bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Testing Relevant Hypotheses in Functional Time Series via Self-Normalization
Authors: Dette Holger , Kokot Kevin , Volgushev Stanislav 
Published: May 2020

SummaryWe develop methodology for testing relevant hypotheses about functional time series in a tuning-free way. Instead of testing for exact equality, e.g. for the equality of two mean functions from two independent time series, we propose to test the null hypothesis of no relevant deviation. In the two-sample problem this means that an L2-distance between the two mean functions is smaller than a prespecified threshold. For such hypotheses self-normalization, which was introduced in 2010 by Shao, and Shao and Zhang and is commonly used to avoid the estimation of nuisance parameters, is not directly applicable. We develop new self-normalized procedures for testing relevant hypotheses in the one-sample, two-sample and change point problem and investigate their asymptotic properties. Finite sample properties of the tests proposed are illustrated by means of a simulation study and data examples. Our main focus is on functional time series, but extensions to other settings are also briefly discussed.
The relationships of job and family demands and job and family resources with family caregivers’ strain
Authors: Boumans Nicolle P. G. , Dorant Elisabeth 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundBecause of an expected increase in the number of family caregivers, there is a growing public and scientific interest in family caregiving and more specifically in the combination of family care with paid employment. It is important to gain insight in the family caregivers’ strain and determining factors in the job and family domain.AimThe aim of the study was to examine the associations of job and family demands and job and family resources with indicators of caregivers’ psychological strain, that is caregiver burden, work‐related emotional exhaustion and general ill mental health. In our research, we focused on individuals who combine paid employment with family caregiving.MethodsA cross‐sectional design was used. The study sample was derived in 2011 from a Dutch financial organisation and a healthcare organisation. A digital fully structured questionnaire was used. The sample consisted of 187 employees who identified themselves as family caregivers. Descriptive statistics and hierarchical linear regression analysis were performed.ResultsJob demands (i.e. workload, work–family conflict) and family demands (i.e. family care hours and family–work conflict) were significantly positively associated with all three domain‐specific indicators of strain. The resources of work–family and family–work enrichment and autonomy did not contribute to less experienced strain. More supervisor and colleague support was associated with lower ill mental health.ConclusionOur study showed that job demands (workload, work–family conflict) and family demands (family care hours, family–work conflict) were clearly associated with caregiver strain, while associations for job and family resources were not evident. It remains necessary to pay attention to the demanding aspects of dual roles of family caregivers but also to investigate the resources they have available at work as well as in their home situation and explore their potential reducing effect on family caregivers’ strain.
Aragonite depositional facies in a Late Ordovician calcite sea, Eastern Laurentia
Authors: James Noel P. , Narbonne Guy M. , Armstrong Alexis K. R. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe Black River (Upper Ordovician – Sandbian) and Trenton (Upper Ordovician – Katian) groups are traditionally interpreted as a deepening‐upward succession deposited in a progressively subsiding Appalachian Basin margin that contained warm‐water, marine, photozoan deposits that pass upward into cool‐water, marine, heterozoan carbonates. This succession is customarily interpreted to reflect an incursion of cold, high‐latitude ocean waters into the area. This view is herein confirmed for coeval carbonates in the northern part of the basin, particularly the St. Lawrence Platform. They are now well explained in this study on the basis of recent studies of cool‐water carbonates and calcite–aragonite seas. Overall the succession is one of Sandbian photozoan ramp deposits succeeded by Katian heterozoan ramp carbonates that changed back to photozoan ramp deposits prior to the Hirnantian glaciation. The current interpretation, that deposition took place throughout a calcite sea time, seems at odds with this series of strata. Instead it is herein proposed that deposition took place during an aragonite sea time wherein calcite sea‐like sediments accumulated under cold ocean‐water temperatures. Such an interpretation is supported by recent experimental data that supports the importance of seawater temperature on CaCO3 polymorph precipitation. If correct, this means that some of the evidence for calcite sea deposition through time brought about by global tectonics, should be re‐evaluated to make sure it was not simply cool‐water carbonate production.
