bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research for Practice: Tracing and Debugging Distributed Systems; Programming by Examples
Authors: Alvaro Peter , Galwani Sumit
Published: April 2019

This installment of Research for Practice covers two exciting topics in distributed systems and programming methodology. First, Peter Alvaro takes us on a tour of recent techniques for debugging some of the largest and most complex systems in the world: modern distributed systems and service-oriented architectures. The techniques Peter surveys can shed light on order amid the chaos of distributed call graphs. Second, Sumit Gulwani illustrates how to program without explicitly writing programs, instead synthesizing programs from examples! The techniques Sumit presents allow systems to "learn" a program representation from illustrative examples, allowing nonprogrammer users to create increasingly nontrivial functions such as spreadsheet macros. Both of these selections are well in line with RfP’s goal of accessible, practical research; in fact, both contributors have successfully transferred their own research in each area to production, at Netflix and as part of Microsoft Excel. Readers may also find a use case!
10 Ways to Be a Better Interviewer
Authors: Matsudaira Kate
Published: April 2019

Of course, there is no right way to do an interview, but you can always be better. Make an effort to make your candidates as comfortable as possible so they have the greatest chance for success.
EZH2 Is Overexpressed in BRCA1-like Breast Tumors and Predictive for Sensitivity to High-Dose Platinum-Based Chemotherapy
Authors: Puppe Julian , Opdam Mark , Schouten Philip C. , Jóźwiak Katarzyna , Lips Esther , Severson Tesa , van de Ven Marieke , Brambillasca Chiara , Bouwman Peter , van Tellingen Olaf , Bernards René , Wesseling Jelle , Eichler Christian , Thangarajah Fabinshy , Malter Wolfram , Pandey Gaurav Kumar , Ozretić Luka , Caldas Carlos , van Lohuizen Maarten , Hauptmann Michael , Rhiem Kerstin , Hahnen Eric , Reinhardt H. Christian , Büttner Reinhard , Mallmann Peter , Schömig-Markiefka Birgid , Schmutzler Rita , Linn Sabine , Jonkers Jos
Published: April 2019

Purpose:

BRCA1-deficient breast cancers carry a specific DNA copy-number signature (“BRCA1-like”) and are hypersensitive to DNA double-strand break (DSB) inducing compounds. Here, we explored whether (i) EZH2 is overexpressed in human BRCA1-deficient breast tumors and might predict sensitivity to DSB-inducing drugs; (ii) EZH2 inhibition potentiates cisplatin efficacy in Brca1-deficient murine mammary tumors.

Experimental Design:

EZH2 expression was analyzed in 497 breast cancers using IHC or RNA sequencing. We classified 370 tumors by copy-number profiles as BRCA1-like or non-BRCA1–like and examined its association with EZH2 expression. Additionally, we assessed BRCA1 loss through mutation or promoter methylation status and investigated the predictive value of EZH2 expression in a study population of breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant high-dose platinum-based chemotherapy compared with standard anthracycline-based chemotherapy. To explore whether EZH2 inhibition by GSK126 enhances sensitivity to platinum drugs in EZH2-overexpressing breast cancers we used a Brca1-deficient mouse model.

Results:

The highest EZH2 expression was found in BRCA1-associated tumors harboring a BRCA1 mutation, BRCA1-promoter methylation or were classified as BRCA1 like. We observed a greater benefit from high-dose platinum-based chemotherapy in BRCA1-like and non-BRCA1–like patients with high EZH2 expression. Combined treatment with the EZH2 inhibitor GSK126 and cisplatin decreased cell proliferation and improved survival in Brca1-deficient mice in comparison with single agents.

Conclusions:

Our findings demonstrate that EZH2 is expressed at significantly higher levels in BRCA1-deficient breast cancers. EZH2 overexpression can identify patients with breast cancer who benefit significantly from intensified DSB-inducing platinum-based chemotherapy independent of BRCA1-like status. EZH2 inhibition improves the antitumor effect of platinum drugs in Brca1-deficient breast tumors in vivo.
Aberrant ABO B Phenotype with Irregular Anti-B Caused by a Para-Bombay FUT1 Mutation
Authors: Matzhold Eva Maria , Wagner Thomas , Drexler Camilla , Schönbacher Marlies , Körmöczi Günther F.
Published: April 2019

Background: Routine ABO blood group typing for pre-transfusion testing of a male Austrian patient of Far Eastern origin showed discrepant results with an apparently weak blood group B phenotype and irregular anti-B. Materials and Methods: ABH phenotyping and cross-matching was done by standard serologic techniques and levels of H expression were determined by flow cytometry. ABO gene sequencing including regulatory regions as well as analysis of FUT1 (H), FUT2 (Secretor), and FUT3 (Lewis) were carried out. Results: While monoclonal ABO antigen typing indicated blood group O, weak agglutination reactions using polyclonal human anti-B and anti-AB were seen. In reverse typing at room temperature, the plasma was reactive with A1 and A2 RBCs and negative with B and O cells, whereas at 4°C, anti-B reactivity was found. The indirect anti-globulin cross-match of the patient’s plasma was positive with group B RBCs and negative with group O RBCs. Sequencing analysis showed the presence of ABO*B.01 (B114) allele and homozygosity for the FUT1 mutation c.551_552delAG. Flow cytometry demonstrated trace amounts of H antigen on the patient’s RBCs. Conclusion: While a functional B allele was found, analysis of FUT1 and FUT2 genes revealed the presence of a rare para-Bombay genotype OhB. Interestingly, no anti-H but irregular anti-B was found in the patient’s plasma, responsible for the positive cross-match with group B RBCs. Even though very rare and not reported for the European population, the presence of an H-deficient phenotype should be considered when investigating individuals with an unusual ABO blood group type.
A Acumulação Primitiva do Capital e o Discreto Charme da Geografia Burguesa
Authors: Godoy Paulo Roberto Teixeira de
Published: April 2019

