bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anhedonia: Gender and the Decline of Emotions in American Film, 1930–
Authors: Lyman Stanford M.
Published: February 2018

An interpretive study of Hollywood films from 1930 to 1988 suggests a hypothesis about gender relations. Employing the mythopoetic conception of male‐female relationships that is found in the legends of Ariadne and Theseus, the study proposes a diachronic unfolding of the dialectic of love and freedom. In the process, a disenchantment sets in revealing anhedonia, the inability to experience pleasure. This dysdaemonic picture provides an illustration and commentary on American norms of achievement, marital fidelity, conjugal relations, and child rearing. The rise and fall of the Ariadneac mystique offers one way to read Hollywood films in terms of the sociology of the emotions. Future research is suggested to test the hypothesis and to explore the relationship between its thematic and socio‐cultural life in America.
Male Dominance and Female Criminality: A Test of Harris's Theory of Deviant Type‐Scripts
Authors: Best Joel , Luckenbill David F.
Published: February 2018

Harris's theory of deviant type‐scripts predicts higher female participation in deviance when male dominance is low. This paper offers two tests of the theory. Arrest statistics show the proportion of homicides committed by females is higher in states with high male dominance, while imprisonment statistics reveal no relationship between male dominance and the sex ratio of inmates. The discussion suggests that there may be multiple type‐scripts for different forms of deviance.
Posaconazole MIC Distributions for Aspergillus fumigatus Species Complex by Four Methods: Impact of
cyp51A
Mutations on Estimation of Epidemiological Cutoff Values
Authors: Espinel-Ingroff A. , Turnidge J. , Alastruey-Izquierdo A. , Dannaoui E. , Garcia-Effron G. , Guinea J. , Kidd S. , Pelaez T. , Sanguinetti M. , Meletiadis J. , Botterel F. , Bustamante B. , Chen Y.-C. , Chakrabarti A. , Chowdhary A. , Chryssanthou E. , Córdoba S. , Gonzalez G. M. , Guarro J. , Johnson E. M. , Kus J. V. , Lass-Flörl C. , Linares-Sicilia M. J. , Martín-Mazuelos E. , Negri C. E. , Pfaller M. A. , Tortorano A. M.
Published: February 2018

Estimating epidemiological cutoff endpoints (ECVs/ECOFFS) may be hindered by the overlap of MICs for mutant and nonmutant strains (strains harboring or not harboring mutations, respectively). Posaconazole MIC distributions for the
Aspergillus fumigatus
species complex were collected from 26 laboratories (in Australia, Canada, Europe, India, South and North America, and Taiwan) and published studies. Distributions that fulfilled CLSI criteria were pooled and ECVs were estimated. The sensitivity of three ECV analytical techniques (the ECOFFinder, normalized resistance interpretation [NRI], derivatization methods) to the inclusion of MICs for mutants was examined for three susceptibility testing methods (the CLSI, EUCAST, and Etest methods). The totals of posaconazole MICs for nonmutant isolates (isolates with no known
cyp51A
mutations) and mutant
A. fumigatus
isolates were as follows: by the CLSI method, 2,223 and 274, respectively; by the EUCAST method, 556 and 52, respectively; and by Etest, 1,365 and 29, respectively. MICs for 381 isolates with unknown mutational status were also evaluated with the Sensititre YeastOne system (SYO). We observed an overlap in posaconazole MICs among nonmutants and
cyp51A
mutants. At the commonly chosen percentage of the modeled wild-type population (97.5%), almost all ECVs remained the same when the MICs for nonmutant and mutant distributions were merged: ECOFFinder ECVs, 0.5 μg/ml for the CLSI method and 0.25 μg/ml for the EUCAST method and Etest; NRI ECVs, 0.5 μg/ml for all three methods. However, the ECOFFinder ECV for 95% of the nonmutant population by the CLSI method was 0.25 μg/ml. The tentative ECOFFinder ECV with SYO was 0.06 μg/ml (data from 3/8 laboratories). Derivatization ECVs with or without mutant inclusion were either 0.25 μg/ml (CLSI, EUCAST, Etest) or 0.06 μg/ml (SYO). It appears that ECV analytical techniques may not be vulnerable to overlap between presumptive wild-type isolates and
cyp51A
mutants when up to 11.6% of the estimated wild-type population includes mutants.
Prevalence of Infection-Competent Serogroup 6
Legionella pneumophila
within Premise Plumbing in Southeast Michigan
Authors: Byrne Brenda G. , McColm Sarah , McElmurry Shawn P. , Kilgore Paul E. , Sobeck Joanne , Sadler Rick , Love Nancy G. , Swanson Michele S.
Published: February 2018