We have our dignity, yeah? Scrutiny under suspicion: Experiences of welfare conditionality in the Irish social protection system
Authors: Whelan Joe 
Published: May 2020

AbstractConditionality has arguably always been part of welfare and poor relief regimes dating at least as far back as the poor laws and the condition of less eligibility. Nevertheless, there has arguably been a more pronounced turn towards welfare conditionality in the latter part of the 20th and beginning of the 21st centuries and this appears to be continuing across jurisdictions largely unabated and despite the fact that large amounts of evidence continue to suggest the ineffectiveness of welfare conditionality as means of promoting re‐ entry to the workforce for those experiencing unemployment. Alongside this, much evidence also points to the ultimately deleterious effects of welfare conditionality on those at whom it is targeted. This is an area which has seen an abundance of recent contributions in the context of the UK and further afield but that has arguably suffered from a lack of cognate data that sheds light on the Irish example. In attempting to begin to remedy this, this article presents data from a series of interviews carried out with welfare recipients in Ireland in 2018. The purpose of this article is to shed light on experiences of conditionality in the contemporary Irish welfare state and to attempt to nuance further what conditionality can mean. In doing so, this article takes the approach of allowing the data to “speak for itself” in order to best showcase the experiences of those most affected by welfare conditionality.
Prediction of cytomegalovirus infection: A single‐center experience utilizing a newly available cell‐mediated immunity assay by flow cytometry, a risk factor screening tool, and serologically demonstrated immunity
Authors: Jorgenson Margaret R. , Hillis Mikala I. , Saddler Christopher M. , Smith Jeannina A. , Parajuli Sandesh , Mandelbrot Didier A. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractPurposeDescribe use and predictive potential of an intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) cytomegalovirus cell‐mediated immunity (CMV CMI) assay and a risk factor screening tool on CMV reactivation in a real‐world clinical setting and compare this to serologically demonstrated immunity by CMV IGG.MethodsAdult transplant patients at our center with the ICS assay resulted between 10/1/2018 and 9/1/2019 were included. Assays were considered positive per manufacturer specifications.ResultsTwenty‐five patients underwent ICS CMV CMI testing at our institution during the study period. The majority were kidney transplant recipients, 76% were D+/R−, and 76% were receiving CMV treatment. The positive predictive value (PPV) of the assay to predict lack of CMV was 87%; 93% when patients with antiviral resistance were excluded and 91% in only those receiving treatment. The presence of ≤2 clinical risk factors on the screening tool had a PPV of 92% in predicting lack of recurrence. In comparison, serologically demonstrated immunity by CMV IGG had a PPV of 62%.ConclusionsIn our study representing real‐world clinical use, the ICS CMV CMI assay and the risk factor screening tool had predictive potential that was superior to serologically demonstrated immunity. The reliability of the assay seemed to decrease with higher degrees of clinical risk suggesting a multimodal screening approach is warranted.
Polymyxin B‐induced skin hyperpigmentation
Authors: Li Yumeng M. , Milikowski Clara , Selvaggi Gennaro , Abbo Lillian M. , Skiada Dimitra , Galimberti Fabrizio 
Published: May 2020

AbstractPolymyxin B (PMB) is a potent antibiotic targeting gram‐negative bacteria and is associated with serious side effects including nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and hypersensitivity reactions. PMB is a therapeutic option for the management of infections caused by multi‐drug‐resistant (MDR) bacteria and used in combination with other antibiotics when options are limited. We describe the case of a 30‐year‐old female patient with a complex medical history who underwent a multi‐visceral transplantation complicated by intra‐abdominal infections. Subsequently, patient developed diffuse skin darkening after initiation of intravenous PMB for treatment of MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Her skin hyperpigmentation was most prominent on her face and forearms. Hyperpigmentation peaked at around 2 weeks following PMB initiation and was discontinued after 3 weeks when the possibility of PMB hyperpigmentation was raised and other causes were ruled out. Skin biopsy showed hypermelanosis of the basal layer and melanin deposition in the dermis. Overall clinical picture was consistent with PMB‐induced hyperpigmentation. The patient demonstrated some improvement in discoloration within 4 weeks of PMB discontinuation.
