bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of BMI and interpregnancy BMI change with birth outcomes in an Australian obstetric population: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Knight-Agarwal Catherine R , Williams Lauren T , Davis Deborah , Davey Rachel , Cochrane Tom , Zhang Huanhua , Rickwood Peter
Published: May 2016

Objective

To assess maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with increasing body mass index (BMI) and interpregnancy BMI changes in an Australian obstetric population.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study from 2008 to 2013 was undertaken. BMI for 14 875 women was categorised as follows: underweight (≤18 kg/m2); normal weight (19–24 kg/m2); overweight (25–29 kg/m2); obese class I (30–34 kg/m2); obese class II (35–39 kg/m2) and obese class III (40+ kg/m2). BMI categories and maternal, neonatal and birthing outcomes were examined using logistic regression. Interpregnancy change in BMI and the risk of adverse outcomes in the subsequent pregnancy were also examined.

Results

Within this cohort, 751 (5.1%) women were underweight, 7431 (50.0%) had normal BMI, 3748 (25.1%) were overweight, 1598 (10.8%) were obese class I, 737 (5.0%) were obese class II and 592 (4.0%) were obese class III. In bivariate adjusted models, obese women were at an increased risk of caesarean section, gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and neonatal morbidities including macrosomia, large for gestational age (LGA), hypoglycaemia, low 5 min Apgar score and respiratory distress. Multiparous women who experienced an interpregnancy increase of ≥3 BMI units had a higher adjusted OR (AOR) (CI) of the following adverse outcomes in their subsequent pregnancy: low 5-min Apgar score 3.242 (1.557 to 7.118); gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) 3.258 (1.129 to 10.665) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy 3.922 (1.243 to 14.760). These women were more likely to give birth vaginally 2.030 (1.417 to 2.913). Conversely, women whose parity changed from 0 to 1 and who experienced an interpregnancy increase of ≥3 BMI units had a higher AOR (CI) of caesarean section in their second pregnancy 1.806 (1.139 to 2.862).

Conclusions

Women who are overweight or obese have a significantly increased risk of various adverse outcomes. Interpregnancy weight gain, regardless of parity and baseline BMI, also increases various adverse outcomes. Effective weight management strategies are needed.
Health coaching and pedometers to enhance physical activity and prevent falls in community-dwelling people aged 60 years and over: study protocol for the Coaching for Healthy AGEing (CHAnGE) cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Tiedemann Anne , Rissel Chris , Howard Kirsten , Tong Allison , Merom Dafna , Smith Stuart , Wickham James , Bauman Adrian , Lord Stephen R , Vogler Constance , Lindley Richard I , Simpson Judy M , Allman-Farinelli Margaret , Sherrington Catherine
Published: May 2016

Introduction

Prevention of falls and promotion of physical activity are essential for maximising well-being in older age. However, there is evidence that promoting physical activity among older people without providing fall prevention advice may increase fall rates. This trial aims to establish the impact of a physical activity and fall prevention programme compared with a healthy eating programme on physical activity and falls among people aged 60+ years.

Methods and analysis

This cluster randomised controlled trial will involve 60 groups of community-dwelling people aged 60+ years. Participating groups will be randomised to: (1) a physical activity and fall prevention intervention (30 groups), involving written information, fall risk assessment and prevention advice, a pedometer-based physical activity tracker and telephone-based health coaching; or (2) a healthy eating intervention (30 groups) involving written information and telephone-based dietary coaching. Primary outcomes will be objectively measured physical activity at 12 months post-randomisation and self-reported falls throughout the 12-month trial period. Secondary outcomes include: the proportion of fallers, the proportion of people meeting the Australian physical activity guidelines, body mass index, eating habits, mobility goal attainment, mobility-related confidence, quality of life, fear of falling, risk-taking behaviour, mood, well-being, self-reported physical activity, disability, and health and community service use. The between-group difference in the number of falls per person-year will be analysed using negative binomial regression models. For the continuously scored primary and secondary outcome measures, linear regression adjusted for corresponding baseline scores will assess the effect of group allocation. Analyses will be preplanned, conducted while masked to group allocation, will take into account cluster randomisation, and will use an intention-to-treat approach.

