bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does antenatal micronutrient supplementation improve children’s cognitive function? Evidence from the follow-up of a double-blind randomised controlled trial in Nepal
Authors: Dulal Sophiya , Liégeois Frédérique , Osrin David , Kuczynski Adam , Manandhar Dharma S , Shrestha Bhim P , Sen Aman , Saville Naomi , Devakumar Delan , Prost Audrey 
Published: March 2018

IntroductionMultiple Micronutrient (MMN) supplementation during pregnancy can decrease the proportion of infants born low birth weight and small for gestational age. Supplementation could also enhance children’s cognitive function by improving access to key nutrients during fetal brain development and increasing birth weight, especially in areas where undernutrition is common. We tested the hypothesis that children whose mothers received MMN supplementation during pregnancy would have higher intelligence in early adolescence compared with those receiving Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) only.MethodsWe followed up children in Nepal, whose mothers took part in a double-blind Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) that compared the effects on birth weight and gestational duration of antenatal MMN versus IFA supplementation. We assessed children’s Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) using the Universal Non-verbal Intelligence Test (UNIT), and their executive function using the counting Stroop test. The parent trial was registered asISRCTN88625934.ResultsWe identified 813 (76%) of the 1069 children whose mothers took part in the parent trial. We found no differences in FSIQ at 12 years between MMN and IFA groups (absolute difference in means (diff): 1.25, 95% CI −0.57 to 3.06). Similarly, there were no differences in mean UNIT memory (diff: 1.41, 95% CI −0.48 to 3.30), reasoning (diff: 1.17, 95% CI −0.72 to 3.06), symbolic (diff: 0.97, 95% CI −0.67 to 2.60) or non-symbolic quotients (diff: 1.39, 95% CI −0.60 to 3.38).ConclusionOur follow-up of a double-blind RCT in Nepal found no evidence of benefit from antenatal MMN compared with IFA for children’s overall intelligence and executive function at 12 years.
Is Textbook Outcome a valuable composite measure for short-term outcomes of gastrointestinal treatments in the Netherlands using hospital information system data?A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Salet Nèwel , Bremmer Rolf H , Verhagen Marc A M T , Ekkelenkamp Vivian E , Hansen Bettina E , de Jonge Pieter J F , de Man Rob A 
Published: March 2018

ObjectiveTo develop a feasible model for monitoring short-term outcome of clinical care trajectories for hospitals in the Netherlands using data obtained from hospital information systems for identifying hospital variation.Study designRetrospective analysis of collected data from hospital information systems combined with clinical indicator definitions to define and compare short-term outcomes for three gastrointestinal pathways using the concept of Textbook Outcome.Setting62 Dutch hospitals.Participants45 848 unique gastrointestinal patients discharged in 2015.Main outcome measureA broad range of clinical outcomes including length of stay, reintervention, readmission and doctor–patient counselling.ResultsPatients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for gallstone disease (n=4369), colonoscopy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; n=19 330) and colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening (n=22 149) were submitted to five suitable clinical indicators per treatment. The percentage of all patients who met all five criteria was 54%±9% (SD) for ERCP treatment. For IBD this was 47%±7% of the patients, and for colon cancer screening this number was 85%±14%.ConclusionThis study shows that reusing data obtained from hospital information systems combined with clinical indicator definitions can be used to express short-term outcomes using the concept of Textbook Outcome without any excess registration. This information can provide meaningful insight into the clinical care trajectory on the level of individual patient care. Furthermore, this concept can be applied to many clinical trajectories within gastroenterology and beyond for monitoring and improving the clinical pathway and outcome for patients.
Audit of HIV counselling and testing services among primary healthcare facilities in Cameroon: a protocol for a multicentre national cross-sectional study
Authors: Tianyi Frank-Leonel , Tochie Joel Noutakdie , Agbor Valirie Ndip , Kadia Benjamin Momo 
Published: March 2018