Mycobacterium haemophilum skin and soft tissue infection in a kidney transplant recipient: A case report and summary of the literature
Authors: Jurairattanaporn Natthachat , Vachiramon Vasanop , Bruminhent Jackrapong 
Published: May 2020

AbstractNon‐tuberculous mycobacteria are ubiquitous pathogens causing infections in immunocompromised patients. Here, we describe a kidney transplant recipient who developed skin and soft tissue infection by Mycobacterium haemophilum, complicated by tenosynovitis and fluid collection, following an injury sustained to her right foot. Her immunosuppressant dose was reduced, and she underwent prolonged antimicrobial therapy followed by surgical debridement with a favorable outcome. Non‐tuberculous mycobacteria should be considered as a potential etiology of subacute skin and soft tissue infections.
Persistent BK polyomavirus‐DNAemia may warrant cystoscopy to rule out urologic carcinoma: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Prom Alyson , Jorgenson Margaret , Alagusundaramoorthy Sayee , Parajuli Sandesh 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThere is minimal literature describing the clinical workup of patients with persistent BKPyV‐DNAemia despite aggressive immunosuppressive reduction. We present a case herein of persistent BKPyV‐DNAemia with significant discordance of BK viruria level in a kidney transplant recipient found to have bladder carcinoma. Based on our findings, we recommend evaluating the urine of patients with persistent BKPyV‐DNAemia for BK viruria. If there is significant discordance in the level of BKPyV‐DNAemia and viruria, cystoscopy should be pursued to rule out bladder or uroepithelial malignancies.
Macrolide‐resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in transplantation: Increasingly typical?
Authors: Eschenauer Gregory A. , Xiao Li , Waites Ken B. , Crabb Donna M. , Ratliff Amy E. , Gandhi Tejal N. , Riddell James , Kaul Daniel R 
Published: May 2020

AbstractMycoplasma pneumoniae is one of the most common bacterial causes of pneumonia. Macrolide‐resistant M pneumoniae (MRMP) was documented in 7.5% of isolates in the United States. Resistance portends poor outcomes to macrolide therapy, yet patients respond well to fluoroquinolones or tetracyclines such as minocycline. However, MRMP may be under‐appreciated because M pneumoniae generally causes relatively mild infections in non‐immunosuppressed adults that may resolve without effective therapy and because microbiological confirmation and susceptibility are not routinely performed. We report two cases of pneumonia due to MRMP in kidney transplant recipients. Both patients required hospital admission, worsened on macrolide therapy, and rapidly defervesced on doxycycline or levofloxacin. In one case, M pneumoniae was only identified by multiplex respiratory pathogen panel analysis of BAL fluid. Macrolide resistance was confirmed in both cases by real‐time PCR and point mutations associated with macrolide resistance were identified. M pneumoniae was isolated from both cases, and molecular genotyping revealed the same genotype. In conclusion, clinicians should be aware of the potential for macrolide resistance in M pneumoniae, and may consider non‐macrolide‐based therapy for confirmed or non‐responding infections in patients who are immunocompromised or hospitalized.
Ethyl glucuronide, a marker of alcohol consumption, correlates with metabolic markers of oxidant stress but not with hemolysis in stored red blood cells from healthy blood donors
Authors: D'Alessandro Angelo , Fu Xiaoyun , Reisz Julie A. , Stone Mars , Kleinman Steve , Zimring James C. , Busch Michael ,   for the Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study‐III (REDS III)
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUNDRed blood cell (RBC) storage in the blood bank is associated with the progressive accumulation of oxidant stress. While the mature erythrocyte is well equipped to cope with such stress, recreative habits like alcohol consumption may further exacerbate the basal level of oxidant stress and contribute to the progress of the storage lesion.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSRBC levels of ethyl glucuronide, a marker of alcohol consumption, were measured via ultra‐high‐pressure liquid chromatography coupled with high‐resolution mass spectrometry. Analyses were performed on 599 samples from the recalled donor population at Storage Days 10, 23, and 42 (n = 250), as part of the REDS‐III RBC‐Omics (Recipient Epidemiology Donor Evaluation Study III Red Blood Cell‐Omics) study. This cohort consisted of the 5th and 95th percentile of donors with extreme hemolytic propensity out of the original cohort of 13,403 subjects enrolled in the REDS‐III RBC Omics study. Ehtyl glucuronide levels were thus correlated to global metabolomics and lipidomics analyses and RBC hemolytic propensity.RESULTSEthyl glucuronide levels were positively associated with oxidant stress markers, including glutathione consumption and turnover, methionine oxidation, S‐adenosylhomocysteine accumulation, purine oxidation, and transamination markers. Decreases in glycolysis and energy metabolism, the pentose phosphate pathway and ascorbate system were observed in those subjects with the highest levels of ethyl glucuronide, though hemolysis values were comparable between groups.CONCLUSIONThough preliminary, this study is suggestive that markers of alcohol consumption are associated with increases in oxidant stress and decreases in energy metabolism with no significant impact on hemolytic parameters in stored RBCs from healthy donor volunteers.