Ethics and dissemination

Protocol has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee at The University of Sydney, Australia (number 2015/517). Results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed journal articles, international conference presentations and participants' newsletters.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12615001190594.
The lifetime of axion stars
Authors: Eby Joshua , Suranyi Peter , Wijewardhana L. C. R.
Published: May 2016

We investigate the decay of condensates of scalars in a field theory defined by [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are the mass and decay constant of the scalar field. An example of such a theory is that of the axion, in which case the condensates are called axion stars. The axion field, [Formula: see text], is self-adjoint. As a result, the axion number is not an absolutely conserved quantity. Therefore, axion stars are not stable and have finite lifetimes. Bound axions, localized on the volume of the star, have a coordinate uncertainty [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the radius of the star and [Formula: see text]. Here [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are the mass, and the ground state energy of the bound axion. Then the momentum distribution of axions has a width of [Formula: see text]. At strong binding, [Formula: see text], bound axions can easily transfer a sufficient amount of momentum to create and emit a free axion, leading to fast decay of the star with a transition rate [Formula: see text]. However, when [Formula: see text], the momentum distribution is more restricted, and as shown in this paper, the transition rate for creating a free axion decreases as [Formula: see text]. Then sufficiently large, weakly bound axion stars, produced after the Big Bang, survive until the present time. We plot the region of their stability, limited by decay through axion loss and by gravitational instability, as a function of the mass of the axion and the mass of the star.
Rotating black holes in the teleparallel equivalent of general relativity
Authors: Nashed Gamal G. L.
Published: May 2016

We derive set of solutions with flat transverse sections in the framework of a teleparallel equivalent of general relativity which describes rotating black holes. The singularities supported from the invariants of torsion and curvature are explained. We investigate that there appear more singularities in the torsion scalars than in the curvature ones. The conserved quantities are discussed using Einstein–Cartan geometry. The physics of the constants of integration is explained through the calculations of conserved quantities. These calculations show that there is a unique solution that may describe true physical black hole.
Seismic Performance and Lateral Stability of RC Frames with Vertical Irregular Infill Arrangements
Authors: Yuen Terry Y. P. , Kuang J. S.
Published: May 2016

In this paper, the effects of vertical irregularity of masonry-infill wall arrangements on the seismic performance and lateral stability of reinforced concrete (RC) frames have been investigated using nonlinear response history analysis. Discrete finite element models, which are endowed with a damage-based cohesive crack modeling, were developed for six prototype structures with different arrangements of infill panels. The analysis of failure modes and lateral force transfer mechanisms of infilled frames shows that the arrangement of infill panels can critically affect the dynamic properties and structural stability under seismic excitations. Diagonal continuity, infill ratios, and eccentricity of infill walls play essential roles in the lateral-load and displacement capacities of the structures. The hysteresis behavior, failure modes, and force transfer mechanisms of RC frames with concentric and eccentric arrangements of infill panels are compared and their implications on the seismic resistant design are discussed.
Cleanix
Authors: Wang Hongzhi , Li Mingda , Bu Yingyi , Li Jianzhong , Gao Hong , Zhang Jiacheng
Published: May 2016

For big data, data quality problem is more serious. Big data cleaning system requires scalability and the abilityof handling mixed errors. Motivated by this, we develop Cleanix, a prototype system for cleaning relational Big Data. Cleanix takes data integrated from multiple data sources and cleans them on a shared-nothing machine cluster. The backend system is built on-top-of an extensible and flexible data-parallel substrate the Hyracks framework. Cleanix supports various data cleaning tasks such as abnormal value detection and correction, incomplete data filling, de-duplication, and conflict resolution. In this paper, we show the organization, data cleaning algorithms as well as the design of Cleanix.
How Connected are the ACM SIG Communities?
Authors: Benevenuto Fabricio , Laender Alberto H.F. , Alves Bruno L.
Published: May 2016

Currently, computer scientists publish more in conferences than journals and several conferences are the main venue in many computer science subareas. There has been considerable debate about the role of conferences for computer science research and one of the main arguments in favor of them is that conferences bring researchers together, allowing them to enhance collaborations and establish research communities in a young and fast-evolving discipline. In this work, we investigate if computer science conferences are really able to create collaborative research communities by analyzing the structure of the communities formed by the flagship conferences of several ACM SIGs. Our findings show that most of these flagship conferences are able to connect their main authors in large and well-structured communities. However, we have noted that in a few ACM SIG flagship conferences authors do not collaborate over the years, creating a structure with several small disconnected components.
Center Symmetric Local Multilevel Pattern Based Descriptor and Its Application in Image Matching
Authors: Zeng Hui , Wang Xiuqing , Gu Yu
Published: May 2016

This paper presents an effective local image region description method, called CS-LMP (Center Symmetric Local Multilevel Pattern) descriptor, and its application in image matching. The CS-LMP operator has no exponential computations, so the CS-LMP descriptor can encode the differences of the local intensity values using multiply quantization levels without increasing the dimension of the descriptor. Compared with the binary/ternary pattern based descriptors, the CS-LMP descriptor has better descriptive ability and computational efficiency. Extensive image matching experimental results testified the effectiveness of the proposed CS-LMP descriptor compared with other existing state-of-the-art descriptors.
The Effect of Levothyroxine Discontinuation Timing on Postoperative Hypothyroidism after Hemithyroidectomy for Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma
Authors: Ha Tae Kwun , Kim Dong Wook , Park Ha Kyoung , Baek Jin Wook , Lee Yoo Jin , Park Young Mi , Kim Do Hun , Jung Soo Jin , Ahn Ki Jung
Published: May 2016

