bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Case for Economic Development Through Sovereign Investment: A Paradox of Scarcity?
Authors: Schena Patrick J. , Braunstein Juergen , Ali Asim 
Published: April 2018

AbstractSovereign wealth funds (SWFs) have traditionally been created to recycle excess reserves from natural resource or non‐commodity revenues. However, in recent years funds are being established under conditions of capital scarcity with objectives to contribute domestic economic development, often through the buildout of national infrastructure programs. Such trends in new fund creation represent a fundamental shift in the sovereign wealth fund paradigm and raise serious questions about how these entities are to be capitalized and also the implications of capitalization models on their sustainability. This study examines the recent evolution of SWF models focused on economic development. Its analytic focus is drawn, in particular, to countries that are neither endowed with oil wealth, nor otherwise enjoy export surpluses to be used to capitalize a development‐oriented SWF. While this study is relevant to and expands the scope of the broad literature on SWFs, its specific contribution is as a focused analysis of how SWF funding sources impact achieving long‐term financial and socio‐economic development objectives.
Emergency Physician Interpretation of Point‐of‐care Ultrasound for Identifying and Grading of Hydronephrosis in Renal Colic Compared With Consensus Interpretation by Emergency Radiologists
Authors: Pathan Sameer A. , Mitra Biswadev , Mirza Salman , Momin Umais , Ahmed Zahoor , Andraous Lubna G. , Shukla Dharmesh , Shariff Mohammed Y. , Makki Magid M. , George Tinsy T. , Khan Saad S. , Thomas Stephen H. , Cameron Peter A. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractObjectiveThe ability of emergency physicians (EPs) to identify hydronephrosis using point‐of‐care ultrasound (POCUS) has been assessed in the past using computed tomography (CT) scans as the reference standard. We aimed to determine the ability of EPs to identify and grade hydronephrosis on POCUS using the consensus interpretation of POCUS by emergency radiologists as the reference standard.MethodsThe study was conducted at an urban academic emergency department (ED) as a secondary analysis of previously collected ultrasound data from the EP‐performed POCUS databank. Patients were eligible for inclusion if they had both POCUS and CT scanning performed during the index ED visit. Two board‐certified emergency radiologists and six EPs interpreted each POCUS study independently. The interpretations were compared with the consensus interpretation by emergency radiologists. Additionally, the POCUS interpretations were also compared with the corresponding CT findings. Institutional approval was obtained for conducting this study. All the analyses were performed using Stata MP 14.0 (StataCorp).ResultsA total of 651 patient image‐data sets were eligible for inclusion in this study. Hydronephrosis was reported in 69.6% of POCUS examinations by radiologists and 72.7% of CT scans (p = 0.22). Using the consensus radiology interpretation of POCUS as the reference standard, EPs had an overall sensitivity of 85.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 84.3%–87.0%), specificity of 65.9% (95% CI = 63.1%–68.7%), positive likelihood ratio of 2.5 (95% CI = 2.3–2.7), and negative likelihood ratio of 0.22 (95% CI = 0.19–0.24) for hydronephrosis. When using CT scan as the reference standard, the EPs had an overall sensitivity of 81.1% (95% CI = 79.6% to 82.5%), specificity of 59.4% (95% CI = 56.4%–62.5%), positive likelihood ratio of 2.0 (95% CI = 1.8–2.2), and negative likelihood ratio of 0.32 (95% CI = 0.29–0.35) for hydronephrosis. The specificity of EPs was improved to 94.6% (95% CI = 93.7%–95.4%) for categorizing the degree of hydronephrosis as “moderate or severe” versus “none or mild,” with positive likelihood ratio of 6.33 (95% CI = 5.3–7.5) and negative likelihood ratio of 0.69 (95% CI = 0.66–0.73).ConclusionsEmergency physicians were found to have moderate to high sensitivity for identifying hydronephrosis on POCUS when compared with the consensus interpretation of the same studies by emergency radiologists. These POCUS findings by EPs produced more definitive results when at least moderate degree of hydronephrosis was present.