Developments and translational relevance for the canine haematopoietic cell transplantation preclinical model
Authors: Graves Scott S. , Storb Rainer 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe development of safe and reliable haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) protocols to treat human patients with malignant and non‐malignant blood disorders was highly influenced by preclinical studies obtained in random‐bred canines. The surmounted barriers included recognizing the crucial importance of histocompatibility matching, establishing long‐term donor haematopoietic cell engraftment, preventing graft‐vs‐host disease and advancing effective conditioning and post‐grafting immunosuppression protocols, all of which were evaluated in canines. Recent studies have applied the tolerance inducing potential of HCT to solid organ and vascularized composite tissue transplantation. Several advances in HCT and tolerance induction that were first developed in the canine preclinical model and subsequently applied to human patients are now being recruited into veterinary practice for the treatment of malignant and non‐malignant disorders in companion dogs. Here, we review recent HCT advancements attained in the canine model during the past 15 years.
Efficacy of adjunctive therapy using Vizoovet in improving clinical signs of keratoconjunctivitis sicca in dogs: A pilot study
Authors: Dees D. Dustin , Kent Michael S. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the clinical safety and efficacy of adjunctive therapy using Vizoovet to ameliorate clinical signs of keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) in dogs.Animals studiedTwenty client‐owned dogs.ProceduresCanine patients diagnosed with KCS were enrolled in this prospective study. Patients were randomly selected to receive either Vizoovet or GenTeal drops twice daily in addition to twice daily tacrolimus 0.03% solution. Data were collected from only one eye of each patient and included STT‐1, IOP, TFBUT, and results of objective clinical scoring performed by pet owners. Statistical significance was set atP ≤ .05.ResultsIn all, 20 dogs (20 eyes) were enrolled in this prospective randomized study. Females (n = 12; 60%) outnumbered males (n = 8; 40%) and all dogs were spayed/neutered. Mean age of all dogs was 10.6 ± 3.79 years. In both treatment groups, the improvement in STT‐1 values over the course of the study was significant (P = .002). When comparing the STT‐1 improvements between groups, no significance was found (P = .78). In both groups, the improvement in TFBUT was significant (P = .0018). When comparing the TFBUT improvements between groups, no significance was found (P = .14). Squinting, rubbing, ocular discharge, and medication administration scores all significantly improved throughout the course of the study; however, they did not differ significantly between groups. Throughout the study, no adverse side effects were noted clinically or by the pet owner in either group.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceAdjunctive treatment with Vizoovet was as safe and effective as GenTeal drops at improving clinical signs of dry eye in dogs.
One‐year safety, healing and amputation rates of Wagner 3‐4 diabetic foot ulcers treated with cryopreserved umbilical cord (TTAX01)
Authors: Marston William A. , Lantis John C. , Wu Stephanie C. , Nouvong Aksone , Clements John Randolph , Lee Tommy D. , McCoy Nicholas D. , Slade Herbert B. , Tseng Scheffer C. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAn open label, multicenter 16‐week trial of cryopreserved human umbilical cord (TTAX01) was previously undertaken in 32 subjects presenting with a Wagner grade 3 or 4 diabetic foot ulcer, with 16 (50%) of these having confirmed closure following a median of one product application (previous study). All but two subjects (30/32; 94%) consented to participate in this follow‐up study to 1‐year postexposure. No restrictions were placed on treatments for open wounds. At 8‐week intervals, subjects were evaluated for adverse events (AEs) and wound status (open or closed). Average time from initial exposure to end of follow‐up was 378 days (range 343‐433), with 29 of 30 (97%) subjects completing a full year. AEs were all typical for the population under study, and none were attributed to prior exposure to TTAX01. One previously healed wound re‐opened, one previously unconfirmed closed wound remained healed, and nine new wound closures occurred, giving 25 of 29 (86.2%) healed in the ITT population. Three of the new closures followed the use of various tissue‐based products. Three subjects whose wounds were healed required subsequent minor amputations due to osteomyelitis, one of which progressed to a major amputation (1/29; 3.4%). One additional subject underwent two minor amputations prior to healing. Overall, the study found TTAX01 to be safe in long‐term follow‐up and associated with both a low rate of major amputation and a higher than expected rates of healing.