Coinciding with major changes to its municipal water system, Flint, MI, endured Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks in 2014 and 2015. By sampling premise plumbing in Flint in the fall of 2016, we found that 12% of homes harbored legionellae, a frequency similar to that in residences in neighboring areas. To evaluate the genetic diversity of
Legionella pneumophila
in Southeast Michigan, we determined the sequence type (ST) and serogroup (SG) of the 18 residential isolates from Flint and Detroit, MI, and the 33 clinical isolates submitted by hospitals in three area counties in 2013 to 2016. Common to one environmental and four clinical samples were strains of
L. pneumophila
SG1 and ST1, the most prevalent ST worldwide. Among the Flint premise plumbing isolates, 14 of 16 strains were of ST367 and ST461, two closely related SG6 strain types isolated previously from patients and corresponding environmental samples. Each of the representative SG1 clinical strains and SG6 environmental isolates from Southeast Michigan infected and survived within macrophage cultures at least as well as a virulent laboratory strain, as judged by microscopy and by enumerating CFU. Likewise, 72 h after infection, the yield of viable-cell counts increased >100-fold for each of the representative SG1 clinical isolates, Flint premise plumbing SG6 ST367 and -461 isolates, and two Detroit residential isolates. We verified by immunostaining that SG1-specific antibody does not cross-react with the SG6
L. pneumophila
environmental strains. Because the widely used urinary antigen diagnostic test does not readily detect non-SG1
L. pneumophila
, Legionnaires’ disease caused by SG6
L. pneumophila
is likely underreported worldwide.

IMPORTANCE
L. pneumophila
is the leading cause of disease outbreaks associated with drinking water in the United States. Compared to what is known of the established risks of colonization within hospitals and hotels, relatively little is known about residential exposure to
L. pneumophila
. One year after two outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease in Genesee County, MI, that coincided with damage to the Flint municipal water system, our multidisciplinary team launched an environmental surveillance and laboratory research campaign aimed at informing risk management strategies to provide safe public water supplies. The most prevalent
L. pneumophila
strains isolated from residential plumbing were closely related strains of SG6. In laboratory tests of virulence, the SG6 environmental isolates resembled SG1 clinical strains, yet they are not readily detected by the common diagnostic urinary antigen test, which is specific for SG1. Therefore, our study complements the existing epidemiological literature indicating that Legionnaires’ disease due to non-SG1 strains is underreported around the globe.
Presence of archaea and selected bacteria in infected root canal systems
Authors: Brzezińska-Błaszczyk Ewa , Pawłowska Elżbieta , Płoszaj Tomasz , Witas Henryk , Godzik Urszula , Agier Justyna
Published: February 2018

Infections of the root canal have polymicrobial etiology. The main group of microflora in the infected pulp is bacteria. There is limited data that archaea may be present in infected pulp tissue. The aim of this study was to check the prevalence of archaea in necrotic root canal samples obtained from patients with primary or post-treatment infection. The prevalence of selected bacteria species (Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, Synergistes sp.) in necrotic samples was evaluated as well. Sixty-four samples from root canal were collected for DNA and RNA extraction. A PCR assay based on the 16S rRNA gene was used to determine the presence of archaea and selected bacteria. Of the 64 samples, 6 were analyzed by semiquantitative reverse transcription PCR to estimate expression profiles of 16S rRNA, and another 9 were selected for direct sequencing. Archaea were detected in 48.4% samples. Statistical analysis indicated a negative association in coexistence between archaea and Treponema denticola (P < 0.05; Pearson’s χ2 test). The main representative of the Archaea domain found in infected pulp tissue was Methanobrevibacter oralis. Archaea 16S rRNA gene expression was significantly lower than Synergistes sp., Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Tannerella forsythia (P < 0.05; Student’s t test). Thus, it can be hypothesized that archaea may participate in the endodontic microbial community.
A Refinement of Logit Quantal Response Equilibrium
Authors: Blavatskyy Pavlo
Published: February 2018

Unlike the Nash equilibrium, logit quantal response equilibrium is affected by positive affine transformations of players’ von Neumann–Morgenstern utility payoffs. This paper presents a modification of a logit quantal response equilibrium that makes this equilibrium solution concept invariant to arbitrary normalization of utility payoffs. Our proposed modification can be viewed as a refinement of logit quantal response equilibria: instead of obtaining a continuum of equilibria (for different positive affine transformations of utility function) we now obtain only one equilibrium for all possible positive affine transformations of utility function. We define our refinement for simultaneous-move noncooperative games in the normal form.
Family of quotients of some special rings
Authors: Salimi Maryam
Published: February 2018

Let [Formula: see text] be a commutative Noetherian ring and let [Formula: see text] be a proper ideal of [Formula: see text]. We study some properties of a family of rings [Formula: see text] that are obtained as quotients of the Rees algebra associated with the ring [Formula: see text] and the ideal [Formula: see text]. We deal with the strongly cotorsion property of local cohomology modules of [Formula: see text], when [Formula: see text] is a local ring. Also, we investigate generically Cohen–Macaulay, generically Gorenstein, and generically quasi-Gorenstein properties of [Formula: see text]. Finally, we show that [Formula: see text] is approximately Cohen–Macaulay if and only if [Formula: see text] is approximately Cohen–Macaulay, provided some special conditions.
Construction of wavelets and framelets on a bounded interval
Authors: Han Bin , Michelle Michelle
Published: February 2018

Many problems in applications are defined on a bounded interval. Therefore, wavelets and framelets on a bounded interval are of importance in both theory and application. There is a great deal of effort in the literature on constructing various wavelets on a bounded interval and exploring their applications in areas such as numerical mathematics and signal processing. However, many papers on this topic mainly deal with individual examples which often have many boundary wavelets with complicated structures. In this paper, we shall propose a method for constructing wavelets and framelets in [Formula: see text] from symmetric wavelets and framelets on the real line. The constructed wavelets and framelets in [Formula: see text] often have a few simple boundary wavelets/framelets with the additional flexibility to satisfy various desired boundary conditions. To illustrate our construction method, from several spline refinable vector functions, we present several examples of (bi)orthogonal wavelets and spline tight framelets in [Formula: see text] with very simple boundary wavelets/framelets.
Data-Based Fault Diagnosis Model Using a Bayesian Causal Analysis Framework
Authors: Diallo Thierno M. L. , Henry Sébastien , Ouzrout Yacine , Bouras Abdelaziz
Published: February 2018