O texto apresenta notas e apontamentos para uma análise histórica e dialética da produção do espaço geográfico como mercadoria específica do modo capitalista de produção. As formas de expropriação e de sucessivas separações entre as condições objetivas de produção e os produtores diretos constituem as bases categoriais da universalização da propriedade privada da terra e da geografia histórica da valorização capitalista no espaço. O território como dimensão concreta das práticas e das representações sociais orientadas pela lógica de valorização do capital e das formas ideológicas de dominação política é o pressuposto inicial da interpretação do processo de transformação do território em capital fictício.
High-Sensitivity Troponin I and Incident Coronary Events, Stroke, Heart Failure Hospitalization, and Mortality in the ARIC Study
Authors: Jia Xiaoming , Sun Wensheng , Hoogeveen Ron C. , Nambi Vijay , Matsushita Kunihiro , Folsom Aaron R. , Heiss Gerardo , Couper David J. , Solomon Scott D. , Boerwinkle Eric , Shah Amil , Selvin Elizabeth , de Lemos James A. , Ballantyne Christie M.
Published: April 2019

Background:

We assessed whether plasma troponin I measured by a high-sensitivity assay (hs-TnI) is associated with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality in a community-based sample without prior CVD.

Methods:

ARIC study (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) participants aged 54 to 74 years without baseline CVD were included in this study (n=8121). Cox proportional hazards models were constructed to determine associations between hs-TnI and incident coronary heart disease (CHD; myocardial infarction and fatal CHD), ischemic stroke, atherosclerotic CVD (CHD and stroke), heart failure hospitalization, global CVD (atherosclerotic CVD and heart failure), and all-cause mortality. The comparative association of hs-TnI and high-sensitivity troponin T with incident CVD events was also evaluated. Risk prediction models were constructed to assess prediction improvement when hs-TnI was added to traditional risk factors used in the Pooled Cohort Equation.

Results:

The median follow-up period was ≈15 years. Detectable hs-TnI levels were observed in 85% of the study population. In adjusted models, in comparison to low hs-TnI (lowest quintile, hs-TnI ≤1.3 ng/L), elevated hs-TnI (highest quintile, hs-TnI ≥3.8 ng/L) was associated with greater incident CHD (hazard ratio [HR], 2.20; 95% CI, 1.64–2.95), ischemic stroke (HR, 2.99; 95% CI, 2.01–4.46), atherosclerotic CVD (HR, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.86–3.00), heart failure hospitalization (HR, 4.20; 95% CI, 3.28–5.37), global CVD (HR, 3.01; 95% CI, 2.50–3.63), and all-cause mortality (HR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.56–2.14). hs-TnI was observed to have a stronger association with incident global CVD events in white than in black individuals and a stronger association with incident CHD in women than in men. hs-TnI and high-sensitivity troponin T were only modestly correlated (
r
=0.47) and were complementary in prediction of incident CVD events, with elevation of both troponins conferring the highest risk in comparison with elevation in either one alone. The addition of hs-TnI to the Pooled Cohort Equation model improved risk prediction for atherosclerotic CVD, heart failure, and global CVD.

Conclusions:

Elevated hs-TnI is strongly associated with increased global CVD incidence in the general population independent of traditional risk factors. hs-TnI and high-sensitivity troponin T provide complementary rather than redundant information.
DREAM: A Challenge Data Set and Models for Dialogue-Based Reading Comprehension
Authors: Sun Kai , Yu Dian , Chen Jianshu , Yu Dong , Choi Yejin , Cardie Claire
Published: April 2019

We present DREAM, the first dialogue-based multiple-choice reading comprehension data set. Collected from English as a Foreign Language examinations designed by human experts to evaluate the comprehension level of Chinese learners of English, our data set contains 10,197 multiple-choice questions for 6,444 dialogues. In contrast to existing reading comprehension data sets, DREAM is the first to focus on in-depth multi-turn multi-party dialogue understanding. DREAM is likely to present significant challenges for existing reading comprehension systems: 84% of answers are non-extractive, 85% of questions require reasoning beyond a single sentence, and 34% of questions also involve commonsense knowledge.