Revision of the Hermetiinae of Australia (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)
Authors: Lessard Bryan D , Yeates David K , Woodley Norman E 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA taxonomic treatment is provided for the Australian fauna of the soldier fly subfamily Hermetiinae, including a diagnosis of the subfamily based on the Australian fauna, a key to the two genera found in Australia, and a key to Australian species of Hermetia Latreille, 1804. The Australian fauna is illustrated and revised, including the redescription and selection of a lectotype for Hermetia pallidipes Hill, 1919, and description of the new species Hermetia hauseri Lessard & Woodley, sp. nov. and Hermetia olympiae Lessard & Woodley, sp. nov. A new monotypic genus, ApisomyIa Woodley & Lessard, gen. nov., is described, based on ApisomyIa bathae Woodley & Lessard, sp. nov. Six genera are now recognised in the Hermetiinae, with two genera and five species known from Australia. [Correction added on 31 January 2019: Genus “Apisomya” and type species “Apisomya bathae” have been corrected to “Apisomyla” and “Apisomyla bathae” respectively in the abstract.]
Genome‐wide association study of lncRNA polymorphisms with bone mineral density
Authors: Zeng Qin , Wu Ke‐Hao , Liu Kun , Hu Yuan , Chen Xiang‐Ding , Zhang Lei , Shen Hui , Tian Qin , Zhao Lan‐Juan , Deng Hong‐Wen , Tan Li‐Jun 
Published: April 2018

AbstractRecent studies suggested that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) were widely transcribed in the genome, but their potential roles in the genetic complexity of human disorders required further exploration. The purpose of the present study was to explore genetic polymorphisms of lncRNAs associated with bone mineral density (BMD) and its potential value. Based on the lncRNASNP database, 55,906 lncSNPs were selected to conduct a genome‐wide association study meta‐analysis among 11,140 individuals of seven independent studies for BMDs at femoral neck (FN), lumbar spine, and total hip (HIP). Promising results were replicated in Genetic Factors for Osteoporosis Consortium (GEFOS Sequencing, n = 32,965).We found two lncRNA loci that were significantly associated with BMD. MEF2C antisense RNA 1 (MEF2C‐AS1) located at 5q14.3 was significantly associated with FN‐BMD after Bonferroni correction, and the strongest association signal was detected at rs6894139 (P = 3.03 × 10−9). LOC100506136 rs6465531 located at 7q21.3 showed significant association with HIP‐BMD (P = 7.43 × 10−7). MEF2C‐AS1 rs6894139 was replicated in GEFOS Sequencing with P‐value of 1.43 × 10−23. Our results illustrated the important role of polymorphisms in lncRNAs in determining variations of BMD and provided justification and evidence for subsequent functional studies.
Preliminary efficacy and tolerability of chemohormonal therapy in metastatic hormone‐naïve prostate cancer: The first real‐life experience in Asia
Authors: Poon Darren M. C. , Chan Tim , Chan Kuen , Chan Michelle , Lee Eric K. C. , Law Kitty , Lam Daisy 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIntroductionA substantial survival benefit with chemohormonal therapy has been proven by the CHAARTED and STAMPEDE studies, and this clinical approach has emerged as the standard of care for patients with metastatic hormone‐naïve prostate cancer (mHSPC). However, because its clinical efficacy and tolerability in Asian patients remains uncertain, this study aims to evaluate preliminary results of its use in Hong Kong.MethodsThe clinical records of mHSPC patients treated with chemohormonal therapy from all six public oncology centers in Hong Kong between January 2015 and July 2016 were reviewed. Time to castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), treatment‐related complications, prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) response and the time to PSA nadir were assessed.ResultsA total of 32 patients (median age, 66 years) were treated with chemohormonal therapy in the review period. After median follow‐up time of 11.4 months, the median time to CRPC and time to PSA nadir were 19.5 months and 7 months, respectively. PSA response (>50% drop in PSA level from baseline) was achieved in all patients and the median maximal PSA response was 99.6%. The rates of grade 3 or 4 febrile neutropenia, neutropenia and anemia were 12.5%, 40.6% and 3.1%, respectively.ConclusionEarly efficacy with chemohormonal therapy in Asian mHSPC patients was comparable to the pivotal study and biochemical response is promising. The high frequency of hematologic toxicities in Asian patients highlights the importance of proper patient selection and pre‐emptive use of granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor.
