bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Localización empresarial y globalización: elementos para una gestión moderna del territorio
Authors: Gilles Enrique , Baquero-Ruiz Andrés Francisco
Published: January 2017

La globalización es un fenómeno que afecta a diferentes dimensiones de la sociedad. En un mundo caracterizado por el incremento de la exposición a la competencia, la ubicación de las actividades productivas se vuelve un factor importante para el éxito de las empresas. De hecho, en los últimos años hemos presenciado un fuerte proceso de deslocalización industrial. La mayor integración socioeconómica global y la mayor facilidad de las empresas para reubicar sus actividades plantean retos para los gobiernos territoriales, quienes con frecuencia carecen de los conocimientos o capacidades necesarias para entender la complejidad del entorno y definir acciones que permitan transformar las oportunidades en beneficios para los habitantes. Este documento revisa y reflexiona sobre aspectos de geografía económica contemporánea, economía urbana y gestión de cadena de valor, buscando con ello contribuir a la construcción de un nuevo marco conceptual y de capacidades que apoye a los gobiernos territoriales en la formulación de políticas y programas de atracción y retención de empresas.
Modified Constitutive Creep Laws With Micromechanical Modeling of Pb-Free Solder Alloys
Authors: Thambi Joel , Schiessl Andreas , Waltz Manuela , Lang Klaus-Dieter , Tetzlaff Ulrich
Published: January 2017

This paper explicitly establishes a modified creep model of a Sn–3.8Ag–0.7Cu alloy using a physical-based micromechanical modeling technique. Through experimentation and reformulation, steady-state creep behavior is analyzed with minimum strain rates for different temperatures 35 °C, 80 °C, and 125 °C. The new modified physical creep model is proposed, by understanding the respective precipitate strengthened deformation mechanism, seeing the dependency of the activation energy over the temperature along with stress and, finally, by integrating the subgrain-size dependency λss. The new model is found to accurately model the creep behavior of lead-free solder alloy by combining the physical state variables. The features of the creep model can be explored further by changing the physical variable such as subgrain size to establish a structure–property relationship for a better solder joint reliability performance.
Draft Genome Sequence of Flavobacterium johnsoniae CI04, an Isolate from the Soybean Rhizosphere
Authors: Bravo Juan I. , Lozano Gabriel L. , Handelsman Jo
Published: January 2017

Flavobacterium johnsoniae
CI04 was coisolated with
Bacillus cereus
from a root of a field-grown soybean plant in Arlington, WI, and selected as a model for studying commensalism between members of the
Cytophaga-Flavobacterium-Bacteroides
group and
B. cereus
. Here we report the draft genome sequence of
F. johnsoniae
CI04 obtained by Illumina sequencing.
Lhermitte-Duclos disease associated to Cowden syndrome: de novo diagnosis and management of these extremely rare syndromes in a patient
Authors: Gama Ivo , Almeida Leonor
Published: January 2017

A 36-year-old woman, with history of cutaneous papilomatosis and thyroid carcinoma presented with headache, transitory visual blurring and nausea. Funduscopy showed papilloedema. MRI showed a tumour of the right cerebellar hemisphere with a striated, tigroid pattern, typical of Lhermitte-Duclos disease (LDD). Significant clinical and perimetric improvements were noted after surgery and the follow-up did not reveal recurrences of the tumour. LDD is an extremely rare differential diagnosis of posterior fossa tumours. LDD and the history of thyroid carcinoma permitted us to diagnose Cowden syndrome (CS). We present a clinical case that supports the possibility of performing a preoperative diagnosis of LDD based on MRI features. We review the diagnosis and management of LDD and CS. This report highlights the importance of excluding CS after LDD diagnosis, of monitoring the optic nerve postoperatively using optical coherence tomography and of prompt treatment that can potentially prevent visual function loss.
Topical timolol for the treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum
Authors: Moreira Catarina , Lopes Sofia , Cruz Maria João , Azevedo Filomena
Published: January 2017

Treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) remains a challenge, and there are currently no specific or uniformly effective therapies. Although widespread or rapidly progressive disease often requires systemic treatment, localised and mild lesions may be effectively controlled with topical agents. The most frequently applied topical drugs are corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors. Recently, a patient with idiopathic PG of the lower limb was successfully treated with topical timolol and collagenase. Here, we report a case of a patient with collagenous colitis, ankylosing spondylitis and periumbilical PG. Persistent ulcerated skin lesions were successfully treated with topical timolol, although a flare of the underlying bowel disease temporarily interrupted the improvement. The case presented enhances the previously reported therapeutic potential of topical timolol in the treatment of PG. Control of chronic underlying disorders is critical to prevent rebound flares and maintain the benefit.
Diary of a parliamentary intern
Authors: Ridge Anthony
Published: January 2017

Parliamentary veterinary intern Anthony Ridge considers his options once his internship ends.
Annual rings of perennial forbs and mature oaks show similar effects of climate but inconsistent responses to fire in the North American prairie–forest ecotone
Authors: Dee Justin R. , Palmer Michael W.
Published: January 2017

