bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Great Ape Heart Project
Authors: Murphy H. W. , Danforth M. D. , Clyde V. L.
Published: February 2018

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in great apes that are managed in zoological institutions. The impact of CVD on captive great ape populations is concerning and detection can be difficult because of the lack of definitive clinical signs prior to death. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the efforts of the Great Ape Heart Project (GAHP) and current understanding of CVD in captive great apes, and outline the key considerations for assessing and treating CVD in these populations.
Surgical treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa: an analysis of postoperative outcome, cosmetic results and quality of life in 255 patients
Authors: Kofler L. , Schweinzer K. , Heister M. , Kohler M. , Breuninger H. , Häfner H.‐M.
Published: February 2018

Background

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with increasing incidence. Severe disease stages are seen as a therapeutic challenge and pose the threat of significant restrictions on patients' life quality.

Objectives

We evaluated postoperative outcome after wide local excision for HS as well as postoperative course, cosmetic results, disease recurrence and quality of life.

Methods

All patients receiving radical surgical treatment for HS (Hurley III) between 2006 and 2015 were identified and received a letter‐based survey. They were asked about postoperative course, cosmetic results, recurrence and life quality.

Results

Two hundred and fifty‐five patients (103 men, 152 women) answered the questionnaire. Ninety‐five percentage of patients reported disease‐specific restrictions on everyday life. Seventy‐five percentage of patients did not experience any postoperative adverse events; however, postoperative pain with need for analgesics was reported in 38%. The majority of patients (80%) were very satisfied or satisfied after surgery, and 85% of patients would recommend surgery to other affected persons.

Limitations

The retrospective design of the study was a limitation.

Conclusions

The well‐known negative psychological and social effects are a relevant part of HS and emphasize the importance of immediate therapy. As long‐lasting local disease‐control can be achieved, surgery should be considered as first‐line therapy.
The BPSC: A prospective study investigating the clinical effect of interventional therapy and the risk factors for bladder cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia in Chinese population
Authors: Zeng Xian‐Tao , Liu Tong‐Zu , Gong Kan , He Da‐Lin , Wang Xing‐Huan ,   on behalf of BPSC investigators
Published: February 2018

Bladder cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia have been two very common diseases among the elderly men, especially with the aging of the population in the world. We have designed a study to investigate the clinical effect of interventional therapy for plasmakinetic resection of the prostate and plasmakinetic resection of the bladder, which is called “BPSC” (The bladder cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia study in Chinese population). The BPSC is not only a specific study, it is made up of many studies. In this article, we introduced the research background, source, name, study framework, study management and further direction of BPSC project. We hope this process will contribute to the growth of the database through sharing data and enriching the evidence of bladder cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia in the Chinese population, thereby finally improving the accessibility of these important findings for doctors, researchers, and patients.
Pathomechanisms of TDP‐43 in neurodegeneration
Authors: Gao Ju , Wang Luwen , Huntley Mikayla L. , Perry George , Wang Xinglong
Published: February 2018

Neurodegeneration, a term that refers to the progressive loss of structure and function of neurons, is a feature of many neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Huntington's disease (HD). There is no cure or treatment available that can prevent or reverse neurodegenerative conditions. The causes of neurodegeneration in these diseases remain largely unknown; yet, an extremely small proportion of these devastating diseases are associated with genetic mutations in proteins involved in a wide range of cellular pathways and processes. Over the past decade, it has become increasingly clear that the most notable neurodegenerative diseases, such as ALS, FTLD, and AD, share a common prominent pathological feature known as TAR DNA‐binding protein 43 (TDP‐43) proteinopathy, which is usually characterized by the presence of aberrant phosphorylation, ubiquitination, cleavage and/or nuclear depletion of TDP‐43 in neurons and glial cells. The role of TDP‐43 as a neurotoxicity trigger has been well documented in different in vitro and in vivo experimental models. As such, the investigation of TDP‐43 pathomechanisms in various major neurodegenerative diseases is on the rise. Here, after a discussion of stages of TDP‐43 proteinopathy during disease progression in various major neurodegenerative diseases, we review previous and most recent studies about the potential pathomechanisms with a particular emphasis on ALS, FTLD, and AD, and discuss the possibility of targeting TDP‐43 as a common therapeutic approach to treat neurodegenerative diseases.

