack Edward J.
Published: July 2018

High-resolution Airborne Wide-band Camera (HAWC[Formula: see text]) is the facility far-infrared imager and polarimeter for SOFIA, NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy. It is designed to cover the portion of the infrared spectrum that is completely inaccessible to ground-based observatories and which is essential for studies of astronomical sources with temperatures between tens and hundreds of degrees Kelvin. Its ability to make polarimetric measurements of aligned dust grains provides a unique new capability for studying interstellar magnetic fields. HAWC[Formula: see text] began commissioning flights in April 2016 and was accepted as a facility instrument in early 2018. In this paper, we describe the instrument, its operational procedures, and its performance on the observatory.
Free delivery (functional pearl)
Authors: Gibbons Jeremy
Published: July 2018

Remote procedure calls are computationally expensive, because network round-trips take several orders of magnitude longer than local interactions. One common technique for amortizing this cost is to batch together multiple independent requests into one compound request. Batching requests amounts to serializing the abstract syntax tree of a small program, in order to transmit it and run it remotely. The standard representation for abstract syntax is to use free monads; we show that free applicative functors are actually a better choice of representation for this scenario.
Nilotinib as Coadjuvant Treatment with Doxorubicin in Patients with Sarcomas: A Phase I Trial of the Spanish Group for Research on Sarcoma
Authors: Alemany Regina , Moura David S. , Redondo Andres , Martinez-Trufero Javier , Calabuig Silvia , Saus Carlos , Obrador-Hevia Antonia , Ramos Rafael , Villar Victor H. , Valverde Claudia , Vaz Maria Angeles , Medina Javier , Felipe-Abrio Irene , Hindi Nadia , Taron Miguel , Martin-Broto Javier
Published: July 2018

Purpose: Nilotinib plus doxorubicin showed to be synergistic regarding apoptosis in several sarcoma cell lines. A phase I/II trial was thus designed to explore the feasibility of nilotinib as coadjuvant of doxorubicin by inhibiting MRP-1/P-gp efflux activity. The phase I part of the study is presented here.

Patients and Methods: Nilotinib 400 mg/12 hours was administered in fixed dose from day 1 to 6, and doxorubicin on day 5 of each cycle. Three dose escalation levels for doxorubicin at 60, 65, and 75 mg/m2 were planned. Cycles were repeated every 3 weeks for a total of 4 cycles. Eligible subtypes were retroperitoneal liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, and unresectable/metastatic high-grade chondrosarcoma.

Results: Thirteen patients were enrolled: 7 chondrosarcoma, 4 liposarcoma, and 2 leiomyosarcoma. In 46 cycles administered, the most relevant grade 3/4 adverse effects per patient were neutropenia 54%, febrile neutropenia 15%, and asthenia 8%. No cardiac toxicity was observed. Only one dose-limiting toxicity (febrile neutropenia) was reported in the third dose level. With regard to efficacy, 1 partial response (1 liposarcoma), 9 stable diseases (5 chondrosarcoma, 2 liposarcoma, 1 leiomyosarcoma), and 3 progressive diseases (2 chondrosarcoma and 1 leiomyosarcoma) were present. ABCB1 and ABCC1 RNA expression levels decreased by 58.47-fold and 1.47-fold, respectively, on day 5 of the cycle.

Conclusions: Combination of MRP-1/P-gp inhibitor, nilotinib, as coadjuvant with doxorubicin is feasible; it appears not to add substantial toxicity compared with doxorubicin alone. Pharmacodynamic study supports this concept. The recommended dose for the phase II part for doxorubicin was 75 mg/m2. Clin Cancer Res; 24(21); 5239–49. ©2018 AACR.
KIM-1 as a Blood-Based Marker for Early Detection of Kidney Cancer: A Prospective Nested Case–Control Study
Authors: Scelo Ghislaine , Muller David C. , Riboli Elio , Johansson Mattias , Cross Amanda J. , Vineis Paolo , Tsilidis Konstantinos K. , Brennan Paul , Boeing Heiner , Peeters Petra H.M. , Vermeulen Roel C.H. , Overvad Kim , Bueno-de-Mesquita H. Bas , Severi Gianluca , Perduca Vittorio , Kvaskoff Marina , Trichopoulou Antonia , La Vecchia Carlo , Karakatsani Anna , Palli Domenico , Sieri Sabina , Panico Salvatore , Weiderpass Elisabete , Sandanger Torkjel M. , Nøst Therese H. , Agudo Antonio , Quirós J. Ramón , Rodríguez-Barranco Miguel , Chirlaque Maria-Dolores , Key Timothy J. , Khanna Prateek , Bonventre Joseph V. , Sabbisetti Venkata S. , Bhatt Rupal S.
Published: July 2018

Purpose: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has the potential for cure with surgery when diagnosed at an early stage. Kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) has been shown to be elevated in the plasma of RCC patients. We aimed to test whether plasma KIM-1 could represent a means of detecting RCC prior to clinical diagnosis.

Experimental Design: KIM-1 concentrations were measured in prediagnostic plasma from 190 RCC cases and 190 controls nested within a population-based prospective cohort study. Cases had entered the cohort up to 5 years before diagnosis, and controls were matched on cases for date of birth, date at blood donation, sex, and country. We applied conditional logistic regression and flexible parametric survival models to evaluate the association between plasma KIM-1 concentrations and RCC risk and survival.

Results: The incidence rate ratio (IRR) of RCC for a doubling in KIM-1 concentration was 1.71 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.44–2.03, P = 4.1 × 10−23], corresponding to an IRR of 63.3 (95% CI, 16.2–246.9) comparing the 80th to the 20th percentiles of the KIM-1 distribution in this sample. Compared with a risk model including known risk factors of RCC (age, sex, country, body mass index, and tobacco smoking status), a risk model additionally including KIM-1 substantially improved discrimination between cases and controls (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of 0.8 compared with 0.7). High plasma KIM-1 concentrations were also associated with poorer survival (P = 0.0053).

Conclusions: Plasma KIM-1 concentrations could predict RCC incidence up to 5 years prior to diagnosis and were associated with poorer survival. Clin Cancer Res; 24(22); 5594–601. ©2018 AACR.