For the prairie–forest ecotone of central North America, research of the effects of climate and fire on the annual growth of nonwoody plant types is currently needed to compliment dendrochronological research used for predicting the stability of this ecotone in the future. Using cores of Quercus stellata Wangenh. and collars of taproots of Asclepias viridis Walter from central Oklahoma, as well as cores from Quercus macrocarpa Michx. and Lespedeza capitata Michx. collars in central Minnesota, we aimed to distinguish the response towards annual precipitation and temperature, as well as fire regime, between these co-existing plant types through patterns in annual ring growth. The effect of spring fire on the annual growth increment was only consistently significant for one of the forbs, with a positive relationship. The strong negative effect of summer temperature was consistent between forbs and Q. stellata, while the positive effect of either growing season precipitation was consistent between plant types. Furthermore, we found stronger patch-specific annual ring patterns in forbs in comparison with trees when patches are separated based on unique fire histories. Overall, such efforts could be used in further studies to better predict growth rates of dominant plant types in landscapes susceptible to significant environmental change.
Angle of deflection and time delay due to electromagnetic charged black hole
Authors: Sen Banashree
Published: January 2017

We calculate the deflection angle due to bending of light in the region outside the event horizon of a electromagnetic charged black hole. We also derive the analytical expression of gravitational time delay for a photon. We evaluate numerically the deflection angle and the time delay between different relativistic images.
Grids of synthetic stellar spectra
Authors: Martins L. , Coelho P.
Published: January 2017

Grids of stellar spectra are extensively used in astrophysics in a range of applications, from derivation of atmospheric parameters in observed stellar spectra, to archaeological studies in integrated light of galaxies. Theoretical stellar libraries have been increasingly used in recent years to overcome limitations of empirical libraries by, for example, exploring atmospheric parameter spaces not well represented in the latter. Nevertheless, there are still caveats and stellar libraries can only partially model observations with accuracy. Here we discuss the current need for synthetic libraries, in particular for applications in stellar population studies. Next we briefly present a non-extensive sample of libraries available in the literature, and we then highlight how better atomic and molecular opacities are much needed to overcome the deficiencies of current synthetic libraries.
Retrieval on Parametric Shape Collections
Authors: Schulz Adriana , Shamir Ariel , Baran Ilya , Levin David I. W. , Sitthi-Amorn Pitchaya , Matusik Wojciech
Published: January 2017

While collections of parametric shapes are growing in size and use, little progress has been made on the fundamental problem of shape-based matching and retrieval for parametric shapes in a collection. The search space for such collections is both discrete (number of shapes) and continuous (parameter values). In this work, we propose representing this space using descriptors that have shown to be effective for single shape retrieval. While single shapes can be represented as points in a descriptor space, parametric shapes are mapped into larger continuous regions. For smooth descriptors, we can assume that these regions are bounded low-dimensional manifolds where the dimensionality is given by the number of shape parameters. We propose representing these manifolds with a set of primitives, namely, points and bounded tangent spaces. Our algorithm describes how to define these primitives and how to use them to construct a manifold approximation that allows accurate and fast retrieval. We perform an analysis based on curvature, boundary evaluation, and the allowed approximation error to select between primitive types. We show how to compute decision variables with no need for empirical parameter adjustments and discuss theoretical guarantees on retrieval accuracy. We validate our approach with experiments that use different types of descriptors on a collection of shapes from multiple categories.
A Novel Ensemble Method for Imbalanced Data Learning: Bagging of Extrapolation-SMOTE SVM
Authors: Wang Qi , Luo ZhiHao , Huang JinCai , Feng YangHe , Liu Zhong
Published: January 2017

Class imbalance ubiquitously exists in real life, which has attracted much interest from various domains. Direct learning from imbalanced dataset may pose unsatisfying results overfocusing on the accuracy of identification and deriving a suboptimal model. Various methodologies have been developed in tackling this problem including sampling, cost-sensitive, and other hybrid ones. However, the samples near the decision boundary which contain more discriminative information should be valued and the skew of the boundary would be corrected by constructing synthetic samples. Inspired by the truth and sense of geometry, we designed a new synthetic minority oversampling technique to incorporate the borderline information. What is more, ensemble model always tends to capture more complicated and robust decision boundary in practice. Taking these factors into considerations, a novel ensemble method, called Bagging of Extrapolation Borderline-SMOTE SVM (BEBS), has been proposed in dealing with imbalanced data learning (IDL) problems. Experiments on open access datasets showed significant superior performance using our model and a persuasive and intuitive explanation behind the method was illustrated. As far as we know, this is the first model combining ensemble of SVMs with borderline information for solving such condition.
Polygamy and Risk of Coronary Artery Disease in Men Undergoing Angiography: An Observational Study
Authors: Daoulah Amin , Lotfi Amir , Al-Murayeh Mushabab , Al-kaabi Salem , Al-Faifi Salem M. , Elkhateeb Osama E. , Alama Mohamed N. , Hersi Ahmad S. , Dixon Ciaran M. , Ahmed Waleed , Al-Shehri Mohamed , Youssef Ali , Elimam Ahmed Moustafa , Abougalambou Ayman S. , Murad Waheed , Alsheikh-Ali Alawi A.
Published: January 2017