We apply several popular neural reading comprehension models that primarily exploit surface information within the text and find them to, at best, just barely outperform a rule-based approach. We next investigate the effects of incorporating dialogue structure and different kinds of general world knowledge into both rule-based and (neural and non-neural) machine learning-based reading comprehension models. Experimental results on the DREAM data set show the effectiveness of dialogue structure and general world knowledge. DREAM is available at https://dataset.org/dream/ .
Re-erection of Rhinodrilidae Benham, 1890, a senior synonym of Pontoscolecidae James, 2012 (Annelida: Clitellata)
Authors: JAMES SAMUEL W.
Published: April 2019

The recently published family name Pontoscolecidae James, 2012 is synonymous with the much older but largely forgotten Rhinodrilidae Benham, 1890. I bring attention to this error and two other minor lapses. The Rhinodrilidae is just part of the complex history of the earthworm family generally known as the Glossoscolecidae. This history is explained and an emended definition of the Rhinodrilidae is provided.
A continuous integral terminal sliding mode control approach for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems
Authors: Niu Huawei , Lan Qixun , Liu Yamei , Xu Huafeng
Published: April 2019

In this article, the continuous integral terminal sliding mode control problem for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems is investigated. First of all, based on homogeneous system theory, a global finite-time control law with simple structure is proposed for a chain of integrators. Then, inspired by the proposed finite-time control law, a novel integral terminal sliding mode surface is designed, based on which an integral terminal sliding mode control law is constructed for a class of higher order nonlinear systems subject disturbances. Furthermore, a finite-time disturbance observer-based integral terminal sliding mode control law is proposed, and strict theoretical analysis shows that the composite integral terminal sliding mode control approach can eliminate chattering completely without losing disturbance attenuation ability and performance robustness of integral terminal sliding mode control. Simulation examples are given to illustrate the simplicity of the new design approach and effectiveness.
The Editor’s Note: Equity in anxious times
Authors: Heller Rafael
Published: April 2019

The March 2019 Varsity Blues scandal brought to light how wealthy parents have cheated to get their children into top colleges. But even without cheating, affluent students receive many advantages in education. As economic anxiety continues to bubble up, the question of how schools can provide more equitable opportunities for children becomes even more important, argues Rafael Heller.
Ensuring equitable access to great teachers: State policy priorities
Authors: Ross Elizabeth
Published: April 2019

Research reliably demonstrates that teachers are the most important in-school factor affecting students’ learning and lives. Yet on myriad measures of teacher quality, students from low-income families and students of color are less likely to have equitable access to excellent teachers. States set forth their plans to address any existing disparities in vulnerable students’ access to great teachers under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). However, after analyzing the specific provisions related to teacher equity in all 50 states and the District of Columbia’s ESSA plans, the National Council on Teacher Quality found significant opportunities for improvement, as well as limited promising practices.
Them that’s got? How school partnerships can perpetuate inequalities
Authors: Bridwell-Mitchell Ebony N.
Published: April 2019

Education policy makers often encourage public schools to form partnerships with community organizations, businesses, and higher education institutions. In theory, such partnerships can help struggling schools gain resources that they are unable to acquire through local, state, and federal funding mechanisms. However, as Ebony Bridwell-Mitchell explains, the schools with the greatest need are not the most likely ones to form partnerships. The likelihood of forming partnerships tends to be linked not with the intensity of a school’s needs but, rather, with the strength of the school’s existing social network — which tends to favor schools that already have more advantages. Schools have greater success forming partnerships if they already have established partnerships, if they have close connections to potential partners, if there’s limited competition for partners, and if they’re part of a dense network where it’s easy to find connections to potential partners.
The value of interracial facilitation of racial equity training
Authors: Ngounou Gislaine N. , Gutiérrez Nancy B.
Published: April 2019

As school and district leaders become more aware of how racial bias and racism affects interactions within the schools, some have sought to provide anti-bias training to faculty and staff. Drawing on the research into anti-bias and racial equity training, and their own experiences, Gislaine Ngounou and Nancy Gutierrez explain why it is beneficial to have an inter-racial team lead such training. By bringing multiple backgrounds and perspectives to the learning experience, an interracial team will give a broader array of participants someone to relate to as they have difficult conversations about identity. Such teams can also model vulnerability and productive conflict as they offer their different perspectives. The authors present principles for how such teams can work together and examples of conversations and experiences interracial facilitators have while leading training sessions.
On Leadership: Can we keep SEL on course?
Authors: Starr Joshua P.
Published: April 2019

A longtime advocate for social and emotional learning, Phi Delta Kappa’s CEO, Joshua Starr, shares his concerns about the current state of the SEL movement, particularly the fuzziness of its terminology, the simplistic ways in which it is often commercialized and implemented, and its uncertain implications for racial and economic equity. He closes with a number of suggestions for school and district leaders.
Making Problems: The Inventive Potential of the Arts for Alcohol and Other Drug Research
Authors: Dennis Fay
Published: April 2019