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On Social Preferences and the Intensity of Risk Aversion
Authors: Stark Oded
Published: February 2018

We study the relative risk aversion of an individual with particular social preferences: his wellbeing is influenced by his relative wealth, and by how concerned he is about having low relative wealth. Holding constant the individual's absolute wealth, we obtain two results. First, if the individual's level of concern about low relative wealth does not change, the individual becomes more risk averse when he rises in the wealth hierarchy. Second, if the individual's level of concern about low relative wealth intensifies when he rises in the wealth hierarchy and if, in precise sense, this intensification is strong enough, then the individual becomes less risk averse: the individual's desire to advance further in the wealth hierarchy is more important to him than possibly missing out on a better rank.
One Myth of the Classical Natural Law Theory: Reflecting on the “Thin” View of Legal Positivism
Authors: Rodriguez‐Blanco Veronica , Zambrano Pilar
Published: February 2018

Much controversy has emerged on the demarcation between legal positivism and non‐legal positivism with some authors calling for a ban on the ‐as they see it‐ nonsensical labelling of legal philosophical debates. We agree with these critics; simplistic labelling cannot replace the work of sophisticated and sound argumentation. In this paper we do not use the term ‘legal positivism’ as a simplistic label but identify a specific position which we consider to be the most appealing and plausible view on legal positivism. This is the view advocated by Gardner in his paper 'Legal Positivism: 5½ Myths’ (Gardner , 199), where he carefully scrutinises the most convincing and unifying postulates of legal positivism, which he calls “the thin view”. The study shows that this thin view presupposes an empirical conception of action that is untenable and implausible since it makes acts of engagement with the law unintelligible to an observer of such acts.
Markups of Exporters and Importers: Evidence from Hungary
Authors: Hornok Cecília , Muraközy Balázs
Published: February 2018

In this paper, we study the relationship between different proxies of firm‐level markups and trade status, using balance sheet information linked to detailed trade data from Hungary between 1995 and 2003. We find that importing is strongly positively correlated with markup measures, both across and within firms. We argue that this correlation can reflect three channels: self‐selection, higher physical productivity resulting from access to a larger variety of inputs, and quality upgrading based on high‐quality imported intermediate inputs. We present evidence for the relevance of the third channel by showing that importers’ markup premium is higher when inputs arrive from developed countries, and that importing is correlated with higher‐quality (price‐adjusted revenue) exports. We find no robust evidence for exporter premium when controlling for importing. We argue that the non‐existent exporter premium might result from the stronger competition in export markets relative to domestic markets.
Design thinking in integrated STEAM learning: Surveying the landscape and exploring exemplars in elementary grades
Authors: Cook Kristin L. , Bush Sarah B.
Published: February 2018

Complementing the aims of problem‐based inquiry, a pedagogical approach called design thinking (DT) has students grapple with issues that require a creative redefinition and reimagining of solutions akin to professional skills of designers, who consider conflicting priorities and complex negotiations to arrive at a solution to an ill‐defined problem. This article aims to synthesize the limited existing literature on the use of DT in the K–12 classroom, share two exemplars of DT in action in Grades 3–5 so that science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) educators, teacher educators, researchers, and other stakeholders can visualize how it can take shape in the elementary classroom, followed by concluding remarks on DT. The DT framework provides an exciting avenue for teaching more than simply the content areas of STEAM, it provides a vehicle through which a true transdisciplinary learning experience can occur—where students are passionately invested in solving problems as they strive to make the world a better place.
How Student Entrepreneurs Develop Their Social Network Over Time During the Process of Starting a Company
Authors: Haring Martin
Published: February 2018

Recent studies have focused on which networks would help entrepreneurs to become successful and what would be the best mix of strong ties and weak ties to build an organization upon. With this longitudinal research we add insights into the process of network development on an individual level and complement earlier research on this topic.This article explores the development of strong and weak ties in the social network of student entrepreneurs and the role five mechanisms of social networking play in the process of opportunity recognition, resource mobilization and gaining legitimacy, through a longitudinal case study among 17 student start-ups in the period 2009-2013.All student entrepreneurs started their businesses in the last two years of their bachelor education, part of a venture creation program. They were interviewed directly after they had started their businesses, and their activities were monitored while they were developing their businesses and networks over a period of three years.This study adds to the current social network literature by analyzing how student entrepreneurs use social networking while being involved in the entrepreneurial process of starting a business and especially make use of the advantages of being a student, i.e. being part of the network and having access to the resources of the university. Successful student entrepreneurs distinguish themselves of the rest by keeping on adding valuable connections to their network, having no fear in asking for help and profiting of the goodwill in the business world towards student entrepreneurs.This article can be of use for both academics and practitioners.
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Smith Robert
Published: February 2018

Journal of Education and Training Studies (JETS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether JETS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 6, Number 3 Arlene Kent-Wilkinson, University of Saskatchewan, CanadaCarole Fern Todhunter, The University of Nottingham, UKChosang Tendhar, Long Island University (LIU), USAEnisa Mede, Bahcesehir University, TurkeyJohn Cowan, Edinburgh Napier University, UKJon S. Turner, Missouri State University, USAKun-Hsi Liao, Taiwan Shoufu University, TaiwanLaima Kyburiene, Kaunas University of Applied Sciences, LithuaniaLaura Bruno, The College of New Jersey, USALorna T. Enerva, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, PhilippinesMan-fung Lo, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong KongMaria Pavlis Korres, Hellenic Open University, GreeceMassimiliano Barattucci, Ecampus University, ItalyMatthews Tiwaone Mkandawire, Central China Normal University, MalawiMeral Seker, Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, TurkeyRichard H. Martin, Mercer University, USASelloane Pitikoe, University of Kwazulu-Natal, South AfricaSenem Seda Şahenk Erkan, Marmara University, TurkeySimona Savelli, Università degli Studi Guglielmo Marconi, ItalyStamatis Papadakis, University of Crete, GreeceYalçın Dilekli, Aksaray University, TurkeyYavuz Değirmenci, Bayburt University, Turkey  Robert SmithEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of Journal of Education and Training StudiesRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://jets.redfame.com
Magnetic properties of iron doped zirconia as a function of Fe concentration: From ab initio simulations to the growth of thin films by atomic layer deposition and their characterization by synchrotron radiation
Authors: Lamperti Alessio , Cianci Elena , Ciprian Roberta , Capasso Luca , Weschke Eugen , Debernardi Alberto
Published: February 2018