Epidemiologic evidence suggests a link between psychosocial risk factors such as marital status and coronary artery disease (CAD). Polygamy (multiple concurrent wives) is a distinct marital status practiced in many countries in Asia and the Middle East, but its association with CAD is not well defined. We conducted a multicenter, observational study of consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography during the period from April 1, 2013, to March 30, 2014. Of 1,068 enrolled patients, 687 were married men. Polygamy was reported in 32% of married men (1 wife: 68%, 2 wives: 19%, 3 wives: 10%, and 4 wives: 3%). When stratified by number of wives, significant baseline differences were observed in age, type of community (rural versus urban), prior coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and household income. After adjusting for baseline differences, there was a significant association between polygamy and CAD (adjusted OR 4.6 [95% CI 2.5, 8.3]), multivessel disease (MVD) (adjusted OR 2.6 [95% CI 1.8, 3.7]), and left main disease (LMD) (adjusted OR 3.5 [95% CI 2.1, 5.9]). Findings were consistent when the number of wives was analyzed as a continuous variable. In conclusion, among married men undergoing coronary angiography for clinical indications, polygamy is associated with the presence of significant CAD, MVD, and LMD.
Modified Transseptal Puncture Technique in Challenging Septa: A Randomized Comparison to Conventional Technique
Authors: Kataria Vikas , Berte Benjamin , Vandekerckhove Yves , Tavernier Rene , Duytschaever Mattias
Published: January 2017

Background. Transseptal puncture (TSP) can be challenging. We compared safety and efficacy of a modified TSP technique (“mosquito” technique, MOSQ-TSP) to conventional TSP (CONV-TSP). Method. Patients undergoing AF ablation in whom first attempt of TSP did not result in left atrial (LA) pressure (failure to cross, FTC) were randomized to MOSQ-TSP (i.e., puncture of the fossa via a wafer-thin inner stylet) or CONV-TSP (i.e., additional punctures at different positions). Primary endpoint was LA access. Secondary endpoints were safety, time, fluoroscopic dose (dose-area product, DAP), and number of additional punctures from FTC to final LA access. Result. Of 384 patients, 68 had FTC (MOSQ-TSP, n=34 versus CONV-TSP, n=34). No complications were reported. In MOSQ-TSP, primary endpoint was 100% (versus 73.5%, p<0.002), median time to LA access was 72 s [from 37 to 384 s] (versus 326 s [from 75 s to 1936 s], p<0.002), mean DAP to LA access was 1778±2315 mGy/cm2 (versus 9347±10690 mGy/cm2, p<0.002), and median number of additional punctures was 2 [1 to 3] (versus 0, p<0.002). Conclusion. In AF patients in whom the first attempt of TSP fails, the “mosquito” technique allows effective, safe, and time sparing LA access. This approach might facilitate TSP in elastic, aneurysmatic, or fibrosed septa.
Sealing of PEO Coated AZ91 Magnesium Alloy Using La-Based Solutions
Authors: Pezzato Luca , Brunelli Katya , Babbolin Riccardo , Dolcet Paolo , Dabalà Manuele
Published: January 2017

In this work, solutions containing lanthanum salts were used for a post-treatment of sealing to increase the corrosion resistance of PEO coated AZ91 alloy. PEO coatings were produced on samples of AZ91 magnesium alloy using an alkaline solution containing sodium hydroxide, sodium phosphates, and sodium silicates. The sealing treatment was performed in a solution containing 12 g/L of La(NO3)3at pH 4 at different temperatures and for different treatment times. Potentiodynamic polarization test, an EIS test, showed that the sealing treatment with solution containing lanthanum nitrate caused a remarkable increase in the corrosion resistance. The corrosion behavior was correlated with the surface morphology and elemental composition evaluated with scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In particular, the sealing treatment at 50°C for 30 min resulted in being the most promising to increase the corrosion properties of PEO treated samples because of the formation of a homogeneous sealing layer, mainly composed of La(OH)3.
Perceptions of Community-Dwelling Patients and Their Physicians on OxyContin® Discontinuation and the Impact on Chronic Pain Management
Authors: Chang Feng , Ibrahim Sara
Published: January 2017

OxyContin, formerly one of the most commonly prescribed medications for chronic pain in Canada, was discontinued, delisted from the Ontario Drug Formulary, and replaced by a tamper-resistant formulation in 2012. The impact of discontinuing OxyContin on patients formerly prescribed it to treat chronic pain was unreported. Patients with chronic pain aged 45 years and over (n=13) were recruited from two primary care and one specialty practice sites and interviewed using a semistructured guide to capture their experiences with discontinuing OxyContin, the efficacy of alternate medications, and relationships with physicians. Additional interviews were conducted with their physicians (n=7) to obtain physician perceptions on discontinuation and to expand understanding of the patients’ experiences. Aspects of patients’ pain and medical care through the discontinuation process revealed emergent themes that both converge and diverge from that of treating physicians. Areas of divergence include the motive for discontinuation, which was condemned by most patients but supported by all physicians, and the perceived impact of discontinuance on pain control, with the majority of patients experiencing a negative impact and most physicians describing it as insignificant. Perceptions of patients and physicians coincided on the need to optimize pain management practices.
Natural Substances for the Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles against Escherichia coli: The Case of Megaphrynium macrostachyum (Marantaceae), Corchorus olitorus (Tiliaceae), Ricinodendron heudelotii (Euphorbiaceae), Gnetum bucholzianum (Gnetaceae), and Ipomoea batatas (Convolvulaceae)
Authors: Eya’ane Meva Francois , Okalla Ebongue Cecile , Fannang Simone Véronique , Segnou Marcelle Loretta , Ntoumba Agnes Antoinette , Belle Ebanda Kedi Philippe , Njike Loudang Rudy-Evrard , Yonga Wanlao Andre , Mang Emmanuel Roland , Mpondo Mpondo Emmanuel Albert
Published: January 2017