IntroductionHIV testing is an invaluable entry point to prevention, care and treatment services for people living with HIV and AIDS. Poor adherence to recommended protocols and guidelines reduces the performance of rapid diagnostic tests, leading to misdiagnosis and poor estimation of HIV seroprevalence. This study seeks to evaluate the adherence of primary healthcare facilities in Cameroon to recommended HIV counselling and testing (HCT) procedures and the impact this may have on the reliability of HIV test results.Methods and analysisThis will be an analytical cross-sectional study involving primary healthcare facilities from all the 10 regions of Cameroon, selected by a multistaged random sampling of primary care facilities in each region. The study will last for 9 months. A structured questionnaire will be used to collect general information concerning the health facility, laboratory and other departments involved in the HCT process. The investigators will directly observe at least 10 HIV testing processes in each facility and fill out the checklist accordingly.Ethics and disseminationClearance has been obtained from the National Ethical Committee to carry out the study. Informed consent will be sought from the patients to observe the HIV testing process. The final study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and the findings presented to health policy-makers and the general public.
Visualisation of facet joint recesses of the cadaveric spine: a micro-CT and sheet plastination study
Authors: Thorpe Lowis Casper G , Xu Zhaoyang , Zhang Ming 
Published: March 2018

ObjectivesThe size and shape of a joint cavity are the key determinates for the mobility of the joint. The anatomy and configuration of the facet joint (FJ) recesses at different levels of the spine remain unclear and controversial. The aim of this study was to identify the configuration of the FJ recesses in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine using a combination of micro-CT and sheet plastination techniques.MethodsOf 19 cadavers (9 males, 10 females, age range of 54–89 years), the FJ cavities of 3 spines were injected with contrast filling and scanned with micro-CT, and 16 plastinated spines were prepared as the series of sagittal (9 sets), transverse (5 sets) or coronal (2 sets) sections with a thickness of 2.5 mm and examined under a stereoscopic microscope.ResultsThis study characterised the FJ spaces and recesses of the spine and found that (1) the configuration and extent of the FJ recesses varied along the spine. The optimal needle approach to the FJ cavity was via an anterolateral or posterolateral recess at the cervical level, along the tip of the inferior articular process at the thoracic level and via the posteromedial recess at the lumbar level. (2) The FJ cavity did not communicate with the retrodural space.ConclusionThe anatomical features of the FJ recesses at different levels of the spine confirm no direct communication between the FJ cavity and retrodural space.
Association between glucocorticoid therapy and incidence of diabetes mellitus in polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lai Lana Yin Hui , Harris Emma , West Robert M , Mackie Sarah Louise 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundPolymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) are almost always treated with glucocorticoids (GCs), but long-term GC use is associated with diabetes mellitus (DM). The absolute incidence of this complication in this patient group remains unclear.ObjectiveTo quantify the absolute risk of GC-induced DM in PMR and GCA from published literature.MethodsWe identified literature from inception to February 2017 reporting diabetes following exposure to oral GC in patients with PMR and/or GCA without pre-existing diabetes. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to summarise the findings.Results25 eligible publications were identified. In studies of patients with GCA, mean cumulative GC dose was almost 1.5 times higher than in studies of PMR (8.2 g vs 5.6 g), with slightly longer treatment duration and longer duration of follow-up (6.4 years vs 4.4 years). The incidence proportion (cumulative incidence) of patients who developed new-onset DM was 6% (95% CI 3% to 9%) for PMR and 13% (95% CI 9% to 17%) for GCA. Based on UK data on incidence rate of DM in the general population, the expected background incidence rate of DM over 4.4 years in patients with PMR and 6.4 years in patients with GCA (follow-up duration) would be 4.8% and 7.0%, respectively. Heterogeneity between studies was high (I2=79.1%), as there were differences in study designs, patient population, geographical locations and treatment. Little information on predictors of DM was found.ConclusionOur meta-analysis produced plausible estimates of DM incidence in patients with PMR and GCA, but there is insufficient published data to allow precise quantification of DM risk.
Effect of strain on the electronic structure and optical properties of germanium
Authors: Wen Shumin , Zhao Chunwang , Li Jijun , Hou Qingyu 
Published: March 2018