Network centrality and performance of social enterprises: Government certified social enterprises in Seoul, South Korea
Authors: Bae Junghee , Cho Heung Seek , Caplan Mary Ager 
Published: April 2018

Social enterprises, which have been dramatically increasing all over the world for several decades, are facing the challenge of how best to develop strategies to improve performance and achieve sustainable growth. In South Korea, the government has supported active networking among social enterprises as a tactic for overcoming insufficient material and human resources. However, it is unclear whether active networking activities among social enterprises are associated with higher performance. In this study, a network survey of certified social enterprises (n = 78) in Seoul, South Korea was conducted. Multivariate regression models examined whether degree centrality, closeness centrality, and betweenness centrality were associated with the economic and social performance of social enterprises after controlling for organizational factors. The results revealed that a social enterprise with higher degree centrality in the network of regular meetings achieved higher social and economic performance.
A role for astrocyte‐derived amyloid β peptides in the degeneration of neurons in an animal model of temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Kodam A. , Ourdev D. , Maulik M. , Hariharakrishnan J. , Banerjee M. , Wang Y. , Kar S. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractKainic acid, an analogue of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, can trigger seizures and neurotoxicity in the hippocampus and other limbic structures in a manner that mirrors the neuropathology of human temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). However, the underlying mechanisms associated with the neurotoxicity remain unclear. Since amyloid‐β (Aβ) peptides, which are critical in the development of Alzheimer's disease, can mediate toxicity by activating glutamatergic NMDA receptors, it is likely that the enhanced glutamatergic transmission that renders hippocampal neurons vulnerable to kainic acid treatment may involve Aβ peptides. Thus, we seek to establish what role Aβ plays in kainic acid‐induced toxicity using in vivo and in vitro paradigms. Our results show that systemic injection of kainic acid to adult rats triggers seizures, gliosis and loss of hippocampal neurons, along with increased levels/processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP), resulting in the enhanced production of Aβ‐related peptides. The changes in APP levels/processing were evident primarily in activated astrocytes, implying a role for astrocytic Aβ in kainic acid‐induced toxicity. Accordingly, we showed that treating rat primary cultured astrocytes with kainic acid can lead to increased Aβ production/secretion without any compromise in cell viability. Additionally, we revealed that kainic acid reduces neuronal viability more in neuronal/astrocyte co‐cultures than in pure neuronal culture, and this is attenuated by precluding Aβ production. Collectively, these results indicate that increased production/secretion of Aβ‐related peptides from activated astrocytes can contribute to neurotoxicity in kainic acid‐treated rats. Since kainic acid administration can lead to neuropathological changes resembling TLE, it is likely that APP/Aβ peptides derived from astrocytes may have a role in TLE pathogenesis.
Increased killer B cells in chronic HCV infection may lead to autoimmunity and increased viral load
Authors: Eiza N , Zuckerman E , Carlebach M , Rainis T , Goldberg Y , Vadasz Z 
Published: April 2018

Summary
Regulatory B (Breg) cells are characterized by various membrane markers and the secretion of different inhibitory cytokines. A new subset of Breg cells was identified as CD5hi Fas-ligand (FasL)hi. Their main reported role is to suppress anti-viral and anti-tumour immune responses, and, hence they have been dubbed ‘killer’ B cells. In this study, we aim to assess the role of these cells in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and determine if they contribute to the increased viral load and persistence of HCV and its related autoimmunity. (i) FasL expression on CD5hi B cells is increased significantly in HCV-infected patients compared to healthy individuals [28·06 ± 6·71 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) ± standard error of the mean (s.e.m.), median = 27·9 versus 10·87 ± 3·97 MFI ± s.e.m., median = 10·3, respectively, P &lt; 0·0001]. (ii) Killer B cells from HCV patients increased autologous CD4+ T cell apoptosis compared to the apoptosis in healthy individuals [39·17% ± 7·18% mean ± standard deviation (s.d.), median = 39·6 versus 25·92 ± 8·65%, mean ± s.d., median = 24·1%, P &lt; 0·0001, respectively]. A similar increase was observed in CD8+ T cell apoptosis (54·67 ± 15·49% mean ± s.d., median = 57·3 versus 21·07% ± 7·4%, mean ± s.d., median = 20%, P = 0·0006, respectively). (iii) By neutralizing FasL with monoclonal anti-FasL antibodies, we have shown that the induction of apoptosis by killer B cells is FasL-dependent. (iv) Increased expression of FasL on CD5hi B cells is correlated positively with an increased viral load and the presence of anti-nuclear antibodies and rheumatoid factor in HCV. This is the first study in which killer B cells have been suggested to play a pathogenic role in HCV. They seem to be involved in HCV's ability to escape efficient immune responses.