The development of drug-resistant strains is rising and the search for new and novel ways of fighting new or reemerging microbes goes on. A hope of treating such multidrug-resistant infections came from plants mediated nanoparticles since nature is a generous source which provides a variety of chemical compounds that can be used for new drug discovery. Silver nanoparticles are reported to possess antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, larvicidal activity and anticancer properties. We reported green synthesis of silver nanoparticles mediated food plants Megaphrynium macrostachyum, Corchorus olitorus, Ricinodendron heudelotii, Gnetum bucholzianum, and Ipomoea batatas and their antibacterial efficacy against the Enterobacteriaceae Escherichia coli. The nature and size of the obtained nanoparticles are discussed as well as their Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and the Minimum Bactericide Concentration (MBC) values considering their application in medical industry.
Neonatal Liver Failure and Congenital Cirrhosis due to Gestational Alloimmune Liver Disease: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Roos Mariano da Rocha Carolina , Rostirola Guedes Renata , Kieling Carlos Oscar , Rossato Adami Marina , Cerski Carlos Thadeu Schmidt , Gonçalves Vieira Sandra Maria
Published: January 2017

Neonatal liver failure (NLF) is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, presenting as acute liver failure and/or congenital cirrhosis. Many affected patients show antenatal signs of fetal injury. There are several causes of NLF and early diagnosis is mandatory to elucidate the etiology and determine a specific treatment or the best management strategy. Gestational alloimmune liver disease associated with neonatal hemochromatosis (GALD-NH) is a rare but potentially treatable cause of NLF. It should be considered in any neonate with fetal signs of disease and postnatal signs of liver failure with no other identifiable causes. GALD-NH is often diagnosed late and patients are therefore referred late to specialized centers, delaying treatment. This case highlights the consequences of late diagnosis and treatment of GALD-NH and emphasizes the importance of a high grade of suspicion of this disease in order to refer the patient to a specialized center soon enough to perform the appropriate treatment.
High-Accuracy AM-FM Radar with an Active Reflector
Authors: Choi Mun Gak , Woo Dong Sik , Choi Hyun Chul , Kim Kang Wook
Published: January 2017

An amplitude-modulated and frequency-modulated (AM-FM) radar with an active reflector to produce high-accuracy distance measurements is proposed and demonstrated in this paper. The proposed radar consists of an AM-FM base module and an active reflector. The combination of AM and FM modulations resolves ambiguity of the absolute distance in typical AM radars, while improving range accuracy in typical FM radars with narrow bandwidth. Also, the active reflector, which translates the frequency of the received signal, resolves the problem of phase detection interference due to the direct Tx-to-Rx leakage in AM radars. In this paper, the operating principle, experimental tests, and analysis are presented. The implemented AM-FM radar operates in X-band (Tx: 10.5 GHz, Rx: 8.5 GHz) with the 620 MHz bandwidth. The measured range accuracy of less than ±10 mm at a distance of 70 m is obtained.
Quantitative Assessment of the Impact of Blood Pulsation on Intraocular Pressure Measurement Results in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Koprowski Robert , Tian Lei
Published: January 2017

Background. Blood pulsation affects the results obtained using various medical devices in many different ways. Method. The paper proves the effect of blood pulsation on intraocular pressure measurements. Six measurements for each of the 10 healthy subjects were performed in various phases of blood pulsation. A total of 8400 corneal deformation images were recorded. The results of intraocular pressure measurements were related to the results of heartbeat phases measured with a pulse oximeter placed on the index finger of the subject’s left hand. Results. The correlation between the heartbeat phase measured with a pulse oximeter and intraocular pressure is 0.69±0.26 (p<0.05). The phase shift calculated for the maximum correlation is equal to 60±40° (p<0.05). When the moment of measuring intraocular pressure with an air-puff tonometer is not synchronized, the changes in IOP for the analysed group of subjects can vary in the range of ±2.31 mmHg (p<0.3). Conclusions. Blood pulsation has a statistically significant effect on the results of intraocular pressure measurement. For this reason, in modern ophthalmic devices, the measurement should be synchronized with the heartbeat phases. The paper proposes an additional method for synchronizing the time of pressure measurement with the blood pulsation phase.
Gene-Environment Interaction in Parkinson's Disease: Coffee, ADORA2A, and CYP1A2
Authors: Chuang Yu-Hsuan , Lill Christina M. , Lee Pei-Chen , Hansen Johnni , Lassen Christina F. , Bertram Lars , Greene Naomi , Sinsheimer Janet S. , Ritz Beate
Published: January 2017