The authors investigated the magnetic properties of Fe-doped zirconia, ZrO2:Fe, grown by atomic layer deposition, for different concentrations of Fe dopant, a substitutional impurity to Zr. Their growth recipe allows the deposition of films in which the percentage of Fe, x, ranges from diluted (x  ∼ 1–2 at. %) up to high (x ∼ 25 at. %) concentrations. By x-ray magnetic circular dichroism, the authors carefully analyzed the magnetic moments of these dilute magnetic oxides at low temperature (T = 5 K), determining the best dopant range maximizing the magnetic signal. In particular, the authors found that the magnetic signal decreases as the Fe concentration increases. By comparison with ab initio simulations, the authors enlighten the microscopic mechanisms responsible for this peculiar behavior.
The Effect of 1 Week of a Multi-ingredient Dietary Preworkout Supplement on Resting and Postacute Resistance Exercise Vascular Function
Authors: Robinson Austin T. , Mazzuco Adriana , Sabbahi Ahmad S. , Borghi-Silva Audrey , Phillips Shane A.
Published: February 2018

Dietary preworkout supplements are popular among recreational exercisers and athletes. However, the effects of these supplements on the vasculature, both at rest and during exercise, are not well studied. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of 1 week of supplementation with a multi-ingredient dietary preworkout supplement on measures of vascular function at rest and immediately following acute resistance exercise in young, recreationally active adults. Twelve participants (9 males and 3 females; mean ± SD: age = 24.5 ± 3.4 years and body mass index = 24.3 ± 4.7 kg/m2) completed this double-blind, randomized, crossover design study. After familiarization, participants were randomized to either a taste-matched placebo or the preworkout supplement for 1 week preceding the testing visits. Participants underwent measures of vascular function, including brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, measures of central and peripheral blood pressure, and measures of arterial stiffness via pulse wave analysis and pulse wave velocity. All measures were taken at rest and immediately following an acute bilateral leg press exercise session. Resting and postacute exercise flow-mediated dilation, blood pressure, and arterial stiffness were similar between the placebo and the preworkout supplement visits. One week of multi-ingredient preworkout supplementation does not affect vascular function at rest or in response to an acute bout of resistance exercise in young, healthy, recreationally active individuals.
The Influence of Life Events and Psychological Stress on Objectively Measured Physical Activity: A 12-Month Longitudinal Study
Authors: Paluch Amanda E. , Shook Robin P. , Hand Gregory A. , O’Connor Daniel P. , Wilcox Sara , Drenowatz Clemens , Baruth Meghan , Burgess Stephanie , Blair Steven N.
Published: February 2018

Background: This study examined how life event occurrences and stressfulness influence objectively measured light through vigorous physical activity (PA) among young adults. Methods: Every 3 months over a 12-month period, 404 healthy young adults completed questionnaires on the occurrence and stress of 16 life events and wore an accelerometer for 10 days. Results: A modest positive relationship was seen between cumulative life event occurrences [between effect: β = 22.2 (9.7) min/d, P = .02] and cumulative stress [between effect: β = 7.6 (2.9) min/d, P = .01] with light through vigorous PA among men. When considering events individually, job change, starting a first job, beginning a mortgage, and changes in a relationship influenced men’s PA. For women, mortgage, starting a first job, job change, and engagement had significant associations. Life event stressfulness influenced PA in women more than in men. For men, stress from changes in a relationship or job positively influenced PA. Stress of a mortgage, quitting a job, changing jobs or a first job influenced women’s PA. Conclusion: Considering each life event individually was more informative than the summation of life events or summation of stress. Specific life events substantially altered PA, and this change varied by gender, direction of association, and PA intensity and duration.
Regional Socioeconomic Inequalities in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Among Brazilian Adolescents
Authors: Werneck André O. , Oyeyemi Adewale L. , Fernandes Rômulo A. , Romanzini Marcelo , Ronque Enio R.V. , Cyrino Edilson S. , Sardinha Luís B. , Silva Danilo R.
Published: February 2018

