bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
« Articles contractés » ou « preposizioni articolate » ?
Authors: Sőrés Anna
Published: April 2018

The morphemes such as the French au or the Italien nel are designed by different terms in grammars of
Romance languages, which shows that it is difficult to identify the lexical category of this type of fusional morpheme. The aim of this
paper is to propose a detailed analysis of these contracted forms. I suggest that the fusion occurs during a secondary grammaticalization.
This process involves, on the one hand, the definite article, i.e. a grammatical element, and, on the other hand, some prepositions which,
semantically, can be functional or lexical but which function syntactically as grammatical elements. The analysis shows that case inflection
of nominals has been transferred to the preposition while the other categories appear in the article which merged with prepositions.
Therefore, the fusional forms can be considered as prepositions marked by the grammatical categories of gender, number and definiteness.
Trade costs, global value chains and economic development
Authors: Zi Yuan
Published: April 2018

This paper develops a model to study the impact of trade costs on developing countries’ industrialization when sequential production is networked in global value chains (GVCs). In a two-country setting, a decrease in trade costs of intermediates is associated with South joining and moving up the value chain and both North and South experiencing a welfare improvement. The wage gap between North and South first increases and then decreases. Extending the model to a multi-country setting, I show that reduced trade frictions lead to South countries joining GVCs due to wage differentials and low trade costs. This increases the wage in North but may decrease the wages of South countries that are already part of the network. Moreover, South countries that join tend to be regionally clustered. The model provides a first look at GVCs from the development angle, and raises policy questions regarding the governance of GVCs.
Community-Acquired Respiratory Paramyxovirus Infection After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Spahr Yasmin , Tschudin-Sutter Sarah , Baettig Veronika , Compagno Francesca , Tamm Michael , Halter Jörg , Gerull Sabine , Passweg Jakob , Hirsch Hans H , Khanna Nina
Published: April 2018

Background

Paramyxoviruses include respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), and human metapneumovirus (MPV), which may cause significant respiratory tract infectious disease (RTID) and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). However, clinical data regarding frequency and outcome are scarce.

Methods

We identified all paramyxovirus RTIDs in allogeneic HCT recipients diagnosed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction between 2010 and 2014. Baseline characteristics of patients, treatment, and outcome of each episode were analyzed; ie, moderate, severe, and very severe immunodeficiency (verySID) according to HCT ≤6 months, T- or B-cell depletion ≤3 months, graft-versus-host disease, neutropenia, lymphopenia, or hypo-gammaglobulinemia.

Results

One hundred three RTID episodes in 66 patients were identified (PIV 47% [48 of 103], RSV 32% [33 of 103], MPV 21% [22 of 103]). Episodes occurred in 85% (87 of 103) at >100 days post-HCT. Lower RTID accounted for 36% (37 of 103). Thirty-nine percent (40 of 103) of RTID episodes required hospitalization and more frequently affected patients with lower RTID. Six percent progressed from upper to lower RTID. Overall mortality was 6% and did not differ between paramyxoviruses. Sixty-one percent (63 of 103) of episodes occurred in patients with SID, and 20.2% (19 of 63) of episodes occurred in patients with verySID. Oral ribavirin plus intravenous immunoglobulin was administered in 38% (39 of 103) of RTIDs, preferably for RSV or MPV (P ≤ .001) and for SID patients (P = .001). Patients with verySID frequently progressed to lower RTID (P = .075), required intensive care unit transfer, and showed higher mortality.

Conclusion

Paramyxovirus RTID remains a major concern in allogeneic HCT patients fulfilling SID and verySID, emphasizing that efficacious and safe antiviral treatments are urgently needed.
Topical Adjuncts to Pulsed Dye Laser for Treatment of Port Wine Stains: Review of the Literature
Authors: Lipner Shari R.
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND

Port wine stains (PWS) pose a therapeutic challenge. Pulsed dye laser (PDL) is the treatment of choice; however, treatment is often ineffective and recurrences are common.

OBJECTIVE

This article provides a review of topical therapies that have been investigated to improve efficacy of PDL for the treatment of PWS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A literature search was performed through PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CINAHL, using the search terms “port wine stain,” “pulsed dye laser,” and “topical.”

RESULTS

Clinical trials have investigated the topical agents, timolol, imiquimod, and rapamycin (RPM) in combination with PDL for the treatment of PWS. Topical timolol with PDL failed to show improved efficacy compared with PDL alone. Two clinical trials using imiquimod and PDL showed enhanced blanching of PWS compared with controls. Rapamycin and PDL were more effective than controls for facial PWS, but not for nonfacial PWS.