Background and Purpose: Drinking caffeinated coffee has been reported to provide protection against Parkinson's disease (PD). Caffeine is an adenosine A2A receptor (encoded by the gene ADORA2A) antagonist that increases dopaminergic neurotransmission and Cytochrome P450 1A2 (gene: CYP1A2) metabolizes caffeine; thus, gene polymorphisms in ADORA2A and CYP1A2 may influence the effect coffee consumption has on PD risk. Methods: In a population-based case-control study (PASIDA) in Denmark (1,556 PD patients and 1,606 birth year- and gender-matched controls), we assessed interactions between lifetime coffee consumption and 3 polymorphisms in ADORA2A and CYP1A2 for all subjects, and incident and prevalent PD cases separately using logistic regression models. We also conducted a meta-analysis combining our results with those from previous studies. Results: We estimated statistically significant interactions for ADORA2A rs5760423 and heavy vs. light coffee consumption in incident (OR interaction = 0.66 [95% CI 0.46-0.94], p = 0.02) but not prevalent PD. We did not observe interactions for CYP1A2 rs762551 and rs2472304 in incident or prevalent PD. In meta-analyses, PD associations with daily coffee consumption were strongest among carriers of variant alleles in both ADORA2A and CYP1A2. Conclusion: We corroborated results from a previous report that described interactions between ADORA2A and CYP1A2 polymorphisms and coffee consumption. Our results also suggest that survivor bias may affect results of studies that enroll prevalent PD cases.
The Effects of Dexmedetomidine on Microelectrode Recordings of the Subthalamic Nucleus during Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Mathews Letha , Camalier Corrie R. , Kla Koffi M. , Mitchell Martina D. , Konrad Peter E. , Neimat Joseph S. , Smithson Kenneth G.
Published: January 2017

Background: The placement of subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes can be facilitated by intraoperative microelectrode recording (MER) of the STN. Objectives: Optimal anesthetic management during surgery remains unclear because of a lack of quantitative data of the effect of anesthetics on MER. Therefore, we measured the effects of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on MER measures of the STN commonly taken intraoperatively. Methods: MER from 45 patients was retrospectively compared between patients treated with remifentanil (REMI) alone or both REMI and DEX, which are the 2 main standards of care at our center. The measures examined were population activity, such as root mean square, STN length, and number of passes yielding STN, and the single-neuron measures of firing rate and variability. Results: The addition of DEX does not affect population measures (number of passes: DEX+REMI, n = 68, REMI only, n = 154), or neuronal firing rates (number of neurons: DEX+REMI, n = 64, REMI only, n = 72), but firing rate variability was reduced. Conclusions: In this cohort, population-based measures routinely used for electrode placement in the STN were unaffected by DEX when added to REMI. Neuronal firing rates were also unaffected, but their variability was reduced, even beyond 20 min after cessation.
Successful Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Complicated by Fanconi Anemia
Authors: Takahashi Koji , Suzuki Eiichiro , Yokoyama Masayuki  , Inoue Masanori , Wakamatsu Toru , Saito Tomoko , Kusakabe Yuko , Ogasawara Sadahisa , Ooka Yoshihiko , Tawada Akinobu , Nagao Yuhei , Nakaseko Chiaki , Chiba Tetsuhiro
Published: January 2017

A 42-year-old woman with liver tumors was referred to our hospital. Her condition was complicated by Fanconi anemia, and she had undergone total laryngectomy 8 years ago. On admission, contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed hypervascular tumors in the right hepatic lobe. Ultrasound-guided tumor biopsy revealed that the tumor comprised moderately differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma. Although the patient exhibited preserved liver function (Child-Pugh A), complete blood count revealed severe pancytopenia. Eventually, the tumor was successfully treated by transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). Both platelet transfusion and systemic administration of antibiotics were performed. She was discharged 35 days after TAE.
Changes in Oral Anticoagulant Treatment Rates in Atrial Fibrillation before and after the Introduction of Direct Oral Anticoagulants
Authors: Shah Rashmee U. , Rupp Austin B. , Mowery Danielle , Zhang Mingyuan , Stoddard Greg , Deshmukh Vikrant , Bray Bruce E. , Hess Rachel , Rondina Matthew T.
Published: January 2017

Background: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have the potential to improve stroke prevention among atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. We sought to determine if oral anticoagulation (OAC) treatment rates have increased since the approval of DOACs. Methods: We identified 6,688 patients with AF at an academic medical center from January 2008 to June 2015. We examined OAC prescription rates over time and according to CHA2DS2VASc score using multivariable Poisson regression models, with an interaction term between risk score and year of AF diagnosis. Results: Among 6,688 AF patients, 78% had CHA2DS2VASc scores ≥2, 51.6% of whom received an OAC prescription within 90 days of diagnosis. The OAC prescription rate was 47.8% in the pre-DOAC era and peaked at 56.4% in 2014. Relative to the pre-DOAC era, prescription rates increased in 2012 and leveled off thereafter. The prescription rate for the highest risk group was 58.5%, compared with 45.0% in patients with a CHA2DS2VASc score of 2 (p < 0.01). In the adjusted analysis, prescription rates were higher for the higher risk group (adjusted relative risk 1.24 for CHA2DS2VASc score 7-9 vs. 2, 95% CI 1.09-1.40). Conclusions: OAC treatment rates have increased since DOAC introduction, but substantial treatment gaps remain, specifically among the higher risk patients.
Is Beta-Blocker Use Beneficial in Breast Cancer? A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kim Hyun Yul , Jung Youn Joo , Lee Sang Hyup , Jung Hyuk Jae , Pak Kyoungjune
Published: January 2017