The arts and arts-based methods are rarely visible in critical studies of alcohol and other drugs. This article explores the potential role of the arts for allowing research on alcohol and other drug problems to develop in more collaborative (with participants, broadly conceived) and thus more generative ways. Following turns in the field toward the performativity of alcohol and other drug realities, this article instead asks: What happens if we take the “experimentality of social life” as our starting point for research rather than our object? That is to say, how can we work with our already inventive alcohol and other drug worlds to know and intervene with them in closer, more intimate ways? Through ethnographic engagement with a community theater group for people who identify as having experiences of dependency or addiction, the article looks at how they “set up” and “stage” the problem they seek to research and enact through embodied, sensorial, and relational modes of knowing that are created speculatively together and with the audience and environment. As we now accept that our methods in critical drug studies are entwined with the realities they make, this article intends to awaken our methodological imagination and attentiveness to the arts as the discipline that has always made things to know things in order to enable problems to not only be known in new ways but to emerge in new ways.
Driver Behavior in Yielding to Sighted and Blind Pedestrians at Roundabouts
Authors: Geruschat Duane R. , Hassan Shirin E.
Published: April 2019

This study evaluated drivers’ behavior in yielding the right-of-way to sighted and blind pedestrians who stood at different stopping distances from the crosswalk lines at entry and exit lanes at two different roundabouts. The findings demonstrate that drivers’ willingness to yield to pedestrians is affected by whether they are attempting to cross at the entry or exit to the roundabout and, under some conditions, by the presence of a long cane.
The National Sports Education Camps Project: Introducing Sports Skills to Students with Visual Impairments through Short-term Specialized Instruction
Authors: Ponchillia Paul E. , Armbruster Jennifer , Wiebold Jennipher
Published: April 2019

The National Sports Education Camps Project (NSEC), a joint partnership between Western Michigan University and the United States Association of Blind Athletes, provides short-term interventions to teach sports to children with visual impairments. A study comparing 321 students with visual impairments, ranging in age from 8 to 19 years, before and after they participated in the camp found that they knew more about sports, were able to jump and throw farther, held more positive attitudes, and were more likely to become involved in local sports activities. Benefits of short-term specialized programming and implications for practice were also examined.
Variability in the Length and Frequency of Steps of Sighted and Visually Impaired Walkers
Authors: Mason Sarah J. , Legge Gordon E. , Kallie Christopher S.
Published: April 2019

The variability of the length and frequency of steps was measured in sighted and visually impaired walkers at three different paces. The variability was low, especially at the preferred pace, and similar for both groups. A model incorporating step counts and step frequency provides good estimates of the distance traveled. Applications to wayfinding technology are discussed.
A targeted assessment and intervention at the time of discharge reduced the risk of readmissions for short-term hospitalized older patients: a randomized controlled study
Authors: Lindhardt Tove , Loevgreen Susan Mai , Bang Brigitte , Bigum Catja , Klausen Tobias W
Published: April 2019

Objective:

The aim of this study was to test and compare the effect of (1) a systematic discharge assessment with targeted advice and (2) a motivational interview followed by a home visit.

Design:

This was a three-armed randomized controlled study.

Setting:

This study was conducted in the Medical department in a university hospital.

Subjects:

Patients ⩾65 years of age with health problems at discharge participated in the study.

Interventions:

Group A ( n = 117): patients were informed of health problems and self-care interventions; Group B ( n = 116): a motivational conversation targeting activities of daily living with a home care nurse and a home visit.

Main measures:

The main measures of this study were readmissions, handgrip strength, chair-to-stand test, health-related quality of life, depression signs, mortality, and call on municipality services.

Results:

Risk of readmission was reduced for intervention groups by 30% (A; P = 0.26) and 22 % (B; P = 0.46). Mean number of days to first readmission was 49.5 (±51.0) days for the control group ( n = 116) and 57.9 (±53.6) and 67.2 (±58.1) days for the intervention groups A ( P  = 0.43) and B ( P  = 0.10), respectively. Mean loss of handgrip strength was 10.6 (±16.6) kg for men in the control group and 7 (±19.2) and 1.4 (±17.1) kg for the intervention groups A ( P  = 0.38) and B ( P  = 0.01), respectively. Health-related quality of life improved with 0.3 (±23.7) points in the control group and 7.4 (±24.4) and 3.2 (±22.3) points in the intervention groups A ( P = 0.04) and B ( P  = 0.37), respectively. In total, 17 (16.3%) in the control group were provided with assistive devices after three months and 8 (7.3%) and 19 (17.6%) in the intervention groups A ( P = 0.04) and B ( P  = 0.81), respectively.

Conclusion:

The interventions reduced the risk of readmission and improved handgrip strength, quality of life, and use of assistive devices.
Lane-by-Lane Analysis Framework for Conducting Highway Capacity Analyses at Freeway Segments
Authors: Sasahara Fabio , Elefteriadou Lily , Dong Shen
Published: April 2019

The Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) methodology for freeway systems yields average speed values for each segment and does not consider lane-by-lane flow and operational conditions. However, flows are not equally distributed between lanes. In congested conditions and particularly when spillback occurs, flows and traffic conditions vary widely. For example, the rightmost lane may be blocked while the leftmost lane is free-flowing. The purpose of this research is to develop a model for estimating lane-by-lane speeds and flows under various freeway designs and demands. Speed and flow data from loop detectors at several locations around the USA were collected, totaling 531,000 observations aggregated in 15-min intervals. The results show that lane flow distribution is highly dependent on the segment total flow, with different patterns for 4-, 6-, and 8-lane segments. The percentage of heavy vehicles, presence of nearby ramps, day of week, and time of day also affect the distribution of flow among freeway lanes. Theoretical lane-by-lane speed-flow curves were developed and the results were compared with field data. Results showed that lane-by-lane speeds can be estimated accurately, as long as inputs for capacity and free-flow speeds can be provided for each lane in the segment.
Capacity Analysis and Cooperative Lane Changing for Connected and Automated Vehicles: Entropy-Based Assessment Method
Authors: Shi Yunpeng , He Qing , Huang Zhitong
Published: April 2019

Connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) are poised to transform how we manage and control the existing traffic. CAVs can provide accurate distance sensing and adaptive cruise control which make shorter headway possible, and will eventually increase the roadway throughput or capacity. The vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication technology equipment on CAVs allows vehicles to exchange information and form platoons more efficiently. This paper uses the intelligent driver model (IDM) as the behavior model to simulate CAVs in mixed traffic conditions with both CAVs and human-driven vehicles (HDVs) under different CAV penetration rates. A cooperative CAV lane-changing model is introduced to build more CAV platoons. The model develops two lane-changing algorithms. Partial CAV lane change (PAL) is applied at low CAV percentages, whereas full CAV lane change (FAL) is used at high CAV percentages. In addition, block entropy is employed as a performance measure for lane-changing results. The simulation experiments show that capacity will increase as the CAV percentage grows, and the peak growth rates occur in medium CAV percentage between 40% and 70%. The cooperative CAV lane-changing algorithm is found to decrease HDV–CAV conflicts remarkably by 37% as well as to marginally increase capacity by 2.5% under all CAV percentages. The simulation performance suggests that the threshold of CAV penetration rate for switching PAL to FAL is approximately 55%. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that block entropy can measure CAV lane-changing performance efficiently and represent capacity changes to some extent.
Regionalizing the Quality Assurance Processes in New England Area for Pre-Stressed and Precast Concrete Elements used in Highway Construction
Authors: Nemati Rasool , Dave Eshan V. , Sias Jo E. , Perkins Alan D.
Published: April 2019

The use of quality assurance (QA) processes in highway infrastructure is critical to ensure durable, safe, and economical transportation operations. These processes ensure the desired level of quality is maintained throughout manufacturing. Precast and pre-stressed concrete elements are commonly used in highway construction projects, including many bridge elements and drainage components. Owing to their widespread usage, it is necessary to have a comprehensive QA process that includes plant certification, manufacturer’s process and quality control, and agency inspection and acceptance testing. In many cases, one manufacturing plant will serve a region, fabricating a variety of elements for many state departments of transportation (DOTs). Since different state DOTs may have different QA processes in their specifications, the plants need to adjust the fabrication process with respect to these criteria, which results in higher expenses and lower productivity. Furthermore, each agency will need to provide inspection and acceptance testing resources at a fabricator’s location. This study reviews and evaluates the current QA processes for precast and pre-stressed concrete elements used in highway construction in the New England region. Based on a review of current practices, a set of unified QA process recommendations have been developed. This will result in significant financial savings by reducing the number of QA inspectors if the manufacturers for different construction projects around the region follow a unified procedure for maintaining and evaluating the quality of their products. Recommendations for plant/producer prequalification, pre-placement, during placement, and post-placement quality control and agency inspection practices have been developed and are presented.
Characterization of Growth Factors, Cytokines, and Chemokines in Bone Marrow Concentrate and Platelet-Rich Plasma: A Prospective Analysis
Authors: Ziegler Connor G. , Van Sloun Rachel , Gonzalez Sabrina , Whitney Kaitlyn E. , DePhillipo Nicholas N. , Kennedy Mitchell I. , Dornan Grant J. , Evans Thos A. , Huard Johnny , LaPrade Robert F.
Published: April 2019

Background:

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow concentrate (BMC) are orthobiologic therapies with numerous growth factors and other bioactive molecules. Before the clinical utility of PRP and BMC is optimized as a combined therapy or monotherapy, an improved understanding of the components and respective concentrations is necessary.

Purpose:

To prospectively measure and compare anabolic, anti-inflammatory, and proinflammatory growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines in bone marrow aspirate (BMA), BMC, whole blood, leukocyte-poor PRP (LP-PRP), and leukocyte-rich PRP (LR-PRP) from samples collected and processed concurrently on the same day from patients presenting for elective knee surgery.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Patients presenting for elective knee surgery were prospectively enrolled over a 3-week period. Whole blood from peripheral venous draw and BMA from the posterior iliac crest were immediately processed via centrifugation and manual extraction methods to prepare LR-PRP, LP-PRP, and BMC samples, respectively. BMA, BMC, whole blood, LR-PRP, and LP-PRP samples were immediately assayed and analyzed to measure protein concentrations.