CONCLUSION

Topical imiquimod and RPM have shown some efficacy in treating PWS with PDL, but to date there is no topical adjuvant to PDL that reliably improves results for PWS.
Recommendations and Extraction of Clinical Variables of Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Using Common Data Elements
Authors: Newland Pamela , Newland John M. , Hendricks-Ferguson Verna L. , Smith Judith M. , Oliver Brant J.
Published: April 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this article was to demonstrate the feasibility of using common data elements (CDEs) to search for information on the pediatric patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) and provide recommendations for future quality improvement and research in the use of CDEs for pediatric MS symptom management strategies Methods: The St. Louis Children’s Hospital (SLCH), Washington University (WU) pediatrics data network was evaluated for use of CDEs identified from a database to identify variables in pediatric MS, including the key clinical features from the disease course of MS. The algorithms used were based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth/Tenth Revision, codes and text keywords to identify pediatric patients with MS from a de-identified database. Data from a coordinating center of SLCH/WU pediatrics data network, which houses inpatient and outpatient records consisting of patients (N = 498 000), were identified, and detailed information regarding the clinical course of MS were located from the text of the medical records, including medications, presence of oligoclonal bands, year of diagnosis, and diagnosis code. Results: There were 466 pediatric patients with MS, with a few also having the comorbid diagnosis of anxiety and depression. Conclusions: St. Louis Children’s Hospital/WU pediatrics data network is one of the largest databases in the United States of detailed data, with the ability to query and validate clinical data for research on MS. Nurses and other healthcare professionals working with pediatric MS patients will benefit from having common disease identifiers for quality improvement, research, and practice. The increased knowledge of big data from SLCH/WU pediatrics data network has the potential to provide information for intervention and decision-making that can be personalized to the pediatric MS patient.
Autologous Bone Flap Resorption Years After Subtemporal Craniotomy
Authors: Obafunwa John Oladapo , Hammerl Emily , Jaskierny David , Taylor Livia , Russell Lynette , Reinhard Karl
Published: April 2018

In Spring of 2012, the partially undressed and skeletonized remains of a homeless adult Hispanic male was found in a fairly open wooded area in Nebraska. The remains showed evidence of extensive pathologies, which included healed traumas and surgeries. Examination of the decedent's medical records revealed that he had a history of kidney and liver problems, alcohol abuse, several traumas including a major head injury that necessitated a craniotomy, and radiological features of neurocysticercosis. The autologous bone flap, which was replaced after the craniotomy, had resorbed significantly away from the edges of the injury. Death was variously attributed to craniocerebral injury with hypothermia sequel to blunt force trauma most probably due to a fall. The manner of death was ruled as an accident. This study makes use of the forensic evidence and medical records to examine the possibility that the unique combination of failed cranioplasty, hypothermia, and neurocysticercosis may have contributed to the victim's death. Other potential causes of death are considered.
A Point-based Histologic Scoring System for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Can Stratify Risk of Posttransplant Tumor Recurrence
Authors: Roberts Daniel E. , Kakar Sanjay , Mehta Neil , Gill Ryan M.
Published: April 2018

Eligibility for liver transplant is most commonly decided by measuring tumor size and number on radiographic imaging. However, this method often underestimates the extent of disease. Evaluation of tumor histology has been shown to improve risk stratification when compared with imaging-based transplant criteria, but the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for grading hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are imprecise and require subjective interpretation by the pathologist. We performed a retrospective analysis of 190 explanted livers containing HCC and correlated histologic features with posttransplant recurrence to formulate a three-tiered, point-based scoring system that categorizes tumors as having a low, intermediate, or high risk of recurrence. Our Recurrence Risk Assessment Score (RRAS) evaluates tumor architecture and specific cytologic features—nuclear pleomorphism, cytoplasmic amphophilia, and nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio—showing superior stratification of HCC recurrence risk compared with imaging criteria and grade assigned by WHO methodology. Stratifying tumors using RRAS criteria, the rate of recurrence after transplant was 0% among low-risk tumors (compared with 3% of well-differentiated tumors), 12% among intermediate-risk tumors (compared with 15% of moderately differentiated tumors), and 54% among high-risk tumors (compared with 29% of poorly differentiated tumors). Receiver operating characteristic analysis shows significantly improved performance of RRAS criteria in predicting HCC recurrence compared with WHO grade (area under curve of 0.841 and 0.671, respectively; P=0.0061). Our results indicate that evaluation of tumor histology offers superior prediction of recurrence risk following liver transplantation compared with radiographic criteria, and that the RRAS system better stratifies recurrence risk compared with HCC grading by WHO methodology.
Disruption of the transcription factorNEUROD2causes an autism syndrome via cell-autonomous defects in cortical projection neurons
Authors: Runge Karen , Mathieu Rémi , Bugeon Stéphane , Lafi Sahra , Beurrier Corinne , Sahu Surajit , Schaller Fabienne , Loubat Arthur , Herault Leonard , Gaillard Stéphane , Cahuc Mélanie , Pallesi-Pocachard Emilie , Montheil Aurélie , Bosio Andreas , Rosenfeld Jill A , Hudson Eva , Lindstrom Kristin , Mercimek-Andrews Saadet , Jeffries Lauren , van Haeringen Arie , Vanakker Olivier , Pichon Bruno , Van Hecke Audrey , Amrom Dina , Küry Sebastien , Gamble Candace , Jacq Bernard , Fasano Laurent , Santpere Gabriel , Lorente-Galdos Belen , Sestan Nenad , Gelot Antoinette , Giacuzzo Sylvie , Represa Alfonso , Cardoso Carlos , Cremer Harold , de Chevigny Antoine
Published: April 2018

