bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Last Year of Life Study Cologne (LYOL-C): protocol for a cross-sectional mixed methods study to examine care trajectories and transitions in the last year of life until death
Authors: Strupp Julia , Hanke Gloria , Schippel Nicolas , Pfaff Holger , Karbach Ute , Rietz Christian , Voltz Raymond 
Published: April 2018

IntroductionThe last year of life constitutes a particularly vulnerable phase for patients, involving nearly all health and social care structures. Yet, little scientific evidence is available that provides insight into the trajectories including the number and types of care setting transitions, transitions into palliative care and the dying phase. Only few studies have focused on difficulties associated with having to move between health and social care settings in the last year of life, although patients face a significant risk of adverse events. The Last Year of Life Study Cologne (LYOL-C) aims to fill this gap.Methods and analysisLYOL-C is a mixed-methods study composed of four steps: (1) Claims data collected by the statutory health insurance funds of deceased persons will be analysed with regard to patient care trajectories, health service transitions and costs in the last year of life. (2) Patient trajectories and transitions in healthcare will additionally be reconstructed by analysing the retrospective accounts of bereaved relatives (n=400) using a culturally adapted version of the Views of Informal Carers—Evaluation of Services Short Form questionnaire and the Patient Assessment of Care for Chronic Conditions Short Form questionnaire adapted for relatives. (3) Qualitative interviews with bereaved relatives (n=40–60) will provide in-depth insight into reasons for transitions and effects on patients’ quality of life. (4) Focus groups (n=3–5) with Healthcare Professionals will be conducted to discuss challenges associated with transitions in the last year of life.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been obtained from the Ethics Commission of the Faculty of Medicine of Cologne University (#17–188). Results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences.Trial registration numberThe study is registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00011925) and in the Health Services Research Database (VfD_CoRe-Net_17_003806).
Understanding students’ and clinicians’ experiences of informal interprofessional workplace learning: an Australian qualitative study
Authors: Rees Charlotte E , Crampton Paul , Kent Fiona , Brown Ted , Hood Kerry , Leech Michelle , Newton Jennifer , Storr Michael , Williams Brett 
Published: April 2018

ObjectivesWhile postgraduate studies have begun to shed light on informal interprofessional workplace learning, studies with preregistration learners have typically focused on formal and structured work-based learning. The current study investigated preregistration students’ informal interprofessional workplace learning by exploring students’ and clinicians’ experiences of interprofessional student-clinician (IPSC) interactions.DesignA qualitative interview study using narrative techniques was conducted.SettingStudent placements across multiple clinical sites in Victoria, Australia.ParticipantsThrough maximum variation sampling, 61 participants (38 students and 23 clinicians) were recruited from six professions (medicine, midwifery, nursing, occupational therapy, paramedicine and physiotherapy).MethodsWe conducted 12 group and 10 individual semistructured interviews. Themes were identified through framework analysis, and the similarities and differences in subthemes by participant group were interrogated.ResultsSix themes relating to four research questions were identified: (1) conceptualisations of IPSC interactions; (2) context for interaction experiences; (3) the nature of interaction experiences; (4) factors contributing to positive or negative interactions; (5) positive or negative consequences of interactions and (6) suggested improvements for IPSC interactions. Seven noteworthy differences in subthemes between students and clinicians and across the professions were identified.ConclusionsDespite the results largely supporting previous postgraduate research, the findings illustrate greater breadth and depth of understandings, experiences and suggestions for preregistration education. Educators and students are encouraged to seek opportunities for informal interprofessional learning afforded by the workplace.
Role of patient and public involvement in implementation research: a consensus study
Authors: Gray-Burrows Kara A , Willis Thomas A , Foy Robbie , Rathfelder Martin , Bland Pauline , Chin Allison , Hodgson Susan , Ibegbuna Gus , Prestwich Graham , Samuel Kirsty , Wood Laurence , Yaqoob Farhat , McEachan Rosemary R C 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundPatient and public involvement (PPI) is often an essential requirement for research funding. Distinctions can be drawn between clinical research, which generally focuses on patients, and implementation research, which generally focuses on health professional behaviour. There is uncertainty about the role of PPI in this latter field. We explored and defined the roles of PPI in implementation research to inform relevant good practice guidance.MethodsWe used a structured consensus process using a convenience sample panel of nine experienced PPI and two researcher members. We drew on available literature to identify 21 PPI research roles. The panel rated their agreement with roles independently online in relation to both implementation and clinical research. Disagreements were discussed at a face-to-face meeting prior to a second online rating of all roles. Median scores were calculated and a final meeting held to review findings and consider recommendations.ResultsTen panellists completed the consensus process. For clinical research, there was strong support and consensus for the role of PPI throughout most of the research process. For implementation research, there were eight roles with consensus and strong support, seven roles with consensus but weaker support and six roles with no consensus. There were more disagreements relating to PPI roles in implementation research compared with clinical research. PPI was rated as contributing less to the design and management of implementation research than for clinical research.ConclusionsThe roles of PPI need to be tailored according to the nature of research to ensure authentic and appropriate involvement. We provide a framework to guide the planning, conduct and reporting of PPI in implementation research, and encourage further research to evaluate its use.
Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir with or without ribavirin for 8 or 12 weeks for the treatment of HCV genotype 4 infection: results from a randomised phase III study in Egypt
Authors: Shiha Gamal , Esmat Gamal , Hassany Mohamed , Soliman Reham , Elbasiony Mohamed , Fouad Rabab , Elsharkawy Aisha , Hammad Radi , Abdel-Razek Wael , Zakareya Talaat , Kersey Kathryn , Massetto Benedetta , Osinusi Anu , Lu Sophia , Brainard Diana M , McHutchison John G , Waked Imam , Doss Wahid 
Published: April 2018