This paper provides a comprehensive data-driven diagnosis approach applicable to complex manufacturing industries. The proposed approach is based on the Bayesian network paradigm. Both the implementation of the Bayesian model (the structure and parameters of the network) and the use of the resulting model for diagnosis are presented. The construction of the structure taking into account the issue related to the explosion in the number of variables and the determination of the network’s parameters are addressed. A diagnosis procedure using the developed Bayesian framework is proposed. In order to provide the structured data required for the construction and the usage of the diagnosis model, a unitary traceability data model is proposed and its use for forward and backward traceability is explained. Finally, an industrial benchmark — the Tennessee Eastman process — is utilized to show the ability of the developed framework to make an accurate diagnosis.
Synthesis and properties of a trinuclear copper(II) complex of a ligand with phthalocyanine and Schiff-base coordination sites
Authors: Handa Makoto , Kanagawa Kenichi , Yano Natsumi , Yairi Haruki , Okuno Airi , Mitsumi Minoru , Kataoka Yusuke
Published: February 2018

A trinuclear copper(II) phthalocyanine complex was synthesized by chelate coordination of the peripherally introduced Schiff-base nitrogen and phenoxide oxygen on the Cu(pc) core to a copper(II) ion. The magnetic, spectral and electrochemical properties were compared with those of the precursor mononuclear Cu(pc) complex with the NO chelate coordination site and a mononuclear Schiff-base copper(II) complex corresponding to the central bis-chelated unit of the title trinuclear complex. A stronger aggregating nature of the trinuclear complex compared with the precursor mononuclear Cu(pc) complex was confirmed by the spectral change of the Q band feature coming from the coordination to the copper(II) ion in dichloromethane. Two successive pc-ring reduction waves were not observed for the trinuclear complex in dichloromethane containing TBP(PF[Formula: see text], alternatively showing an irreversible wave in the reduction side. The central bis-chelated copper(II) ion was considered to play an important role for the redox behavior of the trinuclear complex.
One-Pot Synthesis of α-Fe2O3 Nanospindles as High-Performance Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes
Authors: Ding Yanhua , Liu Bing , Cai Rongsheng , Xin Tuo , Li Chen , Xia Linhua , Wang Yiqian
Published: February 2018

Hematite nanospindles with a uniform size of [Formula: see text]270[Formula: see text]nm in length and [Formula: see text]90[Formula: see text]nm in width are prepared using a facile one-step hydrothermal method. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) serves as a structure-directing agent to control the primary morphology and aggregations. When evaluated as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the electrode of sodium alginate (SA) binder exhibits a much better electrochemical performance than that with the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) binder. Remarkably, the electrode using SA binder can deliver a high reversible specific capacity of 979[Formula: see text]mAh[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text] after 50 cycles and prominent rate capability. The microstructural evolution of the nanospindles after the electrochemical cycling is investigated by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Our results may provide important mechanistic insights for the design of nanostructured anode materials for LIBs.
Advances in Understanding the Molecular Basis of the Mediterranean Diet Effect
Authors: Corella Dolores , Coltell Oscar , Macian Fernando , Ordovás José M.
Published: February 2018

Increasingly, studies showing the protective effects of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) on different diseases (cardiovascular, diabetes, some cancers, and even total mortality and aging indicators) are being published. The scientific evidence level for each outcome is variable, and new studies are needed to better understand the molecular mechanisms whereby the MedDiet may exercise its effects. Here, we present recent advances in understanding the molecular basis of MedDiet effects, mainly focusing on cardiovascular diseases but also discussing other related diseases. There is heterogeneity in defining the MedDiet, and it can, owing to its complexity, be considered as an exposome with thousands of nutrients and phytochemicals. We review MedDiet composition and assessment as well as the latest advances in the genomic, epigenomic (DNA methylation, histone modifications, microRNAs, and other emerging regulators), transcriptomic (selected genes and whole transcriptome), and metabolomic and metagenomic aspects of the MedDiet effects (as a whole and for its most typical food components). We also present a critical review of the limitations of the studies undertaken and propose new analyses and greater bioinformatic integration to better understand the most important molecular mechanisms whereby the MedDiet as a whole, or its main food components, may exercise their protective effects.
Feasibility of Using an Electrolysis Cell for Quantification of the Electrolytic Products of Water from Gravimetric Measurement
Authors: Melaku Samuel , Gebeyehu Zewdu , Dabke Rajeev B.
Published: February 2018