We identified seven families associatingNEUROD2pathogenic mutations with ASD and intellectual disability. To get insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms, we analyzed cortical development inNeurod2KO mice. Cortical projection neurons (CPNs) over-migrated during embryogenesis, inducing abnormal thickness and laminar positioning of cortical layers. At juvenile ages, dendritic spine turnover and intrinsic excitability were increased in L5 CPNs. Differentially expressed genes inNeurod2KO mice were enriched for voltage-gated ion channels, and the human orthologs of these genes were strongly associated with ASD. Furthermore, adultNeurod2KO mice exhibited core ASD-like behavioral abnormalities. Finally, by generatingNeurod2conditional mutant mice we demonstrate that forebrain excitatory neuron-specificNeurod2deletion recapitulates cellular and behavioral ASD phenotypes found in full KO mice. Our findings demonstrate crucial roles forNeurod2in cortical development and function, whose alterations likely account for ASD and related symptoms in the newly definedNEUROD2mutation syndrome.
Predicting the Impact of cis-Regulatory Variation on Alternative Polyadenylation
Authors: Bogard Nicholas , Linder Johannes , Rosenberg Alexander B. , Seelig Georg
Published: April 2018

Alternative polyadenylation (APA) is a major driver of transcriptome diversity in human cells. Here, we use deep learning to predict APA from DNA sequence alone. We trained our model (APARENT, APA REgression NeT) on isoform expression data from over three million APA reporters, built by inserting random sequence into twelve distinct 3’UTR contexts. Predictions are highly accurate across both synthetic and genomic contexts; when tasked with inferring APA in human 3’UTRs, APARENT outperforms models trained exclusively on endogenous data. Visualizing features learned across all network layers reveals that APARENT recognizes sequence motifs known to recruit APA regulators, discovers previously unknown sequence determinants of cleavage site selection, and integrates these features into a comprehensive, interpretable cis-regulatory code. Finally, we use APARENT to quantify the impact of genetic variants on APA. Our approach detects pathogenic variants in a wide range of disease contexts, expanding our understanding of the genetic origins of disease.
CHOP and IRE1α-XBP1/JNK signaling promote Newcastle Disease Virus induced apoptosis and benefit virus proliferation
Authors: Li Yanrong , Liao Ying , Niu Qiaona , Gu Feng , Sun Yingjie , Meng Chunchun , Tan Lei , Song Cuiping , Qiu Xusheng , Ding Chan
Published: April 2018

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) causes severe infectious disease in poultry, and selectively kills tumor cells by inducing apoptosis. In this report, we revealed the mechanisms underlying NDV-induced apoptosis via investigation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related unfolded protein response (UPR) in HeLa cells. We found that NDV infection induced the expression of pro-apoptotic transcription factor CHOP via PKR-eIF2α pathway. Knock down and exogenous expression studies showed that CHOP promoted cell apoptosis by down-regulation of anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2 and MCL-1, promotion of pro-apoptotic JNK and p38 signaling, and suppression of pro-survival AKT signaling. Meanwhile, CHOP facilitated NDV proliferation. Furthermore, virus infection activated IRE1α, another ER stress sensor, thereby promoting the mRNA splicing of XBP1 and resulting in the translation of transcription factor XBP1s. XBP1s entered into cell nucleus, promoted the expression of ER chaperones and components of ER associated degradation (ERAD). Exogenous expression of XBP1s helped IBV proliferation, and silence of XBP1s reduced virus proliferation. Meanwhile, exogenous expression and knock down studies demonstrated that IRE1α activated pro-apoptotic JNK signaling, promoted apoptosis and inflammation. In conclusion, our current study demonstrates that the induction of CHOP and activation of IRE1α-XBP1/JNK signaling cascades promote apoptosis and benefit NDV proliferation.

IMPORTANCE

It is well known that NDV kills host animal and tumor cells by inducing cell apoptosis. Although several studies investigate the apoptotic phenomena in NDV-infected tumor cells, the molecular mechanisms underlying this oncolytic virus induced apoptosis is not well understood yet. In this study, we focus on characterization of the ER stress responses in NDV-infected tumor cells, and find that virus induces apoptosis by up-regulation or activation of several unfolded protein responses (UPR) related transcription factors and signaling: such as ATF4, CHOP and XBP1s, and pro-apoptotic kinases (IRE1α, JNK, p38). Moreover, activation of these transcription factors and signaling cascades helps virus proliferation. Our study dissects the UPR induced apoptosis in NDV-infected tumor cells, and provides the evidence that UPR favors NDV proliferation.
Mass Action Kinetic Model of Apoptosis by TRAIL-Functionalized Leukocytes
Authors: Lederman Emily E. , King Michael R.
Published: April 2018

1 Abstract

Background

Metastasis through the bloodstream contributes to poor prognosis in many types of cancer. A unique approach to target and kill colon, prostate, and other epithelial-type cancer cells in the blood has been recently developed that causes circulating leukocytes to present the cancer-specific, liposome-bound Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) on their surface along with E – selectin adhesion receptors. This approach, demonstrated both in vitro with human blood and in mice, mimics the cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells. The resulting liposomal TRAIL-coated leukocytes hold promise as an effective means to neutralize circulating tumor cells that enter the bloodstream with the potential to form new metastases.