Background: This study aims to describe the regional prevalence and patterns of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior among Brazilian adolescents. Methods: Data from the Brazilian Scholar Health Survey, a nationally representative survey of ninth-grade adolescents [mean age: 14.29 y (14.27–14.29)] conducted in 2015 (n = 101,445), were used. Outcomes were television viewing, sitting time (ST), total PA, and active traveling collected via self-administered questionnaire. Information on frequency of physical education classes and type of school was collected from the school’s director. Frequencies with 95% confidence intervals were used to determine the prevalence and patterns of outcomes. Results: Higher prevalence of PA (≥300 min/wk) and ST (>4 h/d) was found in Midwest (PA = 38.0%; ST = 44.5%), South (PA = 37.6%; ST = 50.1%), and Southeast (PA = 36.1%; ST = 49.3%) compared with Northeast (PA = 29.7%; ST = 36.9%) and North (PA = 34.4%; ST = 34.8%) regions of Brazil. ST was higher among adolescents from private schools (51.5%) than public schools (42.9%), whereas active traveling was greater among students of public schools than private schools (62.0% vs 34.4%). Most inequalities in outcomes between capital and interior cities were in the poorest regions. Conclusions: The results indicate that national plans targeting regional inequalities are needed to improve PA and to reduce sedentary behavior among Brazilian adolescents.
Ventilatory Responses During Submaximal Exercise in Children With Prader–Willi Syndrome
Authors: Hyde Adam M. , McMurray Robert G. , Chavoya Frank A. , Rubin Daniela A.
Published: February 2018

Purpose: Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic neurobehavioral disorder presenting hypothalamic dysfunction and adiposity. At rest, PWS exhibits hypoventilation with hypercapnia. We characterized ventilatory responses in children with PWS during exercise. Methods: Participants were children aged 7–12 years with PWS (n = 8) and without PWS with normal weight (NW; n = 9, body mass index ≤ 85th percentile) or obesity (n = 9, body mass index ≥ 95th percentile). Participants completed three 5-minute ambulatory bouts at 3.2, 4.0, and 4.8 km/h. Oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide output, ventilation, breathing frequency, and tidal volume were recorded. Results: PWS had slightly higher oxygen uptake (L/min) at 3.2 km/h [0.65 (0.46–1.01) vs 0.49 (0.34–0.83)] and at 4.8 km/h [0.89 (0.62–1.20) vs 0.63 (0.45–0.97)] than NW. PWS had higher ventilation (L/min) at 3.2 km/h [16.2 (13.0–26.5) vs 11.5 (8.4–17.5)], at 4.0 km/h [16.4 (13.9–27.9) vs 12.7 (10.3–19.5)], and at 4.8 km/h [19.7 (17.4–31.8) vs 15.2 (9.5–21.6)] than NW. PWS had greater breathing frequency (breaths/min) at 3.2 km/h [38 (29–53) vs 29 (22–35)], at 4.0 km/h [39 (29–58) vs 29 (23–39)], and at 4.8 km/h [39 (33–58) vs 32 (23–42)], but similar tidal volume and ventilation/carbon dioxide output to NW. Conclusion: PWS did not show impaired ventilatory responses to exercise. Hyperventilation in PWS may relate to excessive neural stimulation and metabolic cost.
A Self-Assembling Whole-Cell Vaccine Antigen Presentation Platform
Authors: Liao Julie , Smith Daniel R. , Brynjarsdóttir Jóhanna , Watnick Paula I.
Published: February 2018

Diarrheal disease is the most common infection afflicting children worldwide. In resource-poor settings, these infections are correlated with cognitive delay, stunted growth, and premature death. With the development of efficacious, affordable, and easily administered vaccines, such infections could be prevented. While a major focus of research on biofilms has been their elimination, here we harness the bacterial biofilm to create a customizable platform for cost-effective, whole-cell mucosal vaccines that self-incorporate secreted protein antigens. We use this platform to develop a sublingually administered live-attenuated prototype vaccine based on
Vibrio cholerae
. This serves not only as a proof of concept for a multivalent vaccine against common bacterial enteric pathogens but also as a paradigm for vaccines utilizing other bacterial biofilms to target mucosal infections.
Virulent Poxviruses Inhibit DNA Sensing by Preventing STING Activation
Authors: Georgana Iliana , Sumner Rebecca P. , Towers Greg J. , Maluquer de Motes Carlos
Published: February 2018

Cytosolic recognition of DNA has emerged as a critical cellular mechanism of host immune activation upon pathogen invasion. The central cytosolic DNA sensor cGAS activates STING, which is phosphorylated, dimerizes and translocates from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to a perinuclear region to mediate IRF-3 activation. Poxviruses are double-stranded DNA viruses replicating in the cytosol and hence likely to trigger cytosolic DNA sensing. Here, we investigated the activation of innate immune signaling by 4 different strains of the prototypic poxvirus vaccinia virus (VACV) in a cell line proficient in DNA sensing. Infection with the attenuated VACV strain MVA activated IRF-3 via cGAS and STING, and accordingly STING dimerized and was phosphorylated during MVA infection. Conversely, VACV strains Copenhagen and Western Reserve inhibited STING dimerization and phosphorylation during infection and in response to transfected DNA and cyclic GMP-AMP, thus efficiently suppressing DNA sensing and IRF-3 activation. A VACV deletion mutant lacking protein C16, thought to be the only viral DNA sensing inhibitor acting upstream of STING, retained the ability to block STING activation. Similar inhibition of DNA-induced STING activation was also observed for cowpox and ectromelia viruses. Our data demonstrate that virulent poxviruses possess mechanisms for targeting DNA sensing at the level of the cGAS-STING axis and that these mechanisms do not operate in replication-defective strains such as MVA. These findings shed light on the role of cellular DNA sensing in poxvirus-host interactions and will open new avenues to determine its impact on VACV immunogenicity and virulence.