Suicidal ideation in lung transplant recipients: A case series
Authors: Rynar Lauren Z. , Merchant Mekhala S. , Dilling Daniel F. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackgroundSuicidality, a term referring to suicidal ideation and/or suicide attempts, has been understudied in lung transplant recipients, despite the well‐documented period of high stress following transplantation. Understanding the full clinical picture of psychiatric morbidity before and after lung transplant is vital to supporting survival.MethodsSuicidality among lung transplant recipients was examined through case studies of 5 lung transplant recipients at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago, IL. Medical records were reviewed for demographic and psychosocial variables during the pre‐ and post‐transplant periods to identify common factors.ResultsPatients presented with suicidal ideation within the first 2 years of receiving lung transplantation; 4 of 5 endorsed a plan and/or intent to act and 2 made suicide attempts. Pretransplant prescription medication mismanagement, pretransplant depression or anxiety, and post‐transplant depression and anxiety were each present in at least 3 of 5 cases and appeared related to the development of suicidality. Social support issues were also prominent, including changes in available supports, interpersonal distress, and social isolation or lack of support.ConclusionPatients presenting with psychiatric comorbidities or limited social support at any phase of the lung transplant process should be monitored closely. This case report draws into focus the need for systematic and ongoing psychological evaluation following lung transplantation.
Continuous glucose monitoring results in lower HbA1c in Malaysian women with insulin‐treated gestational diabetes: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Paramasivam S. S. , Chinna K. , Singh A. K. K. , Ratnasingam J. , Ibrahim L. , Lim L. L. , Tan A. T. B. , Chan S. P. , Tan P. C. , Omar S. Z. , Bilous R. W. , Vethakkan S. R. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAimsTo determine if therapeutic, retrospective continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) improves HbA1c with less hypoglycaemia in women with insulin‐treated gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).MethodsThis prospective, randomized controlled, open‐label trial evaluated 50 women with insulin‐treated GDM randomized to either retrospective CGM (6‐day sensor) at 28, 32 and 36 weeks’ gestation (Group 1, CGM, n = 25) or usual antenatal care without CGM (Group 2, control, n = 25). All women performed seven‐point capillary blood glucose (CBG) profiles at least 3 days per week and recorded hypoglycaemic events (symptomatic and asymptomatic CBG < 3.5 mmol/l; non‐fasting < 4.0 mmol/l). HbA1c was measured at 28, 33 and 37 weeks. In Group 1, both CGM and CBG data were used to manage diabetes, whereas mothers in Group 2 were managed based on CBG data alone.ResultsBaseline characteristics (age, pre‐pregnancy BMI, HbA1c, total insulin dose) were similar between groups. There was a lower increase in HbA1c from 28 to 37 weeks’ gestation in the CGM group [∆HbA1c: CGM + 1 mmol/mol (0.09%), control + 3mmol/mol (0.30%); P = 0.024]. Mean HbA1c remained unchanged throughout the trial in the CGM group, but increased significantly in controls as pregnancy advanced. Mean HbA1c in the CGM group was lower at 37 weeks compared with controls [33 ± 4 mmol/mol (5.2 ± 0.4%) vs. 38 ± 7 mmol/mol (5.6 ± 0.6%), P < 0.006]. Some 92% of the CGM group achieved an HbA1c ≤ 39 mmol/mol (≤ 5.8%) at 37 weeks compared with 68% of the control group (P = 0.012). Neither group experienced severe hypoglycaemia.ConclusionCGM use may be beneficial in insulin‐treated GDM because it improves HbA1c compared with usual antenatal care without increasing severe hypoglycaemia. (Clinical Trials Registry No.: NCT02204657).