Results

The computational biology study reported here examines the mechanism of this effective signal delivery, by considering the kinetics of the coupled reaction cascade, from TRAIL binding death receptor to eventual apoptosis. In this study, a collision of bound TRAIL with circulating tumor cells (CTCs) is considered and compared to a prolonged exposure of CTCs to soluble TRAIL. An existing computational model of soluble TRAIL treatment was modified to represent the kinetics from a diffusion-limited 3D reference frame into a 2D collision frame with advection and adhesion to mimic the E – selectin and membrane bound TRAIL treatment. Thus, the current model recreates the new approach of targeting cancer cells within the blood. The model was found to faithfully reproduce representative observations from experiments of liposomal TRAIL treatment under shear. The model predicts apoptosis of CTCs within 2 hr when treated with membrane bound TRAIL, while apoptosis in CTCs treated with soluble TRAIL proceeds much more slowly over the course of 10 hrs, consistent with previous experiments. Given the clearance rate of soluble TRAIL in vivo, this model predicts that the soluble TRAIL method would be rendered ineffective, as found in previous experiments.

Conclusion

This study therefore indicates that the kinetics of the coupled reaction cascade of liposomal E – selectin and membrane bound TRAIL colliding with CTCs can explain why this new approach to target and kill cancer cells in blood is much more effective than its soluble counterpart.
In silico mouse study identifies tumor growth kinetics as biomarkers for the outcome of anti-angiogenic treatment
Authors: Wu Qianhui , Arnheim Alyssa D. , Finley Stacey D.
Published: April 2018

Angiogenesis is a crucial step in tumor progression, as this process allows tumors to recruit new blood vessels and obtain oxygen and nutrients to sustain growth. Therefore, inhibiting angiogenesis remains a viable strategy for cancer therapy. However, anti-angiogenic therapy has not proved to be effective in reducing tumor growth across a wide range of tumors, and no reliable predictive biomarkers have been found to determine the efficacy of anti-angiogenic treatment. Using our previously established computational model of tumor-bearing mice, we sought to determine whether tumor growth kinetic parameters could be used to predict the outcome of anti-angiogenic treatment. A model trained with datasets from six in vivo mice studies was used to generate a randomized in silico tumor-bearing mouse population. We analyzed tumor growth in untreated mice (control) and mice treated with an anti-angiogenic agent and determined the Kaplan-Meier survival estimates based on simulated tumor volume data. We found that the ratio between two kinetic parameters, k0 and k1, which characterize the tumor’s exponential and linear growth rates, as well as k1 alone, can be used as prognostic biomarkers of population survival outcome. Our work demonstrates a robust, quantitative approach for identifying tumor growth kinetic parameters as prognostic biomarkers and serves as a template that can be used to identify other biomarkers for anti-angiogenic treatment.
Nonlinear dynamics of chemotherapeutic resistance
Authors: Ma Y. , Newton P.K.
Published: April 2018

We use a three-component replicator dynamical system with healthy cells, sensitive cells, and resistant cells, with a prisoner’s dilemma payoff matrix from evolutionary game theory to understand the phenomenon of competitive release, which is the main mechanism by which tumors develop chemotherapeutic resistance. By comparing the phase portraits of the system without therapy compared to continuous therapy above a certain threshold, we show that chemotherapeutic resistance develops if there are pre-exisiting resistance cells in the population. We examine the basin boundaries of attraction associated with the chemo-sensitive population and the chemo-resistant population for increasing values of chemo-concentrations and show their spiral intertwined structure. We also examine the fitness landscapes both with and without continuous therapy and show that with therapy, the average fitness as well as the fitness functions of each of the subpopulations initially increases, but eventually decreases monotonically as the resistant subpopulation saturates the tumor.
Transforming and empowering higher education through Open and Distance Learning in India
Authors: Bordoloi Ritimoni
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Higher education should bring up the multifaceted development of human resources by promoting the knowledge-enabled population that will bring socio-economic mobility, peace and progress in society. Thus, the educational providers must undertake the duty to impart need-based higher education that makes people educated with a progressive, rational, analytical, and skilful mind. Hence, there is an urgent need to address some basic challenges of higher education such as required educational avenues or institutional set up against the demand of the population, achievements in global learning, providing room for equal access to learning, research on cost benefit analysis, educational innovations and partnership, use of educational technology, quality assurance mechanism, need for adequate funds for the expansion of higher education, and so on. Once these challenges are addressed, transformation of the society can be a reality, and Open and Distance Learning (ODL) system is one of the most viable ways for transforming a country like India. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

For this study, descriptive research methodology has been used, and analysis has been done based on the data extracted from the secondary sources of information such as Census of India 2011; India Human Development Report 2011; Human Development Report 2014, 2015; Economic Survey 2015-2016; NFHS-I, II, III and IV; Report of 11th Five Years Plan; 12th FYP; Annual Report 2015-16, MHRD; Annual Report of NSS, 2016, etc.

Findings

ODL can be raised as an alternative way for making education accessible and for providing scope for skill-based education at a minimum cost. In fact, ODL, in particular, can play a significant role in transforming and empowering the vibrant adult population of a country like India into productive human resources by providing need-based training and equipping them with need-based skills, which are necessary for maintaining a decent standard of living.