IMPORTANCE
Poxviruses are double-stranded DNA viruses infecting a wide range of vertebrates and include the causative agent of smallpox (variola virus) and its vaccine vaccinia virus (VACV). Despite smallpox eradication VACV remains of interest as a therapeutic. Attenuated strains are popular vaccine candidates, whereas replication-competent strains are emerging as efficient oncolytics in virotherapy. The successful therapeutic use of VACV depends on a detailed understanding of its ability to modulate host innate immune responses. DNA sensing is a critical cellular mechanism for pathogen detection and activation of innate immunity that is centrally coordinated by the endoplasmic reticulum-resident protein STING. Here, STING is shown to mediate immune activation in response to MVA, but not in response to virulent VACV strains or other virulent poxviruses, which prevent STING activation and DNA sensing during infection and after DNA transfection. These results provide new insights into poxvirus immune evasion and have implications in the rational design of VACV-based therapeutics.
Relative Abundance of Integrant-Derived Viral RNAs in Infected Tissues Harvested from Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Carriers
Authors: Freitas Natalia , Lukash Tetyana , Gunewardena Sumedha , Chappell Benjamin , Slagle Betty L. , Gudima Severin O.
Published: February 2018

Five matching sets of nonmalignant liver tissues and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) samples from individuals chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) were examined. The HBV genomic sequences were determined by using overlapping PCR amplicons covering the entire viral genome. Four pairs of tissues were infected with HBV genotype C, while one pair was infected with HBV genotype B. HBV replication markers were found in all tissues. In the majority of HCC samples, the levels of pregenomic/precore RNA (pgRNA) and covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) were lower than those in liver tissue counterparts. Regardless of the presence of HBV replication markers, (i) integrant-derived HBV RNAs (id-RNAs) were found in all tissues by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) analysis and were considerably abundant or predominant in 6/10 tissue samples (2 liver and 4 HCC samples), (ii) RNAs that were polyadenylated using the cryptic HBV polyadenylation signal and therefore could be produced by HBV replication or derived from integrated HBV DNA were found in 5/10 samples (3 liver and 2 HCC samples) and were considerably abundant species in 3/10 tissues (2 livers and 1 HCC), and (iii) cccDNA-transcribed RNAs polyadenylated near position 1931 were not abundant in 7/10 tissues (2 liver and 5 HCC samples) and were predominant in only two liver samples. Subsequent RNA sequencing analysis of selected liver/HCC samples also showed relative abundance of id-RNAs in most of the examined tissues. Our findings suggesting that id-RNAs could represent a significant source of HBV envelope proteins, which is independent of viral replication, are discussed in the context of the possible contribution of id-RNAs to the HBV life cycle.

IMPORTANCE
The relative abundance of integrant-derived HBV RNAs (id-RNAs) in chronically infected tissues suggest that id-RNAs coding for the envelope proteins may facilitate the production of a considerable fraction of surface antigens (HBsAg) in infected cells bearing HBV integrants. If the same cells support HBV replication, then a significant fraction of assembled HBV virions could bear id-RNA-derived HBsAg as a major component of their envelopes. Therefore, the infectivity of these HBV virions and their ability to facilitate virus cell-to-cell spread could be determined mainly by the properties of id-RNA-derived envelope proteins and not by the properties of replication-derived HBsAg. These interpretations suggest that id-RNAs may play a role in the maintenance of chronic HBV infection and therefore contribute to the HBV life cycle. Furthermore, the production of HBsAg from id-RNAs independently of viral replication may explain at least in part why treatment with interferon or nucleos(t)ides in most cases fails to achieve a loss of serum HBsAg.
Verification bias
Authors: O’Sullivan Jack W , Banerjee Amitava , Heneghan Carl , Pluddemann Annette
Published: February 2018

This article is part of the Catalogue of Bias series. We present a description of verification bias, and outline its potential impact on research studies and the preventive steps to minimise its risk. We also present teaching slides in the online supplementary file. Verification bias (sometimes referred to as ‘work-up bias’) concerns the test(s) used to confirm a diagnosis within a diagnostic accuracy study. Verification bias occurs when only a proportion of the study participants receive confirmation of the diagnosis by the reference standard test, or if some participants receive a different reference standard test.
Predictive risk modelling under different data access scenarios: who is identified as high risk and for how long?
Authors: Johnson Tracy L , Kaldor Jill , Falster Michael O , Sutherland Kim , Humphries Jacob , Jorm Louisa R , Levesque Jean-Frederic
Published: February 2018

Objective

This observational study critically explored the performance of different predictive risk models simulating three data access scenarios, comparing: (1) sociodemographic and clinical profiles; (2) consistency in high-risk designation across models; and (3) persistence of high-risk status over time.