Results:

BMC had a significantly higher interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) concentration than all other preparations (all P < .0009). LR-PRP also had a significantly higher IL-1Ra concentration than LP-PRP ( P = .0006). There were no significant differences in IL-1Ra concentration based on age, sex, body mass index, or chronicity of injury in all preparations. LR-PRP had significantly higher concentrations of platelet-derived growth factor AA (PDGF-AA) and PDGF-AB/BB than all other preparations (all P < .0006). LR-PRP also had significantly higher concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) and soluble CD40 ligand than all other preparations (all P < .004). LP-PRP had significantly higher concentrations of MMPs, namely MMP-2, MMP-3, and MMP-12, than all other preparations (all P < .007).

Conclusion:

BMC is a clinically relevant source of anti-inflammatory biologic therapy that may be more effective in treating osteoarthritis and for use as an intra-articular biologic source for augmented healing in the postsurgical inflammatory and healing phases, owing to its significantly higher concentration of IL-1Ra as compared with LR-PRP and LP-PRP. Additionally, LR-PRP had a significantly higher concentration of IL-1Ra than LP-PRP. In cases where increased vascularity and healing are desired for pathological or injured tissues, including muscle and tendon, LR-PRP may be optimal given its higher overall concentrations of PDGF, TGF-β, EGF, VEGF, and soluble CD40 ligand.
The Benefits of Parenteral Nutrition (PN) Versus Enteral Nutrition (EN) Among Adult Critically Ill Patients: What is the Evidence? A Literature Review
Authors: Cadena Angel Joel , Habib Sara , Rincon Fred , Dobak Stephanie
Published: April 2019

Malnutrition is frequently seen among patients in the intensive care unit. Evidence shows that optimal nutritional support can lead to better clinical outcomes. Recent clinical trials debate over the efficacy of enteral nutrition (EN) over parenteral nutrition (PN). Multiple trials have studied the impact of EN versus PN in terms of health-care cost and clinical outcomes (including functional status, cost, infectious complications, mortality risk, length of hospital and intensive care unit stay, and mechanical ventilation duration). The aim of this review is to address the question: In critically ill adult patients requiring nutrition support, does EN compared to PN favorably impact clinical outcomes and health-care costs?
Development and characterization of a polypropylene matrix composite and aluminum hybrid material
Authors: Yeole Pritesh , Ning Haibin , Hassen Ahmed Arabi
Published: April 2019

Hybridizing different materials, such as metals and polymer matrix composites, has recently drawn attention as it can produce a unique material that offers advantages from both the metals and the composites. However, the strict surface preparation required, a relatively low production rate, and the resultant weak interface have been the hurdles for this technology. The low surface energy of some polymeric materials, such as polypropylene (PP) and their composites, has posed even more challenges when bonding with metals. This work aims to develop a hybridized PP matrix composite and aluminum with through thickness reinforcements (TTRs) at a high production rate and with minimal treatment. Long glass fiber PP matrix composite (LFT glass/PP) is integrated with aluminum sheet using an extrusion–compression molding process at a rate of 2 minutes per plate. The bonding between these two materials is achieved using the TTRs on the aluminum sheet that provide mechanical locking at the interface. The hybridized aluminum and glass/PP LFT material is evaluated on its performance in lap shear, short beam shear, flexure, and tension. It is concluded that the mechanical locking at the interface provides a lap shear bonding strength of 6.8 MPa, and the hybridized material has significantly improved tensile and flexural modulus as well as strength compared to the glass/PP LFT only. The same approach can be readily extended to hybridizing other polymer matrix composites with metallic materials.
How much apoptosis does carbon monoxide poisoning cause? Primary clinical soluble TWEAK protein level study
Authors: Dindar Badem N , Cömertpay E , Coşkun F
Published: April 2019

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an important cause of deaths via poisoning. CO poisoning causes inhibition of O2 transport and development of tissue hypoxia, which then causes cell apoptosis. A significant indicator of cell apoptosis, soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) protein, is important for the stimulation of apoptosis. The primary purpose of this study is to determine whether apoptosis occurs during acute CO poisoning and to show that sTWEAK protein is an indicator of apoptosis that can be analyzed as a marker in the peripheral blood sample. The secondary aim is to determine the diagnostic and prognostic values of sTWEAK protein. The study was performed prospectively on 43 patients with CO poisoning and 30 healthy volunteer control individuals. The anamneses were taken from all patients, who also underwent physical examination. Complete blood count, biochemical markers, cardiac enzymes, and arterial blood gas measurements were analyzed. All the patients’ sTWEAK protein levels were also analyzed. The sTWEAK protein level of patients with CO poisoning was 2278 pg/mL (1197–7234), while the level of the control group was 1609 pg/mL (310–3721). The patients’ sTWEAK levels were significantly higher than the controls (area under the curve: 0.77 (0.66–0.89); p < 0.001), and the cutoff value was determined as 1895.50 pg/mL. The cutoff level had a sensitivity of 74.4%, a specificity of 76.7%, a positive predictive value of 82.0%, and a negative predictive value of 67.6%. sTWEAK is a significant indicator of apoptosis in CO poisoning that can be analyzed in the peripheral blood. However, further clinical trials are needed in terms of prognostic criteria.
Acupuncture treatment and the risk of urinary tract infection in stroke patients: a nationwide matched cohort study
Authors: Yang Jen-Lin , Chen Ta-Liang , Yeh Chun-Chieh , Hu Chaur-Jong , Liao Chien-Chang , Lane Hsin-Long , Shih Chun-Chuan
Published: April 2019

Background:

The association between acupuncture treatment and post-stroke urinary tract infection (UTI) remains incompletely understood.