Objective: Preclinical studies have proved that beta-blocking agents inhibit several pathways for breast cancer progression and metastasis. We aimed to evaluate the association between beta-blocker use and prognosis of breast cancer. Methods: A systematic search for studies from MEDLINE and EMBASE (inception to March 2014) was performed using the keywords “breast cancer” and “beta-blocker.” In 2 groups of breast cancer patients (beta-blocker users and non-beta-blocker users), overall deaths (ODs), cancer-specific deaths (CSDs), and recurrences were compared. Results: Six studies including 18,118 patients were eligible for this analysis. Two studies with 3,139 patients were included in the analysis of ODs. The random-effects model showed no significant difference in ODs between beta-blocker users and non-beta-blocker users (odds ratio [OR] 0.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.50-1.52, p = 0.49). Four studies with 13,782 patients were included in the measurement of CSDs. The difference in CSDs between beta-blocker users and non-beta-blocker users was not significant using the fixed-effect model (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.82-1.06, p = 0.29). Three studies with 3,923 patients were included in the calculation of recurrences. Overall, beta-blockers did not affect the incidence of recurrence (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.25-1.95, p = 0.49). Conclusion: Beta-blockers were not beneficial regarding ODs, CSDs, or recurrences. Further studies are needed to evaluate the associations between the effects of beta-blockers and subtypes of breast cancer.
Massive Hemorrhage from Ectopic Duodenal Varices: Importance of a Multidisciplinary Approach
Authors: House Tyler , Webb Patrick , Baarson Chad
Published: January 2017

Duodenal variceal bleeding is an uncommon complication of portal hypertension that can easily go unrecognized and reach mortality rates as high as 40%. Cirrhosis is the most common cause of duodenal varices. In most cases, duodenal varices occur concomitantly with esophageal varices, further complicating identification with initial endoscopy. Although many modalities have been explored with respect to management and treatment approaches, guidelines have yet to be established owing to the infrequency in which bleeding occurs from ectopic duodenal varices. We present a case of massive duodenal variceal hemorrhage that highlights the complexity of initial diagnosis and ultimately required a transesophageal intrahepatic portosystemic shunt with coil embolization for control of bleeding.
Gelsolin Inhibits the Inflammatory Process Induced by LPS
Authors: Cheng Ying , Hu Xuguang , Liu Cong , Chen Ming , Wang Jianing , Wang Mingyu , Gao Fu , Han Jiaqi , Zhang Chaoxiong , Sun Ding , Min Rui
Published: January 2017

Background/Aims: Endotoxemia is a life-threatening situation that signifies a key challenge in the field of intensive care medicine. Proinflammatory mediators produced by macrophages play a key role in endotoxemia. Gelsolin (GSN) is involved in the process of inflammation. Methods: IL-6 and TNF-α in the supernatant were measured with an ELISA kit. NO production was assessed by measurement of nitrite concentration with the Griess assay. si-RNA directed against GSN (si-GSN) was transfected by Lipofectamine. Results: LPS decreased the levels of GSN. Recombinant GSN inhibited the cytokines induced by LPS and rescued mice from LPS-induced death, and si-GSN increased death in the LPS-pretreated mice. Conclusion: GSN exhibited a protective role in endotoxemia.
“Nonspatial” Attentional Deficits Interact with Spatial Position in Neglect
Authors: Li Dongyun , Rorden Christopher , Karnath Hans-Otto
Published: January 2017

A widely debated question concerns whether or not spatial and nonspatial components of visual attention interact in attentional performance. Spatial neglect is a common consequence of brain injury where individuals fail to respond to stimuli presented on their contralesional side. It has been argued that, beyond the spatial bias, these individuals also tend to exhibit nonspatial perceptual deficits. Here we demonstrate that the “nonspatial” deficits affecting the temporal dynamics of attentional deployment are in fact modulated by spatial position. Specifically, we observed that the pathological attentional blink of chronic neglect is enhanced when stimuli are presented on the contralesional side of the trunk while keeping retinal and head-centered coordinates constant. We did not find this pattern in right brain-damaged patients without neglect or in patients who had recovered from neglect. Our work suggests that the nonspatial attentional deficits observed in neglect are heavily modulated by egocentric spatial position. This provides strong evidence against models that suggest independent modules for spatial and nonspatial attentional functions while also providing strong evidence that trunk position plays an important role in neglect.
Patients’ Rights in Cross-border Healthcare (Directive 2011/24/eu) and How It Applies to Turkey as a Negotiating Candidate Country
Authors: Ekmekci Perihan Elif
Published: January 2017

Cross-border healthcare and patient mobility across European Union Member States has been on the agenda of eu Commission for the last decade. Directive 2011/24/eu on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare went into force in 2013. The Directive mainly addresses the responsibilities of Member States in cross-border healthcare, regulates reimbursement procedure, and coordinates European reference networks and health technology assessment in the eu. The Directive has direct and indirect implications on Turkish health system. In this article, first an overview of Directive 2011/24/eu is addressed with special attention to its relation to patient rights and other eu legislations. Then, Turkish citizens’ position in the scope of eu legislation on patient rights is considered. Finally, the ethical implications of the Directive, conceptualisation of cross-border patient mobility, and Turkey’s particular position among other candidate countries regarding cross-border healthcare is discussed.
Polystichum duyunense (subg. Haplopolystichum; Dryopteridaceae), a new cave fern from Guizhou, China
Authors: MIAO XIN-YUAN , LI CHUN-XIANG , ZHANG LI-BING
Published: January 2017