Methods

Cross-sectional health survey data (2006–2009) for more than 260 000 Australian adults 45+ years were linked to longitudinal individual hospital, primary care, pharmacy and mortality data. Three risk models predicting acute emergency hospitalisations were explored, simulating conditions where data are accessed through primary care practice management systems, or through hospital-based electronic records, or through a hypothetical ‘full’ model using a wider array of linked data. High-risk patients were identified using different risk score thresholds. Models were reapplied monthly for 24 months to assess persistence in high-risk categorisation.

Results

The three models displayed similar statistical performance. Three-quarters of patients in the high-risk quintile from the ‘full’ model were also identified using the primary care or hospital-based models, with the remaining patients differing according to age, frailty, multimorbidity, self-rated health, polypharmacy, prior hospitalisations and imminent mortality. The use of higher risk prediction thresholds resulted in lower levels of agreement in high-risk designation across models and greater morbidity and mortality in identified patient populations. Persistence of high-risk status varied across approaches according to updated information on utilisation history, with up to 25% of patients reassessed as lower risk within 1 year.

Conclusion/implications

Small differences in risk predictors or risk thresholds resulted in comparatively large differences in who was classified as high risk and for how long. Pragmatic predictive risk modelling design decisions based on data availability or projected high-risk patient numbers may therefore influence individuals identified as high-risk, overall case mix and risk persistence. Routine data linkage would enable greater flexibility in developing and optimising predictive risk models appropriate to both case-finding and performance measurement applications.
Improving cardiometabolic and mental health in women with gestational diabetes mellitus and their offspring: study protocol forMySweetHeart Trial, a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Horsch Antje , Gilbert Leah , Lanzi Stefano , Gross Justine , Kayser Bengt , Vial Yvan , Simeoni Umberto , Hans Didier , Berney Alexandre , Scholz Urte , Barakat Ruben , Puder Jardena J
Published: February 2018

Introduction

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) carries prenatal and perinatal risk for the mother and her offspring as well as longer-term risks for both the mother (obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease) and her child (obesity, type 2 diabetes). Compared with women without GDM, women with GDM are twice as likely to develop perinatal or postpartum depression. Lifestyle interventions for GDM are generally limited to physical activity and/or nutrition, often focus separately on the mother or the child and take place either during or after pregnancy, while their results are inconsistent. To increase efficacy of intervention, the multifactorial origins of GDM and the tight link between mental and metabolic as well as maternal and child health need to be heeded. This calls for an interdisciplinary transgenerational approach starting in, but continuing beyond pregnancy.

Methods and analysis

This randomised controlled trial will assess the effect of a multidimensional interdisciplinary lifestyle and psychosocial intervention aimed at improving the metabolic and mental health of 200 women with GDM and their offspring. Women with GDM at 24–32 weeks gestational age who understand French or English, and their offspring and partners can participate. The intervention components will be delivered on top of usual care during pregnancy and the first year postpartum. Metabolic and mental health outcomes will be measured at 24–32 weeks of pregnancy, shortly after birth and at 6–8 weeks and 1 year after childbirth. Data will be analysed using intention-to-treat analyses. TheMySweetHeart Trialis linked to theMySweetHeart Cohort(clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02872974).

Ethics and dissemination

We will disseminate the findings through regional, national and international conferences and through peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT02890693; Pre-results.
Hypoadrenocorticism in an aged cat
Authors: Fowlie Samuel J , McKenzie Jennifer , Ramsey Ian
Published: February 2018

A 13‐year‐old, female, neutered, domestic longhair cat was referred to the hospital with a two‐month history of fluctuating weakness, lethargy, inappetence and intermittently soft stools. Physical examination noted variable mentation, mild tachycardia with poor pulse quality and a body condition score of 1/9. In‐house haematology and biochemistry abnormalities included a mild neutrophilia, hyponatraemia, and decreased Na:K ratio of 24 and isosthenuric urine (1.012). The cat was admitted to the hospital for intravenous fluid therapy and management of its electrolyte abnormalities. A low basal cortisol (36 nmol/l) was found on analysis of a stored serum sample, and further investigations confirmed the diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism. Treatment was implemented initially with hydrocortisone and dexamethasone and continued long term with desoxycorticosterone pivalate and oral prednisolone. More than one year since diagnosis, the cat is clinically well and stable on treatment.
Outbreak of clostridial abomasitis in dairy calves
Authors: Melendez Pedro , Poock Scott
Published: February 2018