Social implications

Through this paper, it could be realised how ODL provides the opportunity of education to a large section of people in the society irrespective of sex and age, and how ODL has made the people capable with basic and essential kills which are necessary for maintaining a decent standard of living.

Originality/value

ODL could be a most viable option to mobilise the higher education system in India. This paper helps to contextualise ODL in empowering and transforming society, and the finding, and discussions have been made with reference to the various initiatives taken in the field of skill-based education through ODL in a country like India.
Impact of social media strategies on stock price: the case of Twitter
Authors: Chahine Salim , Malhotra Naresh K.
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Social media have recently become an important strategic marketing tool to increase firm value. Based on an integrated theoretical framework, this study aims to examine the market reaction at the time of the creation of a Twitter platform for 312 firms from the Fortune 500 firms.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the hypotheses related to the effect of social media platforms on firm value, the event history analysis (EHA) was used, also known as event study, usually designed to examine the impact of a historical phenomenon for the US Fortune 500 firms that developed a Twitter platform.

Findings

A significant market reaction was found around the starting date of Twitter activities for the subsample of firms that are not contaminated by any other corporate announcements, but not for the overall sample. The market reaction is higher for firms with two-way interaction strategies rather than one-way messaging in both the uncontaminated subsample and the overall sample. It is higher in smaller firms, firms with losses and those with a family and/or a dominant shareholder. Further, firms in the contaminated subsample are likely to follow a two-way strategy after a positive revision of their earnings per share. We have run several robustness checks, including cross-validation on a holdout sample, and these findings remain consistent.

Research limitations/implications

The integrated theoretical framework is another significant contribution. To our knowledge, this is the first study across disciplines that integrates the social exchange theory (SET), social representation theory (SRT), social network analysis (SNA), social identity theory (SIT), signaling theory (ST) and the impression management theory (IMT) into one framework that is built around information as a resource and social interaction.

Practical implications

The results suggest that Twitter can be used to add value if firms interact and reciprocate with the various stakeholders.

Social implications

Firms using social media must interact and reciprocate with the various stakeholders.

Originality/value

This research is different than the published research on this topic in that it examines the impact on stock prices of the introduction of a specific social media platform, i.e. Twitter. The present results of the paper add to the prior research on database marketing and show that marketing “with” the customer is adding more value than marketing “to” the customer. The use of the net extends the scope of database marketing into a certain form of interaction marketing with “face-to-face” interaction within the relationships between the firm and its customers. Finally, the conditions under which social media platforms are used in an interactive manner are shown, and depicts that firms are more likely to use a two-way interactive strategy following a one-year period of positive momentum.
Sustainable forest management in Poland
Authors: Bartniczak Bartosz , Raszkowski Andrzej
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse sustainable forest management in Poland in the years 2009-2015. The concept of sustainable development itself has also been analysed as the starting point for sustainable forest management development. Based on the conducted analysis of statistical data, it was attempted to answer the question about the condition of sustainable forest management in Poland.

Design/methodology/approach

Two basic research methods were used in the presented paper. The first of them was the analysis of existing data. The conducted analysis covered the subject literature, reports and analyses referring to forest management. The second applied research method was the statistical analysis which covered structure analysis and dynamics analysis.

Findings

It can be adopted, within the framework of general conclusions, that the condition of sustainable forest management in Poland is moderately satisfactory, with the reservation of the need to maintain and intensify all processes and projects aimed at the implementation of the broadly approached concept of sustainable development.

Originality/value

The core of the study is focused on the statistical analysis of selected forest management aspects in Poland in the context of the assessment of sustainable forest management condition, with particular emphasis on forest cover, defoliation, forest area, restoration and afforestation, tree planting, wood harvesting, average wood sales price, excluding land from forest production for non-forest purposes. The importance of environmental education was also highlighted.
Power-aware workload allocation for green data centers
Authors: Chaddad Louma Ahmad , Chehab Ali , Elhajj Imad , Kayssi Ayman
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an approach to reduce energy consumption in data centers. Subsequently, it reduces electricity bills and carbon dioxide footprints resulting from their use.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors present a mathematical model of the energy dissipation optimization problem. The authors formulate analytically the server selection problem and the supply air temperature as a non-linear programming, and propose an algorithm to solve it dynamically.

Findings

A simulation study on SimWare, using real workload traces, shows considerable savings for different data center sizes and utilization rates as compared to three other classic algorithms. The results prove that the proposed algorithm is efficient in handling the energy-performance trade-off, and that the proposed algorithm provides significant energy savings and maintains a relatively homogenous and stable thermal state at the different rack units in the data center.