A gravimetric method for the quantitative assessment of the products of electrolysis of water is presented. In this approach, the electrolysis cell was directly powered by 9 V batteries. Prior to electrolysis, a known amount of potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP) was added to the cathode compartment, and an excess amount of KHCO3 was added to the anode compartment electrolyte. During electrolysis, cathode and anode compartments produced OH−(aq) and H+(aq) ions, respectively. Electrolytically produced OH−(aq) neutralized the KHP, and the completion of this neutralization was detected by a visual indicator color change. Electrolytically produced H+(aq) reacted with HCO3−(aq) liberating CO2(g) from the anode compartment. Concurrent liberation of H2(g) and O2(g) at the cathode and anode, respectively, resulted in a decrease in the mass of the cell. Mass of the electrolysis cell was monitored. Liberation of CO2(g) resulted in a pronounced effect of a decrease in mass. Experimentally determined decrease in mass (53.7 g/Faraday) agreed with that predicted from Faraday’s laws of electrolysis (53.0 g/Faraday). The efficacy of the cell was tested to quantify the acid content in household vinegar samples. Accurate results were obtained for vinegar analysis with a precision better than 5% in most cases. The cell offers the advantages of coulometric method and additionally simplifies the circuitry by eliminating the use of a constant current power source or a coulometer.
Centralized Resource Allocation and Target Setting Based on Data Envelopment Analysis Model
Authors: Yang Tiantan , Wang Pingchun , Li Feng
Published: February 2018

This paper aims to develop a data envelopment analysis (DEA) based model for allocating input resources and deciding output targets in organizations with a centralized decision-making environment, for example, banks, police stations, and supermarket chains. The central decision-maker has an interest in maximizing the total output production and at the same time minimizing the total input consumption. Traditionally, all decision-making units (DMUs) can be easily projected to the efficient frontier, which is a mathematical feasibility; however, it does not guarantee the managerial feasibility during the planning period. In this paper, we will take potential limitations of input-output changes into account by building a difficulty coefficient matrix of modifying their production in the current production possibility set so that the solution guarantees managerial feasibilities. Three objectives, namely, maximizing aggregated outputs, minimizing the consumption of input resources, and minimizing the total difficulty coefficient, are proposed and incorporated into the formation of resource allocation and target setting scheme. Building on this, we combine DEA and multiobjective programming to solve the resource allocation and target setting problem. In the end, we apply our proposed approach to a real-world problem of sixteen chain hotels to illustrate the efficacy and usefulness of the proposed approach.
Solitary Osteochondroma of the Ventral Scapula Associated with Large Bursa Formation and Pseudowinging of the Scapula: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Ogawa Kiyohisa , Inokuchi Wataru
Published: February 2018

Osteochondroma (OC) is the most common benign bone tumor and may occur on any bone in which endochondral ossification develops. Although scapular OC accounts for less than 5% of the cases of solitary OC, OC is the most common lesion among the tumors and tumor-like lesions of the scapula. OC that develops near the medial scapular border easily causes friction with the ribcage; hence, almost half the number of cases of OC associated with marked bursa formation develops in the ventral scapula. We report a case of a 27-year-old female with a painful OC of the ventral scapular surface associated with large bursa formation and pseudowinging of the scapula. After l2 years of follow-up with magnetic resonance imaging, we confirm that the accompanied bursa left at surgery disappears.
The Comparative Experimental Study of Multilabel Classification for Diagnosis Assistant Based on Chinese Obstetric EMRs
Authors: Zhang Kunli , Ma Hongchao , Zhao Yueshu , Zan Hongying , Zhuang Lei
Published: February 2018

Obstetric electronic medical records (EMRs) contain massive amounts of medical data and health information. The information extraction and diagnosis assistants of obstetric EMRs are of great significance in improving the fertility level of the population. The admitting diagnosis in the first course record of the EMR is reasoned from various sources, such as chief complaints, auxiliary examinations, and physical examinations. This paper treats the diagnosis assistant as a multilabel classification task based on the analyses of obstetric EMRs. The latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) topic and the word vector are used as features and the four multilabel classification methods, BP-MLL (backpropagation multilabel learning), RAkEL (RAndom k labELsets), MLkNN (multilabel k-nearest neighbor), and CC (chain classifier), are utilized to build the diagnosis assistant models. Experimental results conducted on real cases show that the BP-MLL achieves the best performance with an average precision up to 0.7413 ± 0.0100 when the number of label sets and the word dimensions are 71 and 100, respectively. The result of the diagnosis assistant can be introduced as a supplementary learning method for medical students. Additionally, the method can be used not only for obstetric EMRs but also for other medical records.
Effect of Glazing on Flexural Strength of Full-Contour Zirconia
Authors: Kumchai Hattanas , Juntavee Patrapan , Sun Arthur F. , Nathanson Dan
Published: February 2018

Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of glazing on flexural strength of highly translucent zirconia materials. Materials and Methods. Specimens of three brands of zirconia bars (Prettau Zirconia, Zirkonzahn; inCoris TZI, Sirona; and Zirlux FC, Pentron Ceramics) were prepared and polished according to manufacturers’ instructions. Final specimen dimensions were 20 × 4 × 2 mm. The specimens from each brand were divided into 3 groups (N = 10): control, heat-treated, and glazed. Heat-treated specimens were fired without the application of the glaze material. The glaze material was applied to the glazed specimens before being fired. A three-point bending test (15 mm span) was performed in an Instron universal testing machine (ISO 6872). Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD post hoc test (α = 0.05). Results. Two-way ANOVA showed a significant influence of surface treatments on flexural strength of zirconia materials (P≤0.05). There was no significant difference in flexural strength among the different brands of highly translucent zirconia (P≥0.05). Tukey’s HSD post hoc test showed that specimens in the “glazed” group had significantly lower flexural strength than the control and heat-treated groups (P≤0.05). Conclusion. Within the limitations of the study, external glazing decreased the flexural strength of highly translucent zirconia.
Neuronal PirB Upregulated in Cerebral Ischemia Acts as an Attractive Theranostic Target for Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Wang Jie , Zhang Ying , Xia Jing , Cai Tingting , Du Jiawei , Chen Jinpeng , Li Ping , Shen Yuqing , Zhang Aifeng , Fu Bo , Gao Xueren , Miao Fenqin , Zhang Jianqiong , Teng Gaojun
Published: February 2018