Objective. No previous studies regarding the appropriate timing of thyroid hormone discontinuation after hemithyroidectomy have been published. This study aimed to identify the appropriate timing for levothyroxine discontinuation after hemithyroidectomy among patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC).Methods. This study retrospectively evaluated 304 patients who underwent ≥1 attempt to discontinue levothyroxine after hemithyroidectomy for treating PTMC between January 2008 and December 2013. Fifty-three patients were excluded because of preoperative hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, a history of thyroid hormone or antithyroid therapy, no available serological data, or a postoperative follow-up of <24 months. We evaluated the associations of successful levothyroxine discontinuation with patient age, sex, preoperative serological data, underlying thyroid gland histopathology, anteroposterior diameter of the residual thyroid gland, number of discontinuation attempts, and initial discontinuation timing.Results. Among the 251 included patients, 125 patients (49.8%) achieved successful levothyroxine discontinuation during the follow-up period after hemithyroidectomy. There was a significant difference in the outcomes for patients who underwent an initial discontinuation attempt at ≤3 months and ≥4 months after hemithyroidectomy (p< 0.001). There were significant differences in the discontinuation outcomes according to underlying thyroid histopathology (p= 0.001), preoperative thyroid-stimulating hormone levels (p< 0.001), and number of discontinuation attempts (p< 0.001).Conclusions. Among patients with PTMC, the initial levothyroxine discontinuation attempt is recommended at ≥4 months after hemithyroidectomy.
Quality Evaluation of Mobile Game: Miftah Alfasaha
Authors: Alhuhud Ghada , Altamimi Wejdan
Published: May 2016

Due to evolution of digital games towards mobile platforms, a large exposure to mobile games is nowadays recorded. This is because of the availability of the cell phone with individuals anytime anywhere. Hence, a vital role of game quality assessment is raised. This is for the purpose of serving as a guide for developing healthy games. Accordingly, the mobile games would help in boosting the educational entertainment, healthy diets control, and behavioral sciences studies and research. This paper presents quality assurance and quality models for ISO based educational game. In this paper, an ISO quality model is presented and quality application behavioral impact measures are justified to evaluate the development quality of Miftah Alfasaha game. The quality model and proposed quality assessment plan are tested through a CodePro Analytix tool and six sigma evaluations.
Postharvest Handling Practices and Treatment Methods for Tomato Handlers in Developing Countries: A Mini Review
Authors: Arah Isaac Kojo , Ahorbo Gerald K. , Anku Etornam Kosi , Kumah Ernest Kodzo , Amaglo Harrison
Published: May 2016

Tomato production has increased in recent years due to the economic and nutritional importance of the crop. This increase is made possible by the numerous research advances made along the entire value chain. However, scientific research has been focussed mainly on production whilst neglecting postharvest issues. Tomato producers have therefore enjoyed good harvests in recent times, though the good harvests of those from developing countries do not translate into profit as most are lost after harvest. From this study, it was revealed that the postharvest quality and shelf life of the fruit in part will depend on some postharvest handling practices and treatments carried out after harvest. Handling practices like harvesting, precooling, cleaning and disinfecting, sorting and grading, packaging, storing, and transportation played an important role in maintaining quality and extending shelf life. Using appropriate postharvest treatments like refrigeration, heat treatment, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and calcium chloride (CaCl2) application was also vital. It was concluded by this study that the quality of the harvested fruit can be maintained and shelf life extended by using appropriate postharvest handling practices and treatment methods. Failure to adhere to these practices will result in a high amount of loss.
Paraneoplastic Syndrome in Splenic Marginal Zone Lymphoma: A Rare Phenomenon of Paraplegia as an Atypical Presenting Manifestation
Authors: Schering Jessica , Donthireddy Vijayalakshmi
Published: May 2016

We describe a case presenting complaint of complete lower body paraparesis, which was discovered to have splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL). While paraneoplastic syndromes are more common in tumors, such as small cell lung cancer, very few reports exist on this condition with SMZL. We describe such a rare entity with a clinical course spanning twenty-four months after diagnosis.
Similarity Solutions for Multiterm Time-Fractional Diffusion Equation
Authors: Elsaid A. , Abdel Latif M. S. , Maneea M.
Published: May 2016

Similarity method is employed to solve multiterm time-fractional diffusion equation. The orders of the fractional derivatives belong to the interval(0,1]and are defined in the Caputo sense. We illustrate how the problem is reduced from a multiterm two-variable fractional partial differential equation to a multiterm ordinary fractional differential equation. Power series solution is obtained for the resulting ordinary problem and the convergence of the series solution is discussed. Based on the obtained results, we propose a definition for a multiterm error function with generalized coefficients.
Tests and Models of Hydraulic Concrete Material with High Strength
Authors: Wang Yajun
Published: May 2016