Originality/value

The proposed algorithm ensures energy provisioning, performance optimization over existing state-of-the-art heuristics, and on-demand workload allocation.
European Agricultural Science Funding: Examining Trends and Prospects
Authors: Chartier Olivier , Doghmi Myriam , Fligny Cècile
Published: April 2018

Proper evaluation of the impact of agricultural research requires data on how much has been spent to achieve its desired effects on productivity, efficiency and environmental quality. However, official statistics on aggregate volumes of research expenditure, at both European and national levels, are intermittently available and most data collected for private research are not fully compatible with data for public research. This study in 20 European countries in 2014 defines the different concepts at international level, and assesses coverage across countries, using secondary data and key informant interviews. Coverage is unequal by country and type of measure, the lowest coverage being for agriculture as a socioeconomic objective. We depict recent trends in public agricultural research, which differ by country. We then formulate three policy options and recommendations for their implementation to improve the monitoring of agricultural research investment in Europe: 1) make compulsory in the EU statistical system the collection of statistics on agricultural research expenditure using the same metrics for all sectors of performance; 2) develop a specific survey in the Commission to obtain data directly from research organisations; 3) prepare annual reviews of agricultural research expenditures at Member State level, including both quantitative and qualitative information on agricultural research activities.
Editorial: are the “miraculous” direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) regimens really safe?
Authors: Papanikolaou I. S. , Papadimitropoulos V.
Published: April 2018

Linked Content

This article is linked to Attia et al paper. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14538.
Editorial: monitoring vedolizumab trough serum concentration in inflammatory bowel disease—following the fate of anti‐TNF‐alpha agents?
Authors: Fragaki M. , Karmiris K.
Published: April 2018

Linked Content

This article is linked to Yacoub et al paper. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14548.
Editorial: the sphincter of Oddi strikes again—eluxadoline illuminates a controversial mechanism for the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis
Authors: Coté G. A.
Published: April 2018

Linked Content

This article is linked to Harinstein et al paper. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14504.
Editorial: optimal dose of carvedilol in portal hypertension…nearly there
Authors: Tripathi D. , Stanley A. J.
Published: April 2018

Linked Content

This articel is linked to Schwarzer et al and Reiberger and Ferlitsch papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14576 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14614.
Editorial: the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection worldwide—knowns and unknowns
Authors: Tsipotis E. , Leontiadis G. I.
Published: April 2018

Linked Content

This article is linked to Zamani et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14561 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14618.
Patientenzufriedenheit von 1827 Patienten nach verschiedenen Rekonstruktionsmethoden im Gesichtsbereich in Abhängigkeit von Alter, Defektgröße und Lokalisation
Authors: Schnabl Saskia Maria , Breuninger Helmut , Iordanou Eleni , Scheu Alexander , Kofler Lukas , Häfner Hans‐Martin , Eberle Franziska Carola
Published: April 2018

Hintergrund

Nach Tumoroperationen erfolgt ein Defektverschluss mit den für den individuellen Fall optimalen chirurgischen Methoden. Besonders im Kopf‐Hals‐­Bereich ist das Ergebnis sehr wichtig. Ziel der retrospektiven Studie war es, Rekonstruktionsmethoden von Defekten entsprechend Alter, Lokalisation und Größe nach funktionellen und ästhetischen Gesichtspunkten zu vergleichen.

Patienten und Methodik

Die betroffenen Patienten wurden mittels Fragebögen angeschrieben. 1827 Patienten (Alter von 18 bis 92 Jahren, Median: 56 Jahre) beurteilten postoperative Probleme, ästhetisches sowie funktionelles Ergebnis und das Gesamtresultat. Aus der Patientenakte wurden Größe und Lokalisation des Defektes sowie die Art des Verschlusses dokumentiert.

Ergebnisse

Die Dehnungslappenplastik erhielt bezüglich des Gesamtresultats mit einer sehr guten oder guten Bewertung (86 %) das beste Ergebnis. Lappenplastiken und Hauttransplantate wurden schlechter beurteilt. Postoperative Beschwerden traten signifikant häufiger nach lokalen Lappenplastiken auf. Die Sichtbarkeit der Narbe wurde von älteren Patienten bei allen Defektgrößen (< 150 mm2, 150–300 mm2, > 300 mm2) geringer beurteilt als von jüngeren. Narben in der zentralen Gesichtspartie wurden als sichtbarer wahrgenommen. Geschlecht und Rauchen hatten keinen Einfluss.

Schlussfolgerungen

Narben in zentralen Gesichtsregionen werden stärker wahrgenommen. Ältere Patienten beurteilten die Narbenbildung insgesamt als unauffälliger. Dehnungslappenplastiken, auch unter Wundrandspannung, führen zu sehr guten Ergebnissen und einer hohen Patientenzufriedenheit.
S1 Guidelines – Dermatoses associated with dermal lymphostasis
Authors: Dissemond Joachim , Jockenhöfer Finja , Miller Anya , Kurzhals Günter , Noori Shahrouz , Reich‐Schupke Stefanie , Schlaeger Martin , Schubert Erich , Stücker Markus , Weberschock Tobias , Jungkunz Hans Wilfried
Published: April 2018

The objective of the present S1 guidelines is to present current knowledge about dermatologically relevant diseases associated with localized dermal lymphostasis, thus facilitating their early detection, diagnostic workup, and targeted treatment. Whenever possible, treatment should be based on stage‐appropriate and clearly defined algorithms. The numerous issues regarding differential diagnosis and treatment clinicians are confronted with in everyday clinical practice seem to warrant the publication of up‐to‐date guidelines.