A new cave fern of Polystichum (subg. Haplopolystichum; Dryopteridaceae), P. duyunense, is described from a limestone cave in southern Guizhou, China. Polystichum duyunense is most similar to P. cavernicola in having oblong pinnae, but the former has pinnae larger, often angled basiscopically, and somewhat imbricate, while the latter has pinnae smaller, angled acroscopically, and apart from each other.
Desertifilum salkalinema sp. nov. (Oscillatoriales, Cyanobacteria) from an alkaline pool in China
Authors: CAI FANG-FANG , CHEN YOU-XIN , ZHU MENG-LING , LI XIAO-CHUANG , LI REN-HUI
Published: January 2017

Desertifilum, a filamentous cyanobacterial genus, was initially described from biological crusts in Thar crusts in India. In this study, we isolated a novel cyanobacterial strain (CHAB7200) from a alkaline pool in Zhejiang province, China. The strain showed an identical 16S rRNA gene sequence to Desertifilum tharense, but was distinctly different in cellular morphology, ultrastructure and ecology. In addition, the strain exhibited growth ability at different alkalinities during 4.5 ~ 54 g/L, and the optimum growth was shown at 1% salinity, indicating its stronger tolerance to wider range of alkalinities and salinities than D. tharense. Ecological niche is an important criterion used to separate and define cyanobacterial species. In this case, the strain was proposed as a novel cyanobacterial species, Desertifilum salkalinema. sp. nov.
A new species of Postia (Basidiomycota) based on morphological and molecular characteristics
Authors: YUAN HAI-SHENG , MU YAN-HONG , QIN WEN-MIN
Published: January 2017

A new wood-decaying polypore from southern China, Postia cylindrica, is described and illustrated using morphological characteristics and rDNA ITS sequences. The new species is characterized by resupinate to effused reflexed basidiocarps, cream to buff and azonate pileal surface, reddish-brown and incurved margin, gloeoplerous hyphal cells in cuticular layer, absence of cystidia, and cylindrical, thin-walled basidiospores. Molecular analyses confirm the phylogenetic position of the new species Postia. The discriminating characters of the new species and the closely related species are discussed.
Comment on “On Gonorynchus, Gonorhynchus, Gonorinchus, Gonorhinchus, and Gonorrhynchus, and some other names of labeonine fishes (Teleostei: Gonorhynchidae and Cyprinidae)” by Kottelat (2016)
Authors: CICCOTTO PATRICK J. , PAGE LAWRENCE M.
Published: January 2017

Kottelat (2016) noted that ‘Gonorhynchus McClelland, 1838,’ the name used for a South Asian cyprinid genus recognized by Yang et al. (2012) and revised by Ciccotto & Page (2016), does not exist or is a junior homonym of Gonorhynchus Cuvier, 1816. He further noted that Tariqilabeo Mirza & Saboohi, 1990 is the valid genus name for the species recognized in Gonorhynchus by Yang et al. (2012) and by Ciccotto & Page (2016). Kottelat also rejected the placement of Epalzeorhynchus bicornis Wu, 1977 in this genus by Yang et al. (2012), instead placing it in the monotypic Akrokolioplax Zhang & Kottelat, 2006, and questioned the validity of the designation of the neotype of Cyprinus latius Hamilton, 1822 by Ciccotto & Page (2016). While we are in agreement with the validity of Tariqilabeo, we disagree with the use of Akrokolioplax and defend the designation of the neotype for C. latius.
Quantifying the Sensitivity of Precipitation to the Long-Term Warming Trend and Interannual–Decadal Variation of Surface Air Temperature over China
Authors: Zhou Chunlüe , Wang Kaicun
Published: January 2017

Precipitation is expected to increase under global warming. However, large discrepancies in precipitation sensitivities to global warming among observations and models have been reported, partly owing to the large natural variability of precipitation, which accounts for over 90% of its total variance in China. Here, the authors first elucidated precipitation sensitivities to the long-term warming trend and interannual–decadal variations of surface air temperature Ta over China based on daily data from approximately 2000 stations from 1961 to 2014. The results show that the number of dry, trace, and light precipitation days has stronger sensitivities to the warming trend than to the Ta interannual–decadal variation, with 14.1%, −35.7%, and −14.6% K−1 versus 2.7%, −7.9%, and −3.1% K−1, respectively. Total precipitation frequency has significant sensitivities to the warming trend (−18.5% K−1) and the Ta interannual–decadal variation (−3.6% K−1) over China. However, very heavy precipitation frequencies exhibit larger sensitivities to the Ta interannual–decadal variation than to the long-term trend over Northwest and Northeast China and the Tibetan Plateau. A warming trend boosts precipitation intensity, especially for light precipitation (9.8% K−1). Total precipitation intensity increases significantly by 13.1% K−1 in response to the warming trend and by 3.3% K−1 in response to the Ta interannual–decadal variation. Very heavy precipitation intensity also shows significant sensitivity to the interannual–decadal variation of Ta (3.7% K−1), particularly in the cold season (8.0% K−1). Combining precipitation frequency and intensity, total precipitation amount has a negligible sensitivity to the warming trend, and the consequent trend in China is limited. Moderate and heavy precipitation amounts are dominated by their frequencies.
Spatiotemporal Variations in Hydroclimate across the Mediterranean Andes (30°–37°S) since the Early Twentieth Century
Authors: González-Reyes Álvaro , McPhee James , Christie Duncan A. , Le Quesne Carlos , Szejner Paul , Masiokas Mariano H. , Villalba Ricardo , Muñoz Ariel A. , Crespo Sebastián
Published: January 2017