The paper describes an investigation into the comprehensive sensitivities of Sino high strength hydraulic concrete to the addition levels of fly-ash powder and silica fume. Four fly-ash powder addition schemes (100, 120, 140, and 160 kg/m3) and four silica fume addition schemes (12.5, 17.5, 22.5, and 27.5 kg/m3) were considered, respectively. The curing ages’ effects were incorporated in this study. The sensitive feedbacks, including creep development, temperature rise procedure, and strain-stress constitution, have been analyzed. The simulation and test results indicate that the Sino high strength hydraulic concrete, prepared by 140 kg/m3fly-ash powder and 22.5 kg/m3silica fume, gives the superb strength, durability, and creep stability.
Prosthetics and Techniques in Repair of Animal’s Abdominal Wall
Authors: Karrouf Gamal , Zaghloul Adel , Abou-Alsaud Mohamed , Barbour Elie , Abouelnasr Khaled
Published: May 2016

The management of abdominal wall repair continues to present a challenging problem, especially in the repair of major defects. Many abdominal wall defects can be repaired by primary closure; however, if the defect is large and there is a tension on the closure of the wound, the use of prosthetic materials becomes indispensable. Many studies have been performed with various materials and implant techniques, without the comparison of their degrees of success, based on sound meta-analysis and/or inclusive epidemiologic studies. This review covered the effectiveness of recent advances in prosthetic materials and implant procedures used in repair of abdominal wall, based on biomechanical properties and economic aspects of reconstructed large abdominal wall defects and hernias in animals. The presented results in this review helped to reach treatment algorithms that could maximize outcomes and minimize morbidity.
History and Global Burden of Viral Hepatitis
Authors: Blum Hubert E.
Published: May 2016

Between 1963 and 1989, 5 hepatotropic viruses have been discovered that are the major causes of viral hepatitides worldwide: hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis delta virus and hepatitis E virus. Their epidemiology and pathogenesis have been studied in great detail. Furthermore, the structure and genetic organization of their DNA or RNA genome including the viral life cycle have been elucidated and have been successfully translated into important clinical applications, such as the specific diagnosis, therapy and prevention of the associated liver diseases, including liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The prevalence of acute and chronic viral hepatitis A-E shows distinct geographic differences. The global burden of disease (prevalence, incidence, death, disability-adjusted life years) has been analyzed in seminal studies that show that the worldwide prevalence of hepatitis A-E has significantly decreased between 1990 and 2013. During the same time, the incidence of HBV-related liver cirrhosis and HCC, respectively, also decreased or increased slightly, the incidence of the HCV-related liver cirrhosis remained stable and the incidence of HCV-related HCC showed a major increase. During the coming years, we expect to improve our ability to prevent and effectively treat viral hepatitis A-E, resulting in the control of these global infections and the elimination of their associated morbidities and mortalities.
Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Treatment of Hemochromatosis
Authors: Zoller Heinz , Henninger Benjamin
Published: May 2016

Hemochromatosis is a common cause of chronic liver disease and HFE genotyping allows decisive and non-invasive diagnosis. Molecular and clinical genetic studies have led to the identification of genes other than HFE in patients with inherited diseases associated with increased hepatic iron storage that can cause hemochromatosis, which adds complexity to a diagnostic approach to patients with suspected hemochromatosis. Despite major advances in genetics, hepatic iron quantification by non-invasive methods therefore remains the key to the diagnosis of hemochromatosis. Although associated with homozygosity for the C282Y polymorphism in the HFE gene in >80% of patients, hemochromatosis is a complex genetic disease with strong environmental disease modifiers. Testing for mutations in the non-HFE hemochromatosis genes transferrin receptor 2, hemojuvelin, HAMP and SLC40A1 is complex, costly and time-consuming. Demonstration of hepatic iron overload by liver biopsy or MRI is therefore required before such complex tests are carried out. The pathogenesis of chronic liver disease in hemochromatosis is mainly attributed to the redox potential of tissue iron, and only the more recent studies have focused on the toxic properties of circulating iron. Considering the fact that an increased saturation of transferrin and high iron in plasma are the hallmark of all hemochromatosis forms, an alternative view would be that toxic iron in the circulation is involved in the pathogenesis of hemochromatosis. Recent studies have shown an increased concentration of redox-active iron in plasma in patients with increased transferrin saturation. This finding supports the hypothesis that tissue iron may be the ‘smoking gun' of iron-induced organ damage. Taken together, caring for patients with suspected or established hemochromatosis still remains a challenge, where understanding the genetics, biochemistry and cell biology of hemochromatosis will aid better diagnosis and treatment of affected individuals.
Development and Regression of Cirrhosis
Authors: Saffioti Francesca , Pinzani Massimo
Published: May 2016