These guidelines focus on patients of all age groups and genders exhibiting skin lesions caused by dermal lymphostasis. Specific recommendations are provided with respect to the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the various clinical manifestations. In this context, comorbid skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, urticaria, and contact dermatitis will be highlighted, including their treatment and associated specific risks. Several other relevant current guidelines are referenced as regards the distinction from and treatment of common cofactors and comorbid conditions.
S1‐Leitlinie – Dermatosen bei dermaler Lymphostase
Authors: Dissemond Joachim , Jockenhöfer Finja , Miller Anya , Kurzhals Günter , Noori Shahrouz , Reich‐Schupke Stefanie , Schlaeger Martin , Schubert Erich , Stücker Markus , Weberschock Tobias , Jungkunz Hans Wilfried
Published: April 2018

Das Ziel dieser S1‐Leitlinie ist es, aktuelles Wissen über dermatologisch relevante Krankheitsbilder bei lokal begrenzter dermaler Lymphostase an allen Lokalisationen des Hautorgans zu vermitteln, um diese frühzeitig zu erkennen, diagnostisch zu sichern und gezielt zu behandeln. Wann immer möglich, sollte diese Therapie anhand klar definierter Algorithmen stadiengerecht erfolgen. Die im klinischen Alltag häufig auftauchenden differenzialdiagnostischen und therapeutischen Fragen lassen eine aktuelle Leitlinie notwendig erscheinen.

Diese Leitlinie fokussiert auf Patienten jeglichen Alters und Geschlechts mit Hautveränderungen, die im kausalen Zusammenhang mit dermaler Lymphostase stehen. In konkreten Handlungsempfehlungen werden die Diagnostik und Differenzialdiagnostik der verschiedenen Manifestationsformen bei gleichzeitig auftretender dermatologischer Komorbidität wie beispielsweise atopische Dermatitis, Psoriasis vulgaris, Acne inversa, Urtikaria, Kontaktekzeme sowie ihre Therapien unter Berücksichtigung besonderer Risiken veranschaulicht. Für die Abgrenzung und Behandlung häufiger therapierelevanter Kofaktoren und Komorbidität wird auf mehrere andere hierfür relevante aktuelle Leitlinien verwiesen.
A rare giant congenital left atrial appendage aneurysm in a 1‐day‐old newborn
Authors: Aydin Sahin Derya , Vefa Yildirim Selman , Ozkan Murat
Published: April 2018

Congenital left atrial appendage aneurysm (LAAA) is a very rare condition and occurs as a result of congenital dysplasia of musculi pectinate. These patients may be asymptomatic and/or may present with dyspnea, and thromboembolic events. The most common complications are life‐threatening thromboembolic events and supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. Transthoracic echocardiography plays a very important role in the diagnosis of LAAA. Herein, we present a rare case of giant congenital LAAA.
Incremental value of left atrial active function measured by speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Fujimoto Kaori , Inoue Katsuji , Saito Makoto , Higashi Haruhiko , Kono Tamami , Uetani Teruyoshi , Aono Jun , Nagai Takayuki , Nishimura Kazuhisa , Suzuki Jun , Okura Takafumi , Ikeda Shuntaro , Nakatani Satoshi , Higaki Jitsuo
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) impairs left ventricular (LV) diastolic function leading to left atrial (LA) dilatation. Because Doppler echocardiography cannot accurately assess LV diastolic function in hearts with heterogeneous hypertrophy, assessment of LA function might be useful for risk stratification of patients with HCM. This study aimed to elucidate the impact of LA function on outcome in patients with patients.

Methods

Seventy‐six patients with HCM who underwent echocardiographic and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging were retrospectively enrolled. Twenty‐six control subjects were also included. Using speckle tracking echocardiography, LA function was divided into active and passive strain indices based on the timing of the second positive peak of LA strain rate that occurred during LV systole.

Results

Left atrial strain indices of active and passive function were significantly impaired concomitantly with increased LA volume index in HCM patients compared with controls. During follow‐up (2.6 ± 1.7 years), 14 patients with HCM developed cardiac events (heart failure hospitalization or atrial fibrillation). The association of LA active strain with cardiac events was independent of and incremental to clinical and echocardiographic parameters (age, gender, E/e′, LV global longitudinal strain, and LA volume index) in sequential models. Cardiac events were more frequent in HCM patients with LA active strain <20.3% than with active strain ≥20.3% (P = .01).

Conclusion

Loss of LA active function was associated with increased cardiac events in patients with HCM.
Abnormal ventricular repolarization in long QT syndrome carriers is related to short left ventricular filling time and attenuated stroke volume response during exercise
Authors: Charisopoulou Dafni , Koulaouzidis George , Rydberg Annika , Henein Michael Y.
Published: April 2018

Background

Long QT syndrome (LQTS) carriers are characterized by abnormal ventricular repolarization, prolonged systole, and mechanical dispersion. Prolonged left ventricular (LV) systole has been shown to result in disproportionate shortening of LV filling in other conditions. The aim of this study was to assess LV filling, diastolic function, and stroke volume (SV) response to dynamic exercise, in a group of LQTS carriers.