ObjectiveWe evaluated the efficacy and safety of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir alone and with ribavirin for 8 and 12 weeks in Egyptian patients with and without cirrhosis, who were infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 4, including those who had failed previous treatment with sofosbuvir regimens.DesignIn this open-label, multicentre, phase III study, treatment-naive patients were randomised to receive 8 or 12 weeks of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir±ribavirin. Interferon treatment-experienced patients were randomised to receive 12 weeks of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir±ribavirin, while sofosbuvir-experienced or ledipasvir/sofosbuvir-experienced patients received 12 weeks of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir+ribavirin. Randomisation was stratified by cirrhosis status. The primary endpoint was sustained virological response 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR12).ResultsWe enrolled 255 patients from four centres in Egypt. Among treatment-naive patients, SVR12 rates were 95% and 90% for those receiving 8 weeks of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir alone and with ribavirin, respectively, and 98% for those receiving 12 weeks of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir both alone and with ribavirin. Among interferon-experienced patients, SVR rates were 94% for those receiving 12 weeks of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir and 100% for those receiving 12 weeks of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir plus ribavirin. All patients previously treated with sofosbuvir regimens who received ledipasvir/sofosbuvir plus ribavirin achieved SVR12. The most common adverse events, headache and fatigue, were more common among patients receiving ribavirin.ConclusionAmong non-cirrhotic treatment-naive patients with HCV genotype 4, 8 weeks of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir±ribavirin was highly effective. Twelve weeks of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir±ribavirin was highly effective regardless of presence of cirrhosis or prior treatment experience, including previous treatment with sofosbuvir or ledipasvir/sofosbuvir.Trial registration numberNCT02487030.
CD30 expression and its correlation with MYC and BCL2 in de novo diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Gong Qi-Xing , Wang Zhen , Liu Chong , Li Xiao , Lu Ting-Xun , Liang Jin-Hua , Xu Wei , Li Jian-Yong , Zhang Zhi-Hong 
Published: April 2018