Three-dimensional model of a mushwad and its implications for the evolution of an Appalachian subrecess in northwestern Georgia
Authors: Cook* Brian S. , Thomas William A. 
Published: May 2020

ABSTRACT
In a well-defined subrecess in the Appalachian thrust belt in northwestern Georgia, two distinct fold trains intersect at ~50° in the down-plunge depression of the Floyd synclinorium. A mushwad (ductile duplex) of tectonically thickened weak-layer rocks (primarily the shale-dominated Cambrian Conasauga Formation) filled the space beneath folds and faults of the overlying Cambrian–Ordovician regional stiff layer (mushwad roof). Measurements of the mushwad thickness from balanced cross sections provide the basis for three-dimensional (3-D) models. Tectonically thickened weak-layer shales in a model using a simple line-length balance of the stiff layer have a volume of ~64% of the volume in the deformed-state model, indicating that this balanced reconstruction is not appropriate. Previous work demonstrated deposition of a thick mud-dominated succession in a basement graben to balance the volume. A 3-D model incorporating a thick Conasauga Formation shale succession deposited in a basement graben yields good correspondence to the deformed-state mushwad volume. That model requires vertical separation on the graben boundary faults greater than the present small-magnitude separation; unconformable truncation of the upper part of the Cambrian–Ordovician carbonate succession documents Ordovician inversion of the graben boundary faults. In the 3-D models, the distribution of thickness in the deformed state suggests movement of weak-layer shale out of the planes of cross sections and up plunge away from the structural depression of the Floyd synclinorium. Out-of-plane tectonic translation is consistent with a relatively uniform depositional thickness of ~800 m, which allows calculation of the magnitude of vertical separation on basement faults during Conasauga Formation deposition.
Clinical relevance of the in situ assay for HBV DNA: a cross-sectional study in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Liu Danping , Xu Tong , Shi Bisheng , Lu Wei , Zheng Ye , Feng Yanling , Yuan Zhenghong , Zhang Xiaonan , Zhang Zhanqing 
Published: May 2020

AimsThe visualisation of HBV DNA in liver sections of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in our previous report uncovered a mosaic distribution of viral antigens and nucleic acids. Here we aim to further explore the clinical utility of the in situ hybridisation (ISH) assay for HBV DNA.MethodISH of HBV DNA along with immunohistochemistry (IHC) of HBsAg, HBcAg and routine histopathology analysis was performed in 313 treatment-naive patients with CHB. Serum HBcrAg and HBcAb titre were also measured in addition to basic biochemical and virological parameters.ResultsThe ISH of HBV DNA, HBsAg and HBcAg showed 95.2%, 97.1% and 42.8% positive rate, respectively. The staining pattern of HBV DNA differs significantly with that of HBsAg. Intrahepatic HBV DNA exhibited high-level of correlations with viral load, HBcrAg and HBsAg titre. In HBeAg-negative patients, higher intrahepatic HBV DNA is associated with histological evidence of liver inflammation and fibrosis, whereas no such trend was observed in HBeAg-positive patients. Finally, a triple staining protocol that combined the detection of HBV DNA, HBsAg and collagen fibre was developed to enable better evaluation of viral replication and antigen expression in the context of disease progression.ConclusionsThe ISH assay for HBV DNA reflects the vigour of intrahepatic viral replication. It is complementary to the routine IHC assay for viral antigens and also related to the histopathological progression of liver diseases. The application of the HBV DNA ISH assay may help a better evaluation of virological and pathological condition of patients with CHB.