Methods

Forty‐seven LQTS carriers (45 ± 15 years, 20 symptomatic) and 35 healthy individuals underwent bicycle stress echocardiogram. Electrocardiographic and echocardiographic measurements were obtained at rest, peak exercise, and 4 minutes into recovery.

Results

Long QT syndrome carriers and controls did not differ in age, gender, heart rate, QRS duration, or LV ejection fraction. At rest, LQTS carriers had longer QTc and shorter filling time (FT). At peak exercise, QTc increased and remained longer than controls at recovery. A negative correlation was found between QTc and FT (r = −.398, P = .001) with greater fall in FT in LQTS carriers than in controls at peak exercise (−23% ± 10 vs +2% ± 3, P < .0001). FT correlated with SV (r = +.27, P = .001), which increased more in controls than in LQTS carriers (+32% ± 4 vs +2% ± 1, P < .05). These differences were more pronounced in symptomatic LQTS carriers who had shorter FT and smaller SV at peak exercise and during recovery compared to asymptomatics (P < .05).

Conclusions

Long QT syndrome carriers have longer QTc, but also shorter FT. These disturbances worsen at peak exercise (particularly in symptomatics) compromising LV filling and SV, hence a potential pathomechanism for adverse events.
Call recognition and female choice in a treefrog with a multicomponent call
Authors: Oliva Mark V. , Kaiser Kristine , Robertson Jeanne M. , Gray David A.
Published: April 2018

Acoustic mating signals are typically species‐specific, and often additionally are subject to directional female preferences. Male executioner treefrogs, Dendropsophus carnifex, produce a multicomponent advertisement call composed of an introductory screech note followed by two or more click notes. Here, we tested (i) call recognition by comparing female directed phonotaxis towards individual and combined call components: screech vs. clicks vs. screech + clicks, (ii) female preferences for greater numbers of click notes and (iii) female preferences for faster call rates. The results demonstrated that screeches and clicks, presented either separately or together as a complete call, evoke similar female responses, suggesting that either note was sufficient to elicit a mate‐recognition response. Additionally, females preferred calls with greater numbers of click notes and with faster call rates. We interpret these results within the context of female mate selection in natural choruses.
Recurrent stone‐forming patients have high visceral fat ratio based on computed tomography images compared to first‐time stone‐forming patients
Authors: Yamashita Shimpei , Iguchi Takashi , Nishizawa Satoshi , Iba Akinori , Kohjimoto Yasuo , Hara Isao
Published: April 2018

Objectives

To compare various fat parameters based on computed tomography images between recurrent stone‐forming patients and patients forming stones for the first time.

Methods

Included in the present study were 300 patients with upper urinary tract calculi who had undergone active stone removal in our hospital. Using pretreatment computed tomography images, we measured visceral fat area and volume, subcutaneous fat area and volume, visceral fat area ratio and visceral fat volume ratio. We compared patient backgrounds and these fat parameters between those who recurrently formed stones and those who formed stones for the first time. We also performed logistic regression analysis to identify factors that contribute to severe stones.

Results

A total of 148 (49.3%) patients were recurrent stone‐forming patients. Recurrent stone‐forming patients were statistically significantly younger (P < 0.01) and there were more male patients (P < 0.01). In addition, visceral fat area ratio and visceral fat volume ratio in recurrent stone‐forming patients were significantly higher than those in first‐time stone‐forming patients (P = 0.03 and P = 0.01, respectively). On the other hand, there was no significant difference in visceral fat area (P = 0.32), subcutaneous fat area (P = 0.36), visceral fat volume (P = 0.38) or subcutaneous fat volume (P = 0.23). Receiver operating characteristics analysis showed that area under the curve of visceral fat volume ratio (0.583) for recurrent stones was larger than that of visceral fat area ratio (0.571). In multivariate analysis, increasing visceral fat volume ratio was an independent significant predictor of recurrent stones (P = 0.04).

Conclusions

Recurrent stone‐forming patients have high visceral fat ratios compared to first‐time stone‐forming patients, shown here for the first time.
Children's Perceptions About the Quality of Pediatric Nursing Care: A Large Multicenter Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Comparcini Dania , Simonetti Valentina , Tomietto Marco , Leino‐Kilpi Helena , Pelander Tiina , Cicolini Giancarlo
Published: April 2018

Introduction

This study explored children's perceptions about the quality of nursing care and the determinants of their evaluations according to different categories of children's ages.

Design

Multicenter cross‐sectional study carried out on 692 pediatric patients in eight large Italian regional hospitals.

Methods

We used a validated questionnaire, translated and adapted to the Italian context, consisting of 49 items (5‐point Likert scale) exploring nurse characteristics, nursing activities, and nursing environment.

Findings

The mean score of children's perceptions of their overall experience of hospitalization was 3.96; the nurse characteristics factor obtained the highest score (mean = 3.79), and it was in positive correlation with the satisfaction level across different age categories: 4 to 6 years, β = .37; 7 to 11 years, β = .31; and 12 to 14 years, β = .32.

Conclusions

Nurse characteristics is the only significant factor contributing to children's satisfaction across the three different age categories.

Clinical Relevance

In pediatric nursing care, it is important to emphasize that nurses’ personal characteristics and the ability to connect with children are essential compared to the ability to perform tasks.