AimCD30+ diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has emerged as a new immunophenotypic variant ofde novoDLBCLs. However, the prevalence of CD30 positivity is variable according to different studies, and the prognostic significance of CD30 is also controversial. This study aimed to investigate the positive expression rate and prognostic impact of CD30 inde novoDLBCLs and try to find the correlated influences.MethodsA total of 241 patients withde novoDLBCL in east China from 2008 to 2015 were included to investigate the prevalence, clinicopathological features and outcomes of CD30+de novoDLBCLs. Immunohistochemical evaluation for CD10, CD30, BCL2, BCL6, MUM1/IRF4, MYC and Ki67, and fluorescence in situ hybridisation for MYC and BCL2 gene alterations were performed.ResultsUsing a >0% threshold, CD30 expression was detected in approximately 10% patient withde novoDLBCL. These predominately presented with centroblastic or anaplastic morphological patterns, less frequently showing immunoblastic morphology or ‘starry sky’ pattern, mutually exclusive with MYC gene rearrangement, and negatively associated with BCL2 protein expression. CD30 expression was associated with a favourable prognosis of patients’ outcomes. However, the multivariate analysis revealed that it was not an independent prognostic factor inde novoDLBCLs. The impact of CD30 might be influenced by the international prognostic index and the expression of MYC and BCL2 proteins.ConclusionCD30+ DLBCL may be a subset ofde novoDLBCLs with characteristic clinicopathological features, but the prognostic role of CD30 is limited.
Taurine supplementation for prevention of stroke-like episodes in MELAS: a multicentre, open-label, 52-week phase III trial
Authors: Ohsawa Yutaka , Hagiwara Hiroki , Nishimatsu Shin-ichiro , Hirakawa Akihiro , Kamimura Naomi , Ohtsubo Hideaki , Fukai Yuta , Murakami Tatsufumi , Koga Yasutoshi , Goto Yu-ichi , Ohta Shigeo , Sunada Yoshihide 
Published: April 2018

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of high-dose taurine supplementation for prevention of stroke-like episodes of MELAS (mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes), a rare genetic disorder caused by point mutations in the mitochondrial DNA that lead to a taurine modification defect at the first anticodon nucleotide of mitochondrial tRNALeu(UUR), resulting in failure to decode codons accurately.MethodsAfter the nationwide survey of MELAS, we conducted a multicentre, open-label, phase III trial in which 10 patients with recurrent stroke-like episodes received high-dose taurine (9 g or 12 g per day) for 52 weeks. The primary endpoint was the complete prevention of stroke-like episodes during the evaluation period. The taurine modification rate of mitochondrial tRNALeu(UUR)was measured before and after the trial.ResultsThe proportion of patients who reached the primary endpoint (100% responder rate) was 60% (95% CI 26.2% to 87.8%). The 50% responder rate, that is, the number of patients achieving a 50% or greater reduction in frequency of stroke-like episodes, was 80% (95% CI 44.4% to 97.5%). Taurine reduced the annual relapse rate of stroke-like episodes from 2.22 to 0.72 (P=0.001). Five patients showed a significant increase in the taurine modification of mitochondrial tRNALeu(UUR)from peripheral blood leukocytes (P<0.05). No severe adverse events were associated with taurine.ConclusionsThe current study demonstrates that oral taurine supplementation can effectively reduce the recurrence of stroke-like episodes and increase taurine modification in mitochondrial tRNALeu(UUR)in MELAS.Trial registration numberUMIN000011908.
Accuracy of image-guided percutaneous injection into a phantom spinal cord utilizing flat panel detector CT with MR fusion and integrated navigational software
Authors: Talbott Jason F , Cooke Daniel L , Mabray Marc C , Larson Paul S , Amans Matthew R , Hetts Steven W , Wilson Mark W , Moore Terilyn , Salegio Ernesto A 
Published: April 2018

PurposeTo evaluate the accuracy of percutaneous fluoroscopic injection into the spinal cord of a spine phantom utilizing integrated navigational guidance from fused flat panel detector CT (FDCT) and MR datasets. Conventional and convection-enhanced delivery (CED) techniques were evaluated.Materials and methodsFDCT and MR datasets of a swine thoracic spine phantom were co-registered using an integrated guidance system and surface to spinal cord target trajectory planning was performed on the fused images. Under real-time fluoroscopic guidance with pre-planned trajectory overlay, spinal cord targets were accessed via a coaxial technique. Final needle tip position was compared with a pre-determined target on 10 independent passes. In a subset of cases, contrast was injected into the central spinal cord with a 25G spinal needle or customized 200 µm inner diameter step design cannula for CED.ResultsAverage needle tip deviation from target measured 0.92±0.5 mm in the transverse, 0.47±0.4 mm in the anterior-posterior, and 1.67±1.2 mm in the craniocaudal dimension for an absolute distance error of 2.12±1.12 mm. CED resulted in elliptical intramedullary diffusion of contrast compared with primary reflux observed with standard needle injection.ConclusionsThese phantom feasibility data demonstrate a minimally invasive percutaneous approach for targeted injection into the spinal cord utilizing real-time fluoroscopy aided by overlay trajectories derived from fused MRI and FDCT data sets with a target error of 2.1 mm. Intramedullary diffusion of injectate in the spinal cord is facilitated with CED compared with standard injection technique. Pre-clinical studies in large animal models are warranted.
Geothermal resources of the North German Basin: exploration strategy, development examples and remaining opportunities in Mesozoic hydrothermal reservoirs
Authors: Franz Matthias , Barth Gregor , Zimmermann Jens , Budach Ingmar , Nowak Kerstin , Wolfgramm Markus 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