Liver cirrhosis is the ultimate consequence of the wound healing reaction subsequent to a chronic injury, which leads to a complete derangement of the normal hepatic lobular and vascular architecture. Cirrhosis is characterized by patterns of evolution depending on the causative agent and a series of complex underlining mechanisms in which neo-angiogenesis and necro-inflammation play a key role. The importance of the different cell types involved and of the extracellular matrix composition as well as the role of innate immunity, bacterial translocation and oxidative stress are also emerging. A variable degree of regression of fibrosis and even cirrhosis has been described, in experimental models, after suspension of the liver disease causative agent. As some individual features influence the rate of fibrosis progression, genetic and epigenetic factors are likely to influence fibrosis regression. Key Messages: There is increasing awareness that cirrhosis is not a static condition but a dynamic process. Current semi-quantitative scores and clinical classifications are inaccurate and unable to identify the different phases of evolution of the advanced stages of chronic liver diseases (CLDs). The increasing availability of effective etiology-driven therapeutic options for CLDs makes reversion of cirrhosis a more possible prospective. However, the removal of the causing agent, depending on the stage of the disease, does not necessarily eliminate the risk of disease progression, decompensation and development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Also, the non-invasive markers currently validated for the assessment of fibrosis are not suitable for an effective evaluation of fibrosis regression. Conclusions: There is a critical need of a system that would be able to more accurately describe the dynamic development of cirrhosis and the impact of tissue fibrosis, neo-angiogenesis, necro-inflammation and attempted regeneration on its evolution. Effective treatment of CLD can lead to a variable degree of fibrosis regression. New markers able to evaluate this process will need to be detected and validated.
CD8+ T-Cell Responses in Hepatitis B and C: The (HLA-) A, B, and C of Hepatitis B and C
Authors: Nitschke Katja , Luxenburger Hendrik , Kiraithe Muthamia M. , Thimme Robert , Neumann-Haefelin Christoph
Published: May 2016

Approximately 500 million people are chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) worldwide and are thus at high risk of progressive liver disease, leading to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and ultimately hepatocellular cancer. Virus-specific CD8+ T-cells play a major role in viral clearance in >90% of adult patients who clear HBV and in approximately 30% of patients who clear HCV in acute infection. However, several mechanisms contribute to the failure of the adaptive CD8+ T-cell response in those patients who progress to chronic infection. These include viral mutations leading to escape from the CD8+ T-cell response as well as exhaustion and dysfunction of virus-specific CD8+ T-cells. Antiviral efficacy of the virus-specific CD8+ T-cell response also strongly depends on its restriction by specific human leukocyte antigens (HLA) class I alleles. Our review will summarize the role of HLA-A, B and C-restricted CD8+ T-cells in HBV and HCV infection. Due to the current lack of a comprehensive database of HBV- and HCV-specific CD8+ T-cell epitopes, we also provide a summary of the repertoire of currently well-described HBV- and HCV-specific CD8+ T-cell epitopes. A better understanding of the factors that contribute to the success or failure of virus-specific CD8+ T-cells may help to develop new therapeutic options for HBV eradication in patients with chronic HBV infection (therapeutic vaccination and/or immunomodulation) as well as a prophylactic vaccine against HCV infection.
Role of Immunity in Pathogenesis and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Schmidt Nathalie , Thimme Robert
Published: May 2016

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common malignancy worldwide with a high mortality. The available treatment options are limited, thus the development of new therapeutic approaches is of a high clinical significance. Key Messages: The immune system plays a central role in the pathogenesis of HCC by supporting tumor growth, tumor survival, angiogenesis and the development of vascular infiltration and metastasis. In contrast, the immune system also exhibits a protective role in tumor surveillance, and specific CD8+ T-cells can be detected for various tumor-associated antigens. However, antitumoral potential of the immune system is limited by various inhibitory mechanisms, for example, an impaired priming and activation of CD8+ T-cells, inhibitory cells (e.g., regulatory T-cells) or the expression of inhibitory receptors (e.g., programmed cell death-1 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4). Immunotherapeutic strategies addressing these inhibitory mechanisms, for example, by providing a source of tumor antigens, depleting immunosuppressive cells or blocking inhibitory receptors, aim to induce and boost naturally occurring antitumoral immune responses. Conclusion: HCC is a tumor with a high incidence and mortality in developing countries as well as in the Western world. Due to the immune system's central role in the pathogenesis and surveillance of HCC, immunotherapy is a new treatment option that has yielded first promising results.
Pediatric Neurosurgery Patients Need More than a Pediatric Neurosurgeon. Part II. A Clinical Report: In the USA Lack of Parent/Caregiver Compliance Interferes with the Patient Care Sequence
Authors: MacGregor Teresa L. , James Hector E. , Everett Laurel , Childers Jr. David O.
Published: May 2016

We have previously reported on the initiation, development, and preliminary results of a comprehensive multidisciplinary team for the long-term management of children with neurosurgical conditions other than spina bifida. This report addresses the follow-up of the care of these patients and identifies limitations in the care sequence including, but not limited to, lack of parental/caregiver compliance, unmet educational needs, and medical insurance issues.
Right Ventricular Function in Peripartum Cardiomyopathy at Presentation Is Associated With Subsequent Left Ventricular Recovery and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Blauwet Lori A. , Delgado-Montero Antonia , Ryo Keiko , Marek Josef J. , Alharethi Rami , Mather Paul J. , Modi Kalgi , Sheppard Richard , Thohan Vinay , Pisarcik Jessica , McNamara Dennis M. , Gorcsan John
Published: May 2016

Background—

Peripartum cardiomyopathy has variable disease progression and left ventricular (LV) recovery. We hypothesized that baseline right ventricular (RV) size and function are associated with LV recovery and outcome.