In the Mediterranean Andes region (MA; 30°–37°S), the main rivers are largely fed by melting snowpack and provide freshwater to around 10 million people on both sides of the Andes Mountains. Water resources in the MA are under pressure because of the extensive development of industrial agriculture and mining activities. This pressure is increasing as the region faces one of its worst recorded droughts. Previous studies have pointed to El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) as the main climatic force impacting the MA. However, the role of decadal and multidecadal climate variability, their spatial patterns, and the recurrence of long-term droughts remains poorly studied. In an attempt to better understand these factors, spatial and temporal patterns of hydroclimatic variability are analyzed using an extensive database of streamflow, precipitation, and snowpack covering the period between 1910 and 2011. These analyses are based on the combination of correlation, principal components, and kernel estimation techniques. Despite a general common pattern across the MA, the results presented here identify two hydroclimatic subregions, located north and south of 34°S. While the interannual variability associated with ENSO is slightly stronger north of 34°S, the variability associated with the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) and/or the interdecadal Pacific oscillation (IPO) index shows similar patterns in both regions. However, variations produced by the IPO forcing seem to be greater in the southern subregion since 1975. The estimations presented here on drought recurrence reveal a generalized increase in dry extremes since the 1950s. These findings suggest that the northern MA is more vulnerable to changes in hydrology and climate than the southern MA.
Assessing the Skill of Updated Precipitation-Type Diagnostics for the Rapid Refresh with mPING
Authors: Burg Tomer , Elmore Kimberly L. , Grams Heather M.
Published: January 2017

Previous work has shown that the Rapid Refresh (RAP) model severely underrepresents ice pellets in its grid, with a skill near zero and a very low bias. An ice pellet diagnostic upgrade was devised at the Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL) to resolve this issue. Parallel runs of the experimental ESRL-RAP with the fix and the operational NCEP-RAP without the fix provide an opportunity to assess whether this upgrade has improved the overall performance and the performance of the individual precipitation types of the ESRL-RAP. Verification was conducted using the mobile Phenomena Identification Near the Ground (mPING) project. The overall Gerrity skill score (GSS) for the ESRL-RAP was improved relative to the NCEP-RAP at a 3-h lead time but degraded with increasing lead time; the difference is significant at p < 0.05. Whether this difference is practically significant for users is unknown. Some improvement was found in the bias and skill scores of ice pellets and snow in the ESRL-RAP, although the model continues to underrepresent ice pellets, while rain and freezing rain were generally the same or slightly worse with the fix. The ESRL-RAP was also found to depict a more realistic spatial distribution of precipitation types in transition zones involving ice pellets and freezing rain.
Money, Work, and Marital Stability
Authors: Killewald Alexandra
Published: January 2017

Despite a large literature investigating how spouses’ earnings and division of labor relate to their risk of divorce, findings remain mixed and conclusions elusive. Core unresolved questions are (1) whether marital stability is primarily associated with the economic gains to marriage or with the gendered lens through which spouses’ earnings and employment are interpreted and (2) whether the determinants of marital stability have changed over time. Using data from the 1968 to 2013 waves of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, I consider how spouses’ division of labor, their overall financial resources, and a wife’s ability to support herself in the event of divorce are associated with the risk of divorce, and how these associations have changed between couples married before and after 1975. Financial considerations—wives’ economic independence and total household income—are not predictive of divorce in either cohort. Time use, however, is associated with divorce risk in both cohorts. For marriages formed after 1975, husbands’ lack of full-time employment is associated with higher risk of divorce, but neither wives’ full-time employment nor wives’ share of household labor is associated with divorce risk. Expectations of wives’ homemaking may have eroded, but the husband breadwinner norm persists.
“Traditional” Resolution of Land Conflicts: The Survival of Precolonial Dispute Settlement in Burundi
Authors: De Juan Alexander
Published: January 2017

Where and how have precolonial institutions of conflict resolution remained intact? Although it is often argued that “traditional” institutions can play a key role in managing communal conflicts, little is known about the conditions of their “survival.” This article argues that historical, political, and cultural topographies are essential to understanding patterns of the persistence and demise of precolonial institutions. Traditional modes of conflict resolution remain strong where they have been internalized over centuries: in the cultural and political centers of precolonial states. I use original geocoded survey data and historical spatial information on precolonial Burundi to analyze this hypothesis. The estimations yield robust correlations between the geographic patterns of the precolonial kingdom and current modes of resource-related conflict resolution.
What is Special about Special Education? The Crippled Child
Authors: Mackie Romaine P.
Published: January 2017

This is the sixth of a series of articles compiled by Darrel II. Mase, University of Florida, which deal with the special aspects of educating various types of exceptional children.
The Emotionally Handicapped Child and the School an Analysis of Programs and Trends
Authors: Bower Eli M.
Published: January 2017

This is the second of three articles, by the author, on the emotionally handicapped child.
Program Trends for the Mentally Retarded
Authors: Allen Amy A. , Harnett Mary E.
Published: January 2017

EDITOR'S NOTE: Last fall, national organizations having a major interest in children and youth were requested to submit reports to the 1960 White House Conference on trends affecting children during the last 10 years. In preparation for its report, the CEC asked special educators in the various areas of exceptionality to outline some of the most significant developments they had observed since 1950.

Limited space prevents our reporting on all of the trends that were submitted. However, we thought you would be interested in seeing the following two reports received from New York City and the State of Ohio on changing factors affecting school programs for the menially retarded.