Background

Ischemic stroke is a complex disease with multiple etiologies and clinical manifestations. Paired immunoglobulin‐like receptor B (PirB), which is originally thought to function exclusively in the immune system, is now also known to be expressed by neurons. A growing number of studies indicate that PirB can inhibit neurite outgrowth and restrict neuronal plasticity. The aim of the study is to investigate whether PirB can be an attractive theranostic target for ischemic stroke.

Methods and Results

First, we investigated the spatial‐temporal expression of PirB in multiple ischemic stroke models, including transient middle cerebral artery occlusion, photothrombotic cerebral cortex ischemia, and the neuronal oxygen glucose deprivation model. Then, anti‐PirB immunoliposome nanoprobe was developed by thin‐film hydration method and investigated its specific targeting in vitro and in vivo. Finally, soluble PirB ectodomain (
sP
irB) protein delivered by polyethylene glycol–modified nanoliposome was used as a therapeutic reagent for ischemic stroke by blocking PirB binding to its endogenous ligands. These results showed that PirB was significantly upregulated after cerebral ischemic injury in ischemic stroke models. Anti‐PirB immunoliposome nanoprobe was successfully developed and specifically bound to PirB in vitro. There was accumulation of anti‐PirB immunoliposome nanoprobe in the ischemic hemisphere in vivo. Soluble PirB ectodomains remarkably improved ischemic stroke model recovery by liposomal delivery system.

Conclusions

These data indicated that PirB was a significant element in the pathological process of cerebral ischemia. Therefore, PirB may act as a novel theranostic target for ischemic stroke.
Association of Hemoglobin Concentration and Its Change With Cardiovascular and All‐Cause Mortality
Authors: Lee Gyeongsil , Choi Seulggie , Kim Kyuwoong , Yun Jae‐Moon , Son Joung Sik , Jeong Su‐Min , Kim Sung Min , Park Sang Min
Published: February 2018

Background

Anemia is thought to increase mortality risks, but the effects of high hemoglobin concentration on survival are unclear. The effect of change in hemoglobin concentrations on survival in the general population is also unknown. This study aimed to examine the effect of hemoglobin concentrations and their changes on cardiovascular and all‐cause mortality risks.

Methods and Results

We retrospectively analyzed a cohort from the NHIS‐HEALS (National Health Insurance Service–National Health Screening Cohort) database, including 170 078 men and 122 116 women without cardiovascular diseases, aged >40 years at baseline, with hemoglobin concentrations available for both first and second health examinations. We assessed 2 independent variables: “One‐time” hemoglobin concentrations and changes in hemoglobin from first to second examination. Participants were followed up for a median of 8 years to determine mortality related to myocardial infarction, stroke, all cardiovascular diseases, and all causes. Hemoglobin concentrations showed a U‐ or J‐shaped association with cardiovascular and all‐cause mortality after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors. When anemic men achieved normal hemoglobin concentrations, the all‐cause mortality risk decreased, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.67 (95% confidence interval, 0.59–0.77), in comparison with those whose anemia persisted. Both increases and decreases of hemoglobin concentration outside the normal range elevated all‐cause mortality risk (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.39 [95% confidence interval, 1.28–1.49] and 1.10 [95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.20], respectively), compared with persistent normal hemoglobin concentrations. The trend was similar in women but was less significant.

Conclusions

Low or high hemoglobin concentrations were associated with elevated cardiovascular and all‐cause mortality. Reaching and maintaining hemoglobin concentrations within the normal range correlated with decreased all‐cause mortality.
Litigating the Impacts of Climate Change: The Challenge of Legal Polycentricity
Authors: Ugochukwu Basil
Published: February 2018

This article uses Lon Fuller’s theory of polycentric cases to highlight the major challenges of litigating the consequences of climate change and the problems this poses for judges. It argues that a typical climate change case is a polycentric case par excellence and uses for illustration case studies where policy makers are sued before domestic courts to compel improved or more ambitious reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The cases that are applied for comparative analysis include the Friends of the Earth Case in Canada, the Urgenda Case in Holland, the Leghari Case in Pakistan, and the Greenpeace Petition in the Philippines. It concludes that with its implications for regulatory policy, meta-territoriality and range of persons/institutions that may be impacted by one adjudication, climate litigation usually poses the same kinds of legal questions regardless of the legal context.
Two new Oedanomerus species from Zimbabwe (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae: Tanyproctini)
Authors: SEHNAL RICHARD
Published: February 2018