Methods and Results—

Investigations of Pregnancy-Associated Cardiomyopathy was a prospective 30-center study of 100 peripartum cardiomyopathy women with LV ejection fraction (LVEF) <45% within 13 weeks after delivery. Baseline RV function was assessed by echocardiographic end-diastolic area, end-systolic area, fractional area change, tricuspid annular plane excursion, and RV speckle-tracking longitudinal strain. LV recovery was defined as LVEF of ≥50% at 1 year, persistent severe LV dysfunction as LVEF of ≤35%, and major events as death, transplant, or LV assist device implantation. RV measurements were feasible for 90 of the 96 patients (94%) with echocardiograms available. Mean baseline LVEF was 36±9%. RV fractional area change was <35% in 38% of patients. Of 84 patients with 1-year follow-up data, 63 (75%) had LV recovery and 11 (13%) had LVEF of ≤35% or a major event (4 LV assist devices and 2 deaths). Tricuspid annular plane excursion and RV strain did not predict outcome. Baseline RV fractional area change by multivariable analysis was independently associated with subsequent LV recovery and clinical outcome.

Conclusions—

Peripartum cardiomyopathy patients had a high incidence of LV recovery, but a significant minority had persistent LV dysfunction or a major clinical event by 1 year. RV function per echocardiographic fractional area change at presentation was associated with subsequent LV recovery and clinical outcomes and thus is prognostically important.
Enhancing Working Memory Training with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Authors: Au Jacky , Katz Benjamin , Buschkuehl Martin , Bunarjo Kimberly , Senger Thea , Zabel Chelsea , Jaeggi Susanne M. , Jonides John
Published: May 2016

Working memory (WM) is a fundamental cognitive ability that supports complex thought but is limited in capacity. Thus, WM training interventions have become very popular as a means of potentially improving WM-related skills. Another promising intervention that has gained increasing traction in recent years is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a noninvasive form of brain stimulation that can modulate cortical excitability and temporarily increase brain plasticity. As such, it has the potential to boost learning and enhance performance on cognitive tasks. This study assessed the efficacy of tDCS to supplement WM training. Sixty-two participants were randomized to receive either right prefrontal, left prefrontal, or sham stimulation with concurrent visuospatial WM training over the course of seven training sessions. Results showed that tDCS enhanced training performance, which was strikingly preserved several months after training completion. Furthermore, we observed stronger effects when tDCS was spaced over a weekend break relative to consecutive daily training, and we also demonstrated selective transfer in the right prefrontal group to nontrained tasks of visual and spatial WM. These findings shed light on how tDCS may be leveraged as a tool to enhance performance on WM-intensive learning tasks.
Migration and Neoliberalism: Creating Spaces of Resistance
Authors: Behrman Simon
Published: May 2016

Anne McNevin’s book provides a valuable contribution to ongoing debates about the plight of irregular migrants in the context of neoliberal hegemony. It combines detailed analysis of contemporary movements that resist the ever-increasing controls over borders and movement, together with critical assessments of a range of contemporary theorists on the question. McNevin’s central argument is that neoliberalism not only delineates the migrant subject in various ways, but also traps activists into replicating many harmful assumptions about ‘deserving’ versus ‘undeserving’ migrants. She further argues for a resurrection of the political subjectivity of migrant communities, by both exploiting the crisis engendered at the nexus of neoliberal economics and the sovereign subject, and resisting the framework set by those paradigms.
Rosa Luxemburg’s Global Class Analysis
Authors: van der Linden Marcel
Published: May 2016

How did Rosa Luxemburg, in herThe Accumulation of Capitaland other writings, analyse the development of the working class and other subordinate classes under capitalism, and how did she view the relationship between these classes and those living in ‘natural economic societies’? Following primary sources closely, the present essay reconstructs and evaluates Luxemburg’s class analysis of global society. It is shown that Luxemburg pioneered a truly global concept of solidarity from below, including the most oppressed – women and colonised peoples.
Labor’s Conflict: Big Business, Workers and the Politics of Class by Tom Bramble and Rick Kuhn, A Review
Authors: Tietze Tad
Published: May 2016