Objective:

To compare the long-term risks of UTI among stroke patients treated with or without acupuncture treatment.

Methods:

This retrospective cohort study was based on data from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan that included hospitalized stroke patients. We identified 19,286 patients aged 30 years and older who were hospitalized for newly diagnosed stroke between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2004. Considering immortal time bias, we compared the incidence of UTI during the follow-up period until the end of 2009 in patients with stroke who did and did not receive acupuncture. The adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of UTI associated with acupuncture were calculated using multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis.

Results:

Stroke patients who received acupuncture treatment experienced a lower incidence of UTI than those who were not treated with acupuncture (95.4 vs 110.0 per 1000 person-years) with an HR of 0.76 (95% CI: 0.73–0.80). The association between acupuncture treatment and UTI was significant for both sexes and for patients older than 40 years of age, particularly for patients who had no history of medical conditions.

Conclusions:

In this nationwide retrospective cohort study, we raised the possibility that acupuncture treatment may be associated with a reduced risk of UTI among stroke patients. However, the protective effect associated with acupuncture treatment requires further validation using randomized clinical trials.
Factors Inducing Entrepreneurship: A Study of MSMEs in Aizawl District, Mizoram
Authors: Lalhunthara
Published: April 2019

Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) play a predominant role in the socio-economic development of the country. They are considered to be the growth engine that triggers developmental process. Besides solving the problems of unemployment and poverty, this help generates additional family income. Mizoram is one of the most industrially backward states in India. Though some progress in industrial development was experienced and the MSME sector gradually gained momentum especially service industries, the growth of industry and industrial development in the state is relatively slow owing to its topographical and geographical disadvantages. Mizoram is predominantly an agricultural economy and lags far behind than the rest of the country as far as industrial development is concerned. The entire state has been notified as backward and is categorised as ‘no industry state’ due to non-existence of large and medium enterprises. Mostly MSMEs exist while big enterprises are almost absent. Development of industries in the state is an uphill task as the investors remain fearful to invest due to its topography, small size market, entry restrictions, low-end infrastructure and such other related factors. In this context, MSMEs play an important role in the industrial scenario of the state. This article, based on a study of 406 MSMEs in Aizawl district, Mizoram, attempts to trace out the factors which induced the entrepreneurs to start business activities.
Understanding MRI in clinical psychiatry: perspectives from neuroimaging psychiatry registrars
Authors: Wibawa Pierre , Rego Thomas , Velakoulis Dennis , Gaillard Frank
Published: April 2019

Objective:

Based on the experiences of neuroimaging psychiatry registrars, we describe several reflections on improving the understanding and integration of magnetic resonance imaging in clinical psychiatry.

Conclusion:

Better integration of magnetic resonance imaging into clinical psychiatry can be highly productive when our investments are focused on understanding the gaps in clinical knowledge and the systemic barriers involving the patient and relevant clinicians.
Teaching Ambition Realized: Paul’s Beginning Music Teacher Identity
Authors: Draves Tami J.
Published: April 2019

The purpose of this particularistic case study was to explore Paul’s teacher identity in his first year as a music educator. I chose Paul purposively because, while a high school senior, he had participated in previous research about teacher socialization. Using Olsen’s sociocultural view of teacher identity as a lens, I examined Paul’s teacher identity including personal beliefs about teaching, how those interacted with professional learning and teacher education experiences, and how Paul made sense of himself as a teacher. Through data analysis I revealed three themes: Becoming Student Focused, Learning to Be Myself as a Teacher, and Taking Ownership. I recommend making preservice and cooperating music teachers more aware of teacher identity models and suggest activities to promote teacher identity development in music teacher education programs. Music teacher educators would benefit from having more teacher identity scholarship focused on music student teachers and beginning music educators.
Safety of Antithymocyte Globulin in Patients Undergoing Liver Transplantation With Livers From Donation After Circulatory Death Donors
Authors: Jorgenson Margaret R. , Descourouez Jillian L. , Felix Daniel C , Hanlon Bret M. , Leverson Glen E. , Foley David P.
Published: April 2019