Oedanomerus Waterhouse, 1875 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae: Tanyproctini) was established for a single species Oedanomerus hirsutus Waterhouse, 1875 from Botswana. Arrow (1936) later described O. longicornis from Zambia and Frey (1960) described O. pilosus from Mozambique. Evans (1987) revised the genus and described O. capriviensis and O. bicolor from Namibia. Finally, Lacroix (2005) described O. snizeki from Zimbabwe, O. squamosus from Botswana, and O. uhligi from Namibia.
Perioperative Intravenous Acetaminophen in Pediatric Tonsillectomies
Authors: Bowman Brandi , Sanchez Leslie , Sarangarm Preeyaporn
Published: February 2018

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of perioperative intravenous (IV) acetaminophen on opioid requirements in pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy at a single center. Methods: This retrospective chart review included patients who were less than 18 years old and underwent an outpatient tonsillectomy procedure. Patients who received non–Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved dosing of IV acetaminophen, without documented weights, and on chronic pain medications at the time of the procedure were excluded. The primary outcome was opioid requirements postoperatively prior to discharge measured as morphine equivalents per kilogram. Descriptive statistics were used to compare differences between groups. A multivariate analysis was performed, accounting for differences between groups in baseline and procedural characteristics. Results: In total, 157 patients were included in this study, of whom 55 had received IV acetaminophen and 102 had not. The average IV acetaminophen dose for was 14.5 mg/kg for patients weighing less than 50 kg (n = 22); the remaining patients received the maximum 1 g dose. Patients who received IV acetaminophen were less likely to be administered postoperative opiates as compared with those did not (45.5% vs 63.7%, odds ratio = 0.48, P = .036). There was a trend toward a decrease in total amount of opiates administered with IV acetaminophen (0 vs 0.033 µg/kg, P = .61). After adjusting for age and documented pain assessment, IV acetaminophen administration remained a significant factor for postoperative opiate administration. Conclusions: Perioperative administration of IV acetaminophen was associated with less frequent administration of symptom-directed opiates in pediatric tonsillectomies. This finding indicates that the agent may have an opioid-sparing effect in this patient population.
PACARD: A New Interface to Increase Mobile Learning App Engagement, Distributed Through App Stores
Authors: Pham Xuan Lam , Chen Gwo Dong
Published: February 2018

This study proposed to enhance mobile learning engagement with PACARD (Personalized Adaptive CARD-based interface) that combines several technologies including card-based interface, personalized adaptation, push notifications, and badges. To evaluate our proposal, we distributed a mobile learning application (app) called English Practice on the Google Play store, and 63,824 online users were recruited to join the experiment. Six metrics of app engagement (app retention, session length, session count, total time consumption, average duration per day, and uninstall rate) were logged and analyzed. Results are presented in three parts. First, PACARD increased the number of user sessions, duration of use, and retention of app. Second, investigating PACARD also provided detailed reports about users, including their habits and behaviors, thus providing greater understanding of PACARD use. Third, PACARD improved learning achievement. Because of the large number of participants, this study's findings are reliable and widely applicable. PACARD is easy to implement and tailor to most mobile devices and mobile learning apps on the market. Indeed, it benefits educators and mobile app developers as well as learners themselves.
Noteworthy Literature published in 2017 for Perioperative Echocardiography
Authors: Goeddel Lee Andrew , Kostibas Megan , Metkus Thomas , Brady Mary Beth
Published: February 2018

In this inaugural review, we present noteworthy advances in perioperative echocardiography relevant to the cardiac anesthesiologist. These studies come from different clinical realms including advances in mitral valve imaging, perioperative echocardiographic evaluation, and critical care echocardiography. The importance of perioperative echocardiography continues to grow with cardiac anesthesiologists positioned in a critical role throughout the perioperative care continuum.
Designing the mechanical frame of an active exoskeleton for gait assistance
Authors: Pina Daniel Sá , Fernandes António Augusto , Jorge Renato Natal , Gabriel Joaquim
Published: February 2018

Recent studies predict that by 2060, people aged 65 or more will account to one third of the European population. These statistics raise questions regarding the sustainability of the society, so technological solutions have been emerging to prolong the active age of European citizens. One of the main impairments for elders to have an active life is an increasing difficulty in performing a natural gait. Some exoskeletons were identified with elder gait assistance as one of several features. However, to cover other features, these exoskeletons are generally large and bulky. Wearing a very visible device may cause an unwanted awkwardness. For this reason, the authors are developing an active exoskeleton whose sole purpose is to assist the gait of an elderly person. The proposed system is based on a low-profile design, allowing a smaller frame that permits the device to be worn beneath loose clothing, making it more desirable to wear in public by reducing social awkwardness. The framework for designing the mechanical support for the exoskeleton is presented. Three-dimensional human models were imported into Solidworks, developing the components assembled around the human models and performing finite element analysis simulations to test the system with subject of different weights. The design can adapt to several body shapes using variable distances between components. The exoskeleton frame supports 7 degrees of freedom for each lower limb.
In vitro assessment of nutraceutical compounds and novel nutraceutical formulations in a liver-steatosis-based model
Authors: Stellavato Antonietta , Pirozzi Anna Virginia Adriana , de Novellis Francesca , Scognamiglio Ilaria , Vassallo Valentina , Giori Andrea Maria , De Rosa Mario , Schiraldi Chiara
Published: February 2018

Background

Steatosis is a chronic liver disease that depends on the accumulation of intracellular fatty acids. Currently, no drug treatment has been licensed for steatosis; thus, only nutritional guidelines are indicated to reduce its progression. The aim of this study is to combine different nutraceutical compounds in order to evaluate their synergistic effects on a steatosis in vitro model compared to their separate use. In particular, three different formulations based on silymarin, curcumin, vitamin E, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), choline, and phosphatidylcholine were assayed.