The Australian Labor Party (alp) has, until recent years, exercised almost unchallenged hegemony over Australian Left and working-class politics. Tom Bramble and Rick Kuhn have ambitiously crafted the first Marxist history of the party in over 50 years, deploying an analysis of its material constitution as a ‘capitalist workers’ party’ to underpin arguments for a revolutionary socialist alternative. From its emergence in class struggles of the late nineteenth century, to its early electoral successes, to multiple internal crises and splits, and its more recent role in driving neoliberal restructuring, the party’s contradictory character is analysed with clarity. However, despite containing much suggestive material, key issues – including the party’s unparalleled success despite its betrayals, failures and crises; radical challenges from within and without the party; the nature of its appeal to reformist consciousness; the shape of Marxist and Left debates about thealp; and the party’s centrality to a wider sphere of politics in capitalist society – remain thinly theorised, thereby inadvertently weakening the authors’ case for a revolutionary alternative.
Revolutionary Politics in Twentieth-Century China
Authors: Hammond Kenneth J.
Published: May 2016

Maurice Meisner was an important scholar of twentieth-century Chinese history, whose work focused on the ideological and bureaucratic dimensions of the People’s Republic and its origins in the upheavals of the first half of the century. This review considers aFestschriftincluding contributions from eight former students of Meisner, with articles on a wide array of topics across the period from the 1920s to the early twenty-first century. Strengths and limitations of Meisner’s work and his legacy are presented in conjunction with reflections on the underlying issues of the nature of contemporary China and its role in the world, and some related recent scholarly debates on the Left.
Non-Conformist Conscience? Individual Conscience and the Authority of the Church from John Calvin to the Present
Authors: Bradbury John P.
Published: May 2016

This article traces the continuities and discontinuities in the idea of individual conscience and its relationship to ecclesial authority from the Reformation period to the present day. It does this with particular reference to the Reformed theological tradition, particularly the British non-conformist traditions that today form the United Reformed Church. Through an engagement with John Calvin, William Ames, confessional texts and later thinkers, key shifts in the understanding of conscience, from being informed by revelation within the context of the Church, to the more contemporary individual subjective model are explored. An account of the place of conscience within the union negotiations that brought the URC into existence is offered based on archival material. It is argued that the shift of understandings of freedom of conscience to the secular political realm, opens up a specifically ecclesiological space in which the relationship between individual conscience and ecclesial authority has been, and can be, reconceived.
Enhancing Sensitivity of a Miniature Spectrometer Using a Real-Time Image Processing Algorithm
Authors: Chandramohan Sabarish , Avrutsky Ivan
Published: May 2016

A real-time image processing algorithm is developed to enhance the sensitivity of a planar single-mode waveguide miniature spectrometer with integrated waveguide gratings. A novel approach of averaging along the arcs in a curved coordinate system is introduced which allows for collecting more light, thereby enhancing the sensitivity. The algorithm is tested using CdSeS/ZnS quantum dots drop casted on the surface of a single-mode waveguide. Measurements indicate that a monolayer of quantum dots is expected to produce guided mode attenuation approximately 11 times above the noise level.
Development of a highly specific enzyme immunoassay for oxytocin and its use in plasma samples
Authors: Haraya Shiomi , Karasawa Koji , Sano Yoshihiro , Ozawa Kimiko , Kato Nobumasa , Arakawa Hidetoshi
Published: May 2016

Background

The peptide hormone oxytocin acts in the central nervous system and plays an important role in various complex social behaviours. We report the production of a high affinity and specificity antibody for oxytocin and its use in a highly sensitive enzyme immunoassay. Biotin that was chemically bound to oxytocin derivative containing zero to six lysines as bridge was the labelled antigen. Seven labelled antigens were used to develop a highly sensitive enzyme immunoassay.

Methods

Antioxytocin antiserum was obtained by immunization of oxytocin-bovine thyrogloblin conjugate to rabbit. Oxytocin sample was added to the second antibody-coated microtitre plate and allowed to react overnight at 4℃, then biotinylated oxytocin was added 1 h at 4℃, and horseradish peroxidase-labelled avidin was added and incubated for 1 h at room temperature. The plate was then washed. Horseradish peroxidase activity was measured by a colorimetric method using o-phenylenediamine (490 nm).

Results

The sensitivity of the enzyme immunoassay improved as the number of lysine residues increased; consequently, biotinylated oxytocin bridged with five lysines was used. A standard curve for oxytocin ranged from 1.0 to 1000 pg/assay. The detection limit of the assay was 2.36 pg, and the reproducibility was 3.6% as CV% ( n = 6). Cross-reactivity with vasopressin and vasotocin was less than 0.01%.