Background: Studies suggest that rabbit-antithymocyte globulin (rATG) decreases biliary complications (BCs) after donation-after-circulatory-death-donor liver transplantation (DCD LTx), but safety data are lacking. Objective: Our aim was to assess the safety of rATG for this indication. The secondary end point was efficacy of rATG for this indication. Methods: Adult recipients of DCD LTx were divided into 2 cohorts: protocolized use of rATG in the modern era (July 1, 2013, to December 31, 2016) and a historical control without rATG (January 1, 2005, to June 30, 2013). Incidence of infection, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia were compared for the safety assessment, incidence of BCs, ischemic cholangiopathy (IC), and transplant outcomes for the efficacy assessment. Results: A total of 83 patients met inclusion criteria: 42 in the historical cohort and 41 in the modern cohort. The modern cohort had significantly fewer bacterial infections at 3 months (historical 54.8% vs modern 23%; P = 0.004) and 1 year (historical 62.1% vs modern 34.2%, P = 0.004). The modern cohort also had fewer fungal infections at these time points (historical 33.3% and 47.9% vs modern 15% and 15%; P = 0.001). There were no significant differences in platelet or white blood cell reduction between groups. There was a nonsignificant, but numerical, trend toward reduced IC/BC in the modern cohort at 1 year (IC: historical 30.1% vs modern 13.2%, P = 0.08; BC: historical 51% vs modern 37.5%, P = 0.13). There was no difference in graft/patient survival. Conclusion and Relevance: Our data suggest no major safety issues with rATG in DCD LTx. Our study should ease clinical apprehension surrounding rATG use for this indication. Future prospective studies are needed to further evaluate the role of rATG and its impact on efficacy end points.
Assessing Postsecondary Barriers for Rural Appalachian High School Students
Authors: Gibbons Melinda M. , Taylor Anna Lora , Brown Emily , Daniels Stephanie K. , Hardin Erin E. , Manring Sam
Published: April 2019

Social cognitive career theory indicates that perceived barriers negatively affect career and educational self-efficacy beliefs and may also impact interests, goals, and actions. However, measurement of barriers has produced mixed results, and few quantitative studies explore the perceived barriers of rural Appalachian students. In this series of studies, we explored the perceived educational and career barriers of rural Appalachian high school students. Our goal was to identify perceived barriers, but as initial results were analyzed, we then shifted to how best to measure barriers and how culture impacted the reporting of barriers by rural Appalachian students. The results of our mixed-method series of studies offer ideas on how cultural values and beliefs may skew reporting of contextual influences on career and education.
Analysis of Unstructured Text-Based Data Using Machine Learning Techniques: The Case of Pediatric Emergency Department Records in Nicaragua
Authors: Lorenzoni Giulia , Bressan Silvia , Lanera Corrado , Azzolina Danila , Da Dalt Liviana , Gregori Dario
Published: April 2019

Free-text information is still widely used in emergency department (ED) records. Machine learning techniques are useful for analyzing narratives, but they have been used mostly for English-language data sets. Considering such a framework, the performance of an ML classification task of a Spanish-language ED visits database was tested. ED visits collected in the EDs of nine hospitals in Nicaragua were analyzed. Spanish-language, free-text discharge diagnoses were considered in the analysis. Five-hundred random forests were trained on a set of bootstrap samples of the whole data set (1,789 ED visits) to perform the classification task. For each one, after having identified optimal parameter value, the final validated model was trained on the whole bootstrapped data set and tested. The classification accuracies had a median of 0.783 (95% CI [0.779, 0.796]). Machine learning techniques seemed to be a promising opportunity for the exploitation of unstructured information reported in ED records in low- and middle-income Spanish-speaking countries.
The Real-Life Effectiveness and Safety of Omalizumab Updosing in Patients With Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria
Authors: Salman Andac , Comert Elif
Published: April 2019

Background:

Omalizumab is a third-line treatment for chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). Studies investigating the use of higher doses of omalizumab in patients unresponsive to regular doses are limited.

Objectives:

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness and safety of omalizumab 450 mg in CSU.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort study was conducted. The response to therapy was evaluated using the Urticaria Activity Score over 7 days (UAS7) and the Urticaria Control Test (UCT). Patients showing complete response (CR) (UAS7: 0-1) to omalizumab 300 mg (Group 1) and patients receiving at least 3 doses of omalizumab 450 mg (Group 2) between 2016 and 2018 were included.

Results:

A total of 72 patients (Group 1: 59; Group 2: 13) were included. In Group 2, the mean UAS7 score decreased from 18.6 to 5.1 and the mean UCT score increased from 8.6 to 12 after a mean 4.3 courses of 450 mg omalizumab treatment. Of the 13 patients in Group 2, 6 had CR and 3 had good disease control (UAS7: 2-6). The rate of patients with low baseline IgE levels (< 43 IU/mL) was significantly higher in Group 2.

Conclusions:

Higher doses of omalizumab are effective and safe in patients with CSU that is unresponsive to omalizumab 300 mg. Lower baseline total IgE levels might be used as a predictor of nonresponse to omalizumab and the need for higher doses.
What do voters do when they prefer a leader from another party?
Authors: Daoust Jean-François , Blais André , Péloquin-Skulski Gabrielle
Published: April 2019

There is little research on voters who display incongruent preferences, that is, those who prefer a leader from another party than their preferred one. We address two questions. How many voters prefer a leader from another party? Do these incongruent voters vote for their preferred party or leader? We use the Comparative Study of Electoral Systems (CSES) data sets covering 83 legislative elections over a time period of 20 years (1996–2016). We find that 17% of the electorate typically prefer a leader from another party. In that group, the vast majority (80%) end up supporting their preferred party while 20% of voters support their preferred leader. We find that partisans and those located at the extremes of the political spectrum tend to have more congruent preferences. Moreover, the proportion of incongruent voters who cast their vote for their preferred leader is higher in less established and less polarized countries as well as among non-partisans. We discuss the implications of our findings for our understanding of the role of parties and leaders in contemporary democracies.