Methods

Human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2 cell line) were treated with a mixture of fatty acids in order to induce an in vitro model of steatosic cells, and then the amount of intracellular fat was evaluated by Oil Red O staining. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α and γ (PPARα and γ) expression, closely correlated to lipid metabolism, was evaluated. The efficiency of these receptors was evaluated through the study of LPL mRNA expression, a marker involved in the lipolysis mechanism. Superoxide dismutase (SOD-2) and malondialdehydes (MDA) in lipid peroxidation were assayed as specific biomarkers of oxidative stress. In addition, experiments were performed using human liver cells stressed to obtain a steatosis model. In particular, the content of the intracellular fat was assayed using Oil Red O staining, the activation of PPARα and γ was evaluated through western blotting analyses, and the LPL mRNA expression level was analyzed through qRT-PCR.

Results

All formulations proved effective on lipid content reduction of about 35%. The oxidative stress damage was reduced by all the substances separately and even more efficiently by the same in formulation (i.e. Formulation 1 and Formulation 3, which reduced the SOD-2 expression and induced the PPARs activation). Lipid peroxidation, was reduced about 2 fold by foormulation2 and up to 5 fold by the others compared to the cells pretreated with H2O2.Formulation 1, was more effective on PPARγ expression (2.5 fold increase) respect to the other compounds on FA treated hepathocytes. Beside, LPL was activated also by Formulation 3 and resulted in a 5 to 9 fold-increase respect to FA treated control.

Conclusions

Our results proved that the formulations tested could be considered suitable support to face steatosis disease beside the mandatory dietetic regimen.
Dose Rounding of Biologic and Cytotoxic Anticancer Agents: A Position Statement of the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association
Authors: Fahrenbruch Rebecca , Kintzel Polly , Bott Anne Marie , Gilmore Steven , Markham Ryan
Published: February 2018

Purpose:

To present a position statement from the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) that pertains to dose rounding of biologic and cytotoxic anticancer agents.

Methods:

The HOPA Standards Committee organized a work group of oncology pharmacist specialists to examine the safety and value of dose rounding of biologic and cytotoxic anticancer agents. Primary literature that describes methods for dose rounding, with clinical or economic data, were analyzed. Relevant pharmacokinetic characteristics and aspects of product formulation were considered. Issues for institutional application were addressed.

Results:

Rounding of biologic and cytotoxic agents within 10% of the ordered dose is designated as acceptable for routine clinical care. Dose changes ≤ 10% are not expected to reduce the safety or effectiveness of therapy. The rounding amount—10%—is rational in the context of standard dose adjustments for patient tolerance and tumor response (≥ 20%), clinical trial deficiency criteria (> 10%), and the influence of interpatient pharmacokinetic variability. HOPA supports the use of the same threshold for dose rounding of anticancer drugs as that used for palliative and curative therapy. Potential exceptions to dose rounding are discussed.

Conclusion:

Dose rounding reduces waste and health care costs. HOPA recommends that each institution develop its own dose-rounding policy that addresses biologic and cytotoxic agents. Institutional guidelines for dose rounding of anticancer agents, including criteria for automatic dose rounding, the allowable percentage, and institutional processes for operationalizing and documenting dose rounding, should be determined by collaborative stakeholder consensus. Exceptions to dose rounding should be determined a priori. Additional studies that evaluate the impact of dose rounding on patient outcome are warranted.
Metabolic Characteristics of Recently Diagnosed Adult-Onset Autoimmune Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Zaharia Oana P , Bobrov Pavel , Strassburger Klaus , Bódis Kálmán , Karusheva Yanislava , Scholz Michaela , Markgraf Daniel F , Burkart Volker , Schloot Nanette C , Müssig Karsten , Szendroedi Julia , Roden Michael ,   GDS Group
Published: February 2018

Context and Objective

Among patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, autoimmune diabetes often remains undetected. Metabolic features of these patients are insufficiently characterized at present.

Design, Setting, and Patients

This study compared age- and sex-matched adult (aged 41 to 62 years) humans with recent-onset diabetes: patients positive for antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and/or cytoplasmic islet-cell antigen with an insulin-free period of >6 months [antibody positive/insulin negative (ab+/ins−); previously termed latent autoimmune diabetes of adults], type 1 diabetes [antibody positive/insulin positive (ab+/ins+)], and type 2 diabetes [antibody negative/insulin negative (ab−/ins−)], as well as glucose-tolerant humans (controls) of the German Diabetes Study (n = 41/group). β-Cell function was assessed from glucagon tests and intravenous glucose tolerance tests (IVGTTs), and insulin sensitivity was determined from hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps.