Prophylactic therapy with omeprazole for prevention of equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) in horses in active training: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Mason L. V. , Moroney J. R. , Mason R. J. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryBackgroundGuidelines regarding the impact and value of prophylaxis or maintenance therapy in equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) are not well‐established or defined. The merits and the magnitude of effects of prophylaxis for spontaneous or recurrent squamous gastric ulceration in horses in training are uncertain.ObjectivesTo pool data from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to eliminate reporting bias and evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic omeprazole in the prevention ofEGUSin training horses, and secondarily to compare prophylactic dosages of omeprazole.Study designMeta‐analysis.MethodsThis meta‐analysis was conducted according to the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A systematic literature search identifiedRCTs comparing omeprazole prophylaxis with sham in prevention ofEGUS. Data were analysed using the Mantel–Haenszel test method to calculate risk ratio (RR) or mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Primary outcome was efficacy of prophylaxis. Secondary outcome was endoscopic severity of ulceration. The influence of study characteristics on the outcomes was examined by subgroup analyses.ResultsIn preventing gastric ulcer occurrence, omeprazole prophylaxis was superior to sham in training horses (7 trials, 566 horses,RR0.28, 95%CI0.18–0.43; 23.4% in omeprazole prophylaxis vs. 77.2% in sham; high quality evidence). Prevalence of ulceration was 75.3 and 87.2% in the sham arms of the 1 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg omeprazole groups, respectively. Severity scores were significantly lower for omeprazole vs. sham (mean difference [MD] −1.05; 95%CI−1.35 to −0.69). Subgroup analyses comparing prophylactic omeprazole dosages resulted in a mean difference of −0.94 and −1.60 for the 1 and 2 mg/kg groups, respectively.Main limitationsStudies showed heterogeneity with regard to prophylactic dose.ConclusionsOmeprazole prophylaxis in active training horses significantly reduces gastric ulceration compared with no prophylaxis (sham) with the absolute effect of 566 fewer ulcers per 1000 horses treated.
Non‐proportional size scaling of strength of concrete in uniaxial and biaxial loading conditions
Authors: Qian G. , Zhai J. , Yu Z. , Lei W.‐S. , Wu W. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA procedure for non‐proportional size scaling of the strength of concrete based on the weakest‐link statistics is proposed to synchronize strength data from specimens of different geometries and different loading modes. The procedure relies on proportional size scaling of strength to determine the parameters of the statistical model and often on finite element analysis to calculate the coefficient of the equivalent strength. The approach for non‐proportional size scaling is capable to synchronize the uniaxial strength data of concrete from uniaxial tensile specimens and 3‐point bending specimens, or the biaxial tensile strength data of circular plates in different loading mode. The non‐transference of the uniaxial strength data to the biaxial strength data is unclear in its mechanism but possibly due to the variation of statistical distribution of microcracks with stress states in different specimens.
Novel method for the fatigue strength assessment of heavy sections made by ductile cast iron in presence of solidification defects
Authors: Borsato T. , Ferro P. , Berto F. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe fatigue strength of ferritic, pearlitic, and solution strengthened ferritic ductile irons taken from heavy sections and characterized by long solidification times has been assessed. Starting from the idea of Murakami and co‐workers, a new model for the prediction of the fatigue strength is proposed. It allows a sound fatigue assessment of the fatigue strength of as‐cast ductile irons containing solidification defects, such as low nodule count, exploded, chunky and spiky graphite, or microshrinkage porosities. The newly developed equation validated by means of an extensive benchmarking with data taken from the literature has shown a very high potential for applications to thick‐walled components.
Crack tip field in eccentric circumferentially cracked round bar (CCRB) under tensile loading
Authors: Toribio J. , González B. , Matos J.‐C. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIn this paper, the stress intensity factor (SIF) is computed in a circumferentially cracked round bar (CCRB) subjected to applied tensile load or to imposed axial displacement, considering that the resistant ligament is circular and exhibits certain eccentricity in relation to the cylinder axis. The computation was performed by means of the finite element method, using a 3‐dimensional model and the J‐integral, the analyzed variables being the diameter and the eccentricity of the circular ligament. Results show that the SIF value is higher at the deepest point of the crack. For a given ligament diameter, an increase of ligament eccentricity (in relation to the bar axis) raises the difference between the SIF values at those points of the crack associated with the maximum and minimum depth. Furthermore, the maximum SIF value is higher for applied tensile load than for imposed axial displacement, mainly for high eccentricities and small diameters of the ligament, as a consequence of a greater rotation of the bar.