An outbreak of clostridial abomasitis was diagnosed and described on a Missouri, USA, dairy farm with seasonal parturitions during the fall of 2016. The outbreak comprised 9 fatality cases and 11 clinical cases in calves 4–12 days old. The epidemic event began 10 days after the calving season started. Postmortem examination results reported clostridial abomasitis. Clinical cases were characterised by anorexia, depression, bloat, abdominal distension and yellow‐greenish haemorrhagic pre‐stomach contents. The outbreak was resolved in a period of 11 days and was handled by consistently reinforcing and monitoring standard operation procedures of the entire calf operation. Factors such as proper methods of milk replacer preparation and delivery, quality and temperature of water, osmolality, hygiene, tool disinfection and stress proved to be critical in controlling the outbreak in the calf operation.
Acute endurance exercise increases Vegfa mRNA expression in adipose tissue of rats during the early stages of weight gain
Authors: Ludzki Alison C. , Pataky Mark W. , Cartee Gregory D. , Horowitz Jeffrey F.
Published: February 2018

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of acute exercise on key factors regulating angiogenesis in adipose tissue. Adipose tissue Vegf-a messenger RNA expression was upregulated immediately after acute exercise (p < 0.05) in rats consuming a high-fat diet, but was lower after exercise (p < 0.05) in rats consuming a low-fat diet. Our working hypothesis is that acute exercise augments angiogenic signaling under conditions when adipose tissue is expanding, and with repeated exercise sessions these signals can accrue to enhance vascularization.
Quantitative developmental analysis of two phenotypes of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis in the context of homeosis
Authors: Norton Christian H. , Lacroix Christian R.
Published: February 2018

The flowers of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. (Malvaceae) exist in two floral morphologies: a single phenotype, and a double phenotype. This study focused on the early stages of floral development, just before the initiation of petal primordia and up until the bifurcation of the stamen primordia. The two phenotypes were compared using logistic regression and bootstrapping techniques. Four aspects of floral development were considered: (i) organogenesis of petal and stamen primordia, and stamen bifurcation; (ii) allometry of stamen primordia; (iii) morphology of stamen primordia; and (iv) size of stamen primordia. The single and double buds initiated petal primordia at the same bud radii, but double buds initiated stamen primordia and stamen bifurcation at larger bud radii than the single phenotype. Double stamen primordia were shorter, wider, and more spherical than single stamen primordia, although the sizes of the single and double stamen primordia (defined as the sum of their length and width measurements) were not different. Results suggest that the additional space on the floral meristem of the double phenotype is linked to the divergent development of stamen primordia occupying this extra space.
Data Replication in Large Scale Content Delivery Networks: A Genetic Algorithm Approach
Authors: Fatin Hadi Zare , Jamali Shahram , Fatin Gholamreza Zare
Published: February 2018

Content delivery networks (CDN) bring the content close to the users employing the replicated servers. In this context, main issue is allocation of the content replicas to these geographically distributed replica servers. The allocation goal is to minimize the storage and the delivery costs and at the same time to satisfy service-level agreements. In this paper, a mixed integer programming (MIP) formulation for the problem of the allocation has been proposed and then by utilization of the genetic algorithm (GA) its optimum solutions were extracted. Numerical evaluation results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms others in terms of the storage cost, delivery cost and computation complexity.
Decision-Making Challenges of Women Entrepreneurship in Family Business Succession Process
Authors: Ramadani Veland , Dana Léo-Paul , Sadiku-Dushi Nora , Ratten Vanessa , Welsh Dianne H. B.
Published: February 2018

The decision-making process concerning succession issues for family businesses is crucial as it affects long term performance and sustainability. However, while succession issues in family business has been extensively studied, the decision-making process for women-owned family businesses is sparse, particularly in transition economies. This is despite the growth of women-owned businesses worldwide. This study explores the succession decision-making process in women-owned small family businesses in Kosovo using a qualitative approach. The findings suggest that group decision making is important in family businesses and plays a role in determining how gender influences succession planning. Managerial and policy implications are discussed.
Skew left braces with non-trivial annihilator
Authors: Catino Francesco , Colazzo Ilaria , Stefanelli Paola
Published: February 2018

We describe the class of all skew left braces with non-trivial annihilator through ideal extension of a skew left brace. The ideal extension of skew left braces is a generalization to the non-abelian case of the extension of left braces provided by Bachiller in [D. Bachiller, Extensions, matched products, and simple braces, J. Pure Appl. Algebra 222 (2018) 1670–1691].
Reproducing kernels of Sobolev spaces on ℝd and applications to embedding constants and tractability
Authors: Novak Erich , Ullrich Mario , Woźniakowski Henryk , Zhang Shun
Published: February 2018