Results

Of the ab+/ins− patients, 33 (81%) were initially diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes. In ab+/ins−, body mass index (BMI) was higher than in ab+/ins+ (27.8 ± 5.3 kg/m2 vs 25.0 ± 3.5 kg/m2, P < 0.05), lower than in ab−/ins− (31.9 ± 5.8 kg/m2, P < 0.05), and similar to controls (29.4 ± 6.6 kg/m2). In ab+/ins−, GAD antibody titers correlated negatively with BMI (r = −0.40, P < 0.05) and with C-peptide secretion in glucagon stimulation tests (r = −0.33, P < 0.05). β-Cell function from IVGTT was 228% higher in ab+/ins− than in ab+/ins+ but 35% lower than in ab−/ins− and 61% lower than in controls (all P < 0.05). Insulin sensitivity in ab+/ins− was comparable to ab+/ins+ and controls but 41% higher than in ab−/ins− (P < 0.05) after adjustment for BMI and fasting blood glucose or hemoglobin A1c.

Conclusion

Even shortly after diagnosis, ab+/ins− patients feature partly preserved β-cell function and chronic hyperglycemia, which possibly contributes to the observed impairment of whole-body insulin sensitivity.
Spliceosomal components protect embryonic neurons from R-loop-mediated DNA damage and apoptosis
Authors: Sorrells Shelly , Nik Sara , Casey Mattie , Cameron Rosannah C. , Truong Harold , Toruno Cristhian , Gulfo Michelle , Lowe Albert , Jette Cicely , Stewart Rodney A. , Bowman Teresa V.
Published: February 2018

RNA splicing factors are essential for the viability of all eukaryotic cells; however, in metazoans some cell types are exquisitely sensitive to disruption of splicing factors. Neuronal cells represent one such cell type, and defects in RNA splicing factors can lead to neurodegenerative diseases. The basis for this tissue selectivity is not well understood owing to difficulties in analyzing the consequences of splicing factor defects in whole-animal systems. Here, we use zebrafish mutants to show that loss of spliceosomal components, including splicing factor 3b, subunit 1 (sf3b1), causes increased DNA double-strand breaks and apoptosis in embryonic neurons. Moreover, these mutants show a concomitant accumulation of R-loops, which are non-canonical nucleic acid structures that promote genomic instability. Dampening R-loop formation by conditional induction of ribonuclease H1 in sf3b1 mutants reduced neuronal DNA damage and apoptosis. These findings show that splicing factor dysfunction leads to R-loop accumulation and DNA damage that sensitizes embryonic neurons to apoptosis. Our results suggest that diseases associated with splicing factor mutations could be susceptible to treatments that modulate R-loop levels.
ALS lymphoblastoid cell lines as a considerable model to understand disease mechanisms
Authors: Pansarasa O. , Bordoni M. , Dufruca L. , Diamanti L. , Sproviero D. , Trotti R. , Bernuzzi S. , La Salvia S. , Gagliardi S. , Ceroni M. , Cereda C.
Published: February 2018

New evidences switch the hypothesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) from a “neurocentric” to a “multisystemic” or “non-neurocentric” point of view. From 2006, we focused on the study of non-neural cells, patients’ peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMBCs) and lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). Here, we characterized LCLs of sporadic ALS and patients carrying SOD1, TARDBP and FUS mutations to identify ALS biologically relevant signature, and whether and how mutations differentially affect ALS-linked pathways. Although LCLs are different from motor neurons (MNs), in LCLs we find out some features typical of degenerating MNs in ALS, i.e. protein aggregation and mitochondrial dysfunction. Moreover, different gene mutations otherwise affect ALS cellular mechanisms. TARDBP and FUS mutations imbalance mitochondrial dynamism toward an increased fusion, while sALS and SOD1 mutations mainly affect fission. As regard protein aggregation and/or mislocalization, TARDBP and SOD1 mutations show the presence of aggregates, while FUS mutation does not induce protein aggregation and/or mislocalization. Finally, all LCLs, independently from mutation, are not able to work in a condition of excessive energy request, suggesting that mitochondria from ALS patients are characterized by a significant metabolic defect. Taken together these data indicate that LCLs could be indicated as a valid cellular model in ALS research to study specific pathological pathways or to identify new ones.
Work–Life Conflict of Globally Distributed Software Development Personnel: An Empirical Investigation Using Border Theory
Authors: Sarker Saonee , Ahuja Manju , Sarker Suprateek
Published: February 2018

While a key motivation for globally distributed software development (GDSD) is to harness appropriate human capital, ironically, scant attention has been paid to addressing the human resource management issues faced by information technology (IT) professionals involved in this context. One particularly challenging human resource issue is that of work–life conflict (WLC) of the IT professionals involved in GDSD, who routinely experience overlaps and conflicts between their work and personal life domains. While WLC concerns are relevant in almost any contemporary environment, the GDSD context adds several layers of challenges arising from issues such as time differences, requirements instability, and the use of certain systems development methodologies. Recent research indicates that WLC issues go beyond individual concerns and are of strategic importance for talent retention. To develop a deeper understanding of these recognized challenges, we utilize Border Theory as a metatheoretical framework to develop and empirically test a model of organization-related and GDSD-related antecedents of WLC. In addition, we examine the impacts of WLC on job-related outcomes. Our study adopts a mixed-methods design, where an exploratory case along with a review of the literature is used to develop the research model. The model is then tested using a survey of 1,000 GDSD workers in three countries. We believe that our findings are not only of theoretical interest for the information systems discipline but also potentially helpful in improving the working conditions of the GDSD workforce.

The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.2017.0734 .