The North German Basin yields enormous geothermal resources of more than 13 000 EJ (exajoule: 1 EJ = 1 × 10
18
J) heat in place bound to Paleozoic petrothermal and Mesozoic hydrothermal reservoirs. So far, these resources are only exploited at a few localities. Thus, geothermal energy is considered an underutilized energy resource. Despite long-term experience in exploiting Rhaetian hydrothermal reservoirs, the exploration risk remains high, which is mainly related to high expectations on reservoir thickness and quality. Previous exploration campaigns have identified potential hydrothermal reservoirs in six Mesozoic reservoir complexes. But, as high-resolution subsurface maps are not available, the reliable prediction and targeting of reservoirs remains an unsolved problem.

As such, an exploration strategy integrating methods of sedimentology, palaeontology, petrography and reservoir characterization was applied to a large database of cores and wireline logs. This contribution details the key results of the exploration of Upper Keuper and Middle Jurassic reservoir complexes, including high-resolution subsurface facies, sandstone thickness and reservoir quality maps. Sets of these maps enable the reliable prediction and targeting of individual hydrothermal reservoirs, and, thus, make a significant contribution to a lowered exploration risk.
Interaction between mantle-derived magma and lower arc crust: quantitative reactive melt flow modelling using STyx
Authors: Riel Nicolas , Bouilhol Pierre , van Hunen Jeroen , Cornet Julien , Magni Valentina , Grigorova Vili , Velic Mirko 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

The magmatic processes occurring in the lowermost arc crust play a major role in the evolution of mantle-wedge-derived melt. Geological evidence indicates that mantle-derived magmas and
in-situ
products of lower crust partial melting are reacting in a pervasive melt system and are eventually extracted towards higher levels of the crust. Resolving the relative contribution of mantle-derived magma and partial melting products of pre-existing crust is essential to: (1) quantify crustal growth rate; (2) better understand the compositional range of arc magmatic series; and (3) constrain the chemical differentiation of the lower crust. In this study, we present STyx, a new modelling tool, coupling melt and heat flow with petrology to explore the dynamics of storage, transfer and hybridization of melts in complex liquid/rock systems. We perform three models representing a magmatic event affecting an amphibolitic lower arc crust in order to quantify the relative contribution between partial melting of the pre-existing crust and fractional crystallization from mantle-derived hydrous-magma. Our models demonstrate that most of the differentiated arc crust is juvenile, deriving from the differentiation of mantle melts, and that pre-existing crust does not significantly contribute to the total thickness of magmatic products.
Tectonic control over exhumation in the Arunachal Himalaya: new constraints from Apatite Fission Track Analysis
Authors: Adlakha Vikas , Patel R. C. , Kumar Akhil , Lal Nand 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

New apatite fission track (AFT) ages have been obtained from a synformal nappe of the Higher Himalayan Crystallines emplaced over the Lesser Himalayan metasedimentary zone of the Arunachal Himalaya, India. The AFT cooling ages within the nappe range between 5.0 ± 0.8 and 14.4 ± 1.3 Ma. Modelled exhumation rates calculated from these cooling ages vary from 0.25 ± 0.12 to 0.69 ± 0.25 mm a
−1
, which indicates slow exhumation since the Middle to Late Miocene. The AFT cooling ages are younging on both the northern and southern flanks of the synform and the oldest ages are confined to the core. The close mimicking of a shallow crustal exhumation pattern with the synformal structure suggests a strong control of the development of the synform on the exhumation path of the rocks and hence a tectonics–exhumation linkage in the central Arunachal Himalaya. Comparison of these AFT ages with the regional thermochronological record of the Eastern Himalaya reflects a variation in exhumation rates with strike. The AFT age pattern in the central Arunachal Himalaya does not match the pattern of precipitation, which suggests an absence of climate-driven tectonic deformation via focused erosion.
Invariance Principle on the Slice
Authors: Filmus Yuval , Kindler Guy , Mossel Elchanan , Wimmer Karl 
Published: April 2018