The standard Sobolev space [Formula: see text], with arbitrary positive integers [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] for which [Formula: see text], has the reproducing kernel [Formula: see text] for all [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] are components of [Formula: see text]-variate [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] with non-negative integers [Formula: see text]. We obtain a more explicit form for the reproducing kernel [Formula: see text] and find a closed form for the kernel [Formula: see text]. Knowing the form of [Formula: see text], we present applications on the best embedding constants between the Sobolev space [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], and on strong polynomial tractability of integration with an arbitrary probability density. We prove that the best embedding constants are exponentially small in [Formula: see text], whereas worst case integration errors of algorithms using [Formula: see text] function values are also exponentially small in [Formula: see text] and decay at least like [Formula: see text]. This yields strong polynomial tractability in the worst case setting for the absolute error criterion.
Stability of the compressible viscous fluid around the plane Couette flow in the presence of a transverse uniform magnetic field
Authors: Zhang Xingwei , Zhang Guojing , Li Hai-Liang
Published: February 2018

In this paper, we consider the stability of three-dimensional compressible viscous fluid around the plane Couette flow in the presence of a uniform transverse magnetic field and show that the uniform transverse magnetic field has a stabilizing effect on the plane Couette flow. Namely, for a sufficiently large Hartmann number, the compressible viscous plane Couette flow is nonlinear stable for small Mach number and arbitrary Reynolds number so long as the initial perturbation is small enough.
Deriving relationships between diapir spacing and salt-layer thickness in the Southern North Sea
Authors: Hernandez Karina , Mitchell Neil C. , Huuse Mads
Published: February 2018

In analytical models of salt diapirism, the initial salt-layer thickness and the post-deformation spacing of salt structures are key parameters. Here, 3D seismic data from The Netherlands offshore has enabled these parameters to be measured over large areas which can then be compared with model predictions. Estimates of the original salt-layer thickness were obtained by spatially filtering present thickness, using filters with varied spatial scales that remove local effects. Loss of evaporite minerals by dissolution or erosion during exposure, cannot be ruled out and, as such, thicknesses are minima. Spacing estimates were derived in two dimensions by locating the minimum separation of lines representing ridgelines of diapirs/walls. Because the length scale of spatial filtering was chosen based on the dependent variable, diapir spacing, the results are non-unique. Nevertheless, choosing an apparently optimal filter length of 50 km, a ratio between diapir spacing and original thickness from 12 to 20 is defined. This ratio is greater than has been reported for the pillow province of the UK North Sea Quadrant 44, which is as expected if pillows evolve into diapirs with progressive halokinetic deformation. This work is key to understanding the evolution of salt displacement, a necessity for unlocking remaining hydrocarbon resources.
The Progress of T Cell Immunity Related to Prognosis in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Wei Ming , Shen Duo , Mulmi Shrestha Sachin , Liu Juan , Zhang Junyi , Yin Ying
Published: February 2018

Gastric cancer is the fifth most common malignancy all over the world, and the factors that can affect progress and prognosis of the gastric cancer patients are various, such as TNM stages, invasive depth, and lymph node metastasis ratio. T cell immunity is important component of human immunity system and immunity responding to tumor and dysfunction or imbalance of T cell immunity will lead to serious outcomes for body. T cell immunity includes many different types of cells, CD4+ T cell, CD8+ T cell, memory cell, and so on, and each of them has special function on antitumor response or tumor immune escape which is revealed in lung cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and so on. But its correlation with gastric cancer is not clear. Our review was preformed to explore the relationship between the progress and prognosis of gastric cancer (GC) and T cell immunity. According to recent researches, T cell immunity may have an important role in the progress and prognosis of GCs, but its function is affected by location, category, related molecule, and interaction between the cells, and some effects still are controversial. More researches are needed to clarify this correlation.
The Performance of a Scale-Aware Nonlocal PBL Scheme for the Subkilometer Simulation of a Deep CBL over the Taklimakan Desert
Authors: Xu Hongxiong , Wang Yinjun , Wang Minzhong
Published: February 2018

Although realistic representation of the convective boundary layer (CBL) in the desert region in Northwest China is important for weather forecasts and climate simulations, evaluations of the performance of various planetary boundary layer (PBL) schemes in simulating the CBL in the region are rare. In this study, the performance of a scale-aware PBL scheme newly implemented into the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model in simulating the CBL in the Taklimakan desert is evaluated based on a comparison with both the WRF-LES simulations and observations, with the focus on scale dependencies of the simulations compared to the conventional PBL scheme. A series of simulations are performed with a scale-aware PBL scheme (Shin-Hong) and the conventional PBL scheme (YSU) for a deep CBL observed at Tazhong station in the central Taklimakan on 1 July 2016. The CBL was over 5000 m deep with wider and deeper rolls than in a shallow boundary layer. The results showed that the vertical structure simulated with the Shin-Hong scheme was closer to that in both the WRF-LES (large-eddy-simulation) and observations than that simulated with the YSU. The simulation with the scale-aware scheme reproduced cellular rolls similar to those in the WRF-LES, while the conventional PBL scheme struggled to trigger intense convective cells rather than cellular rolls. The results strongly suggest that the scale-aware nonlocal PBL scheme can be used to adequately reproduce the scale and evolution of the observed rolls in the deep CBL in Taklimakan desert at subkilometer resolutions.