Conclusion

The sensitivity of the enzyme immunoassay could be improved by increasing the number of lysine residues on the biotin-labelled antigen. The proposed method is sensitive and more specific than conventional immunoassays for oxytocin and can be used to determine plasma oxytocin concentrations.
National turnaround time survey: professional consensus standards for optimal performance and thresholds considered to compromise efficient and effective clinical management
Authors: McKillop Derek J , Auld Peter
Published: May 2016

Background

Turnaround time can be defined as the time from receipt of a sample by the laboratory to the validation of the result. The Royal College of Pathologists recommends that a number of performance indicators for turnaround time should be agreed with stakeholders. The difficulty is in arriving at a goal which has some evidence base to support it other than what may simply be currently achievable technically. This survey sought to establish a professional consensus on the goals and meaning of targets for laboratory turnaround time.

Methods

A questionnaire was circulated by the National Audit Committee to 173 lead consultants for biochemistry in the UK. The survey asked each participant to state their current target turnaround time for core investigations in a broad group of clinical settings. Each participant was also asked to provide a professional opinion on what turnaround time would pose an unacceptable risk to patient safety for each departmental category. A super majority (2/3) was selected as the threshold for consensus.

Results

The overall response rate was 58% ( n = 100) with a range of 49–72% across the individual Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine regions. The consensus optimal turnaround time for the emergency department was <1 h with >2 h considered unacceptable. The times for general practice and outpatient department were <24 h and >48 h and for Wards <4 h and >12 h, respectively.

Conclusions

We consider that the figures provide a useful benchmark of current opinion, but clearly more empirical standards will have to develop alongside other aspects of healthcare delivery.
Who Supports the Sunflower Movement? An Examination of Nationalist Sentiments
Authors: Chen Fang-Yu , Yen Wei-Ting
Published: May 2016

The Sunflower Movement—an occupation of the Legislative Yuan (the Congress) for 24 days—was an unprecedented moment in the history of Taiwan. We examine the social foundation of the Movement and explore an important factor that has long been missing in the literature of Taiwanese politics: nationalism. We divide nationalism into three dimensions: national attachment, national chauvinism, and feelings toward other countries. Using original survey data collected six months after the Movement, we find that national attachment (being proud of Taiwan) and anti-China feelings are unique dimensions and both lead to a higher level of support for the Sunflower Movement. National chauvinism, on the other hand, is not associated with supports for the Movement. Furthermore, the impact of nationalism is contingent on sociotropic views. People who express higher levels of nationalism are more responsive to the issue of rising income inequality when evaluating the Movement. The underlying logic is when people are more nationalistic they care more about the potential social impact of expanding socio-economic exchanges with another country. These results point to it being necessary to disentangle various components of nationalism and further investigate their effects on individuals’ political behaviors.
Explaining Recidivism of Ex-combatants in Colombia
Authors: Kaplan Oliver , Nussio Enzo
Published: May 2016

What determines the recidivism of ex-combatants from armed conflicts? In postconflict settings around the world, there has been growing interest in reintegration programs to prevent ex-combatants from returning to illegal activities or to armed groups, yet little is known about who decides to “go bad.” We evaluate explanations for recidivism related to combatant experiences and common criminal motives by combining data from a representative survey of ex-combatants of various armed groups in Colombia with police records of observed behaviors that indicate which among the respondents returned to belligerent or illegal activities. Consistent with a theory of recidivism being shaped by driving and restraining factors, the results suggest that factors such as antisocial personality traits, weak family ties, lack of educational attainment, and the presence of criminal groups are most highly correlated with various kinds of recidivism and hold implications for programs and policies to successfully reintegrate ex-combatants into society.
Who actually decides? Parental influence on the housing tenure choice of their children
Authors: Lux Martin , Samec Tomáš , Bartos Vojtech , Sunega Petr , Palguta Jan , Boumová Irena , Kážmér Ladislav
Published: May 2016

We focus on the role of within-family socialisation and the relationship between socialisation and resource transfers in the intergenerational transmission of housing preferences, the formation of familial housing attitudes and thus the reproduction of a normative housing tenure ladder across generations in Czech society. We show that resource transfers and the within-family socialisation of housing preferences, including preferences concerning housing tenure, are closely interconnected. In other words, parental influence on decision to buy own housing (and on housing preferences in general) of their adult children through socialisation is stronger if there is an (actual or assumed) intergenerational resource transfer. This has several implications for how housing markets and systems work. The paper draws on findings from qualitative, quantitative and experimental studies.
Disturbance observer based iterative learning control method for a class of systems subject to mismatched disturbances
Authors: Sun Jiankun , Li Shihua
Published: May 2016

This paper develops a systematic iterative learning control (ILC) strategy for systems with mismatched disturbances. The systems with mismatched disturbances are more general and widely exist in practical engineering, where the standard disturbance observer based ILC method is no longer available. To this end, this note proposes a novel ILC scheme based on the disturbance observer, which consists of two parts: a baseline ILC term for stabilizing the nominal system and a disturbance compensation term for attenuating mismatched disturbances by choosing an appropriate compensation gain. It is proven that the performance of the closed-loop system is effectively improved. Finally, the simulation analysis for a permanent-magnet synchronous motor servo system demonstrates the feasibility and efficacy of the proposed method.