The non-linear invariance principle of Mossel, O’Donnell, and Oleszkiewicz establishes that if
f
(
x
1
,… ,
x

n

) is a multilinear low-degree polynomial with low influences, then the distribution of if
f
(
b
1
,…,
b

n

) is close (in various senses) to the distribution of
f
(
G
1
,…,
G

n

), where
B
i
∈
R
{-1,1} are independent Bernoulli random variables and
G
i
∼ N(0,1) are independent standard Gaussians. The invariance principle has seen many applications in theoretical computer science, including the
Majority is Stablest
conjecture, which shows that the Goemans–Williamson algorithm for MAX-CUT is optimal under the Unique Games Conjecture.

More generally, MOO’s invariance principle works for any two vectors of hypercontractive random variables (
X
1
,… ,
X

n

),(
Y
1
,… ,
Y

n

) such that (i)
Matching moments
:
X

i

and
Y

i

have matching first and second moments and (ii)
Independence
: the variables
X
1
,… ,
X

n

are independent, as are
Y
1
,…,
Y

n

.

The independence condition is crucial to the proof of the theorem, yet in some cases we would like to use distributions
X
1
,… ,
X

n

in which the individual coordinates are not independent. A common example is the uniform distribution on the
slice
(

[
n
]

k

) which consists of all vectors (
x
1
,…,
x

n

)∈{0,1}

n

with Hamming weight
k
. The slice shows up in theoretical computer science (hardness amplification, direct sum testing), extremal combinatorics (Erdős–Ko–Rado theorems), and coding theory (in the guise of the Johnson association scheme).

Our main result is an invariance principle in which (
X
1
,…,
X

n

) is the uniform distribution on a slice (

[
n
]

pn

and (
Y
1
,… ,
Y

n

) consists either of
n
independent Ber(
p
) random variables, or of
n
independent N(
p
,
p
(1-
p
)) random variables. As applications, we prove a version of
Majority is Stablest
for functions on the slice, a version of Bourgain’s tail theorem, a version of the Kindler–Safra structural theorem, and a stability version of the
t
-intersecting Erdős–Ko–Rado theorem, combining techniques of Wilson and Friedgut.

Our proof relies on a combination of ideas from analysis and probability, algebra, and combinatorics. In particular, we make essential use of recent work of the first author which describes an explicit Fourier basis for the slice.
Horizontal and Vertical Scaling of Cloud Geometry Inferred from CloudSat Data
Authors: Guillaume A. , Kahn B. H. , Yue Q. , Fetzer E. J. , Wong S. , Manipon G. J. , Hua H. , Wilson B. D. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA method is described to characterize the scale dependence of cloud chord length using cloud-type classification reported with the 94-GHz CloudSat radar. The cloud length along the CloudSat track is quantified using horizontal and vertical structures of cloud classification separately for each cloud type and for all clouds independent of cloud type. While the individual cloud types do not follow a clear power-law behavior as a function of horizontal or vertical scale, a robust power-law scaling of cloud chord length is observed when cloud type is not considered. The exponent of horizontal length is approximated by β ≈ 1.66 ± 0.00 across two orders of magnitude (~10–1000 km). The exponent of vertical thickness is approximated by β ≈ 2.23 ± 0.03 in excess of one order of magnitude (~1–14 km). These exponents are in agreement with previous studies using numerical models, satellites, dropsondes, and in situ aircraft observations. These differences in horizontal and vertical cloud scaling are consistent with scaling of temperature and horizontal wind in the horizontal dimension and with scaling of buoyancy flux in the vertical dimension. The observed scale dependence should serve as a guide to test and evaluate scale-cognizant climate and weather numerical prediction models.