The effects of biaxial strain parallel to the (001) plane on the electronic structures and optical properties of Ge are calculated using the first-principles plane-wave pseudopotential method based on density functional theory. The screened-exchange local-density approximation function was used to obtain more reliable band structures, while strain was changed from −4% to [Formula: see text]4%. The results show that the bandgap of Ge decreases with the increase of strain. Ge becomes a direct-bandgap semiconductor when the tensile strain reaches to 2%, which is in good agreement with the experimental results. The density of electron states of strained Ge becomes more localized. The tensile strain can increase the static dielectric constant distinctly, whereas the compressive strain can decrease the static dielectric constant slightly. The strain makes the absorption band edge move toward low energy. Both the tensile strain and compressive strain can significantly increase the reflectivity in the range from 7 eV to 14 eV. The tensile strain can decrease the optical conductivity, but the compressive strain can increase the optical conductivity significantly.
Pressure-induced phase transition in titanium alloys
Authors: Murugeswari R. , Rajeswarapalanichamy R. , Benial A. Milton Franklin 
Published: March 2018

The structural, elastic, magnetic and electronic properties of titanium-based ferromagnetic (FM) TiX (X = Fe, Co, Ni) alloys are investigated by the first principles calculations based on density functional theory using the Vienna ab initio simulation code. At ambient pressure, all the three alloys TiFe, TiCo and TiNi are highly stable in CsCl structure. The calculated lattice parameters and ground state properties are in good agreement with the available theoretical and experimental results. The density of states explains that these alloys possess the metallic nature at normal and high pressures. A pressure-induced structural phase transitions from CsCl to NaCl phase at 46 GPa and NaCl to ZB phase at 49 GPa in TiFe, CsCl to ZB phase in TiCo at 52 GPa, CsCl to hexagonal phase at 22 GPa and hexagonal to ZB phase at 66 GPa in TiNi are observed. The calculated Debye temperatures of TiX (X = Fe, Co, Ni) alloys are in good agreement with earlier reports. Binding energy shows that the TiCo is the most stable alloy. The magnetic property of TiX (X = Fe, Co, Ni) alloys reveals that TiFe is stable in nonmagnetic phase and the other two alloys, TiCo and TiNi, are stable in FM phase at normal pressure.
The Existence and Bifurcation of Peakon and Anti-Peakon to the n-Degree b-Equation
Authors: Yang Jiaopeng , Li Zongguang , Liu Zhengrong 
Published: March 2018

In this paper, we study the existence and bifurcation of peakon and anti-peakon to the [Formula: see text]-degree [Formula: see text]-equation with [Formula: see text] and positive integer [Formula: see text]. Using qualitative theory and bifurcation method of dynamical systems, for positive wave speed we confirm the following properties: (1) When [Formula: see text], the equation has peakon, but no anti-peakon. (2) When [Formula: see text], the equation has not only peakon but also anti-peakon. There is a bifurcation wave speed for peakon and anti-peakon. (3) When [Formula: see text] is even, there exists a maximum wave speed for peakon. (4) When [Formula: see text] is odd, there is no maximum wave speed for peakon.
Bandits with Knapsacks
Authors: Badanidiyuru Ashwinkumar , Kleinberg Robert , Slivkins Aleksandrs 
Published: March 2018

Multi-armed bandit problems are the predominant theoretical model of exploration-exploitation tradeoffs in learning, and they have countless applications ranging from medical trials, to communication networks, to Web search and advertising. In many of these application domains, the learner may be constrained by one or more supply (or budget) limits, in addition to the customary limitation on the time horizon. The literature lacks a general model encompassing these sorts of problems. We introduce such a model, calledbandits with knapsacks, that combines bandit learning with aspects of stochastic integer programming. In particular, a bandit algorithm needs to solve a stochastic version of the well-knownknapsack problem, which is concerned with packing items into a limited-size knapsack. A distinctive feature of our problem, in comparison to the existing regret-minimization literature, is that the optimal policy for a given latent distribution may significantly outperform the policy that plays the optimal fixed arm. Consequently, achieving sublinear regret in the bandits-with-knapsacks problem is significantly more challenging than in conventional bandit problems.We present two algorithms whose reward is close to the information-theoretic optimum: one is based on a novel “balanced exploration” paradigm, while the other is a primal-dual algorithm that uses multiplicative updates. Further, we prove that the regret achieved by both algorithms is optimal up to polylogarithmic factors. We illustrate the generality of the problem by presenting applications in a number of different domains, including electronic commerce, routing, and scheduling. As one example of a concrete application, we consider the problem of dynamic posted pricing with limited supply and obtain the first algorithm whose regret, with respect to the optimal dynamic policy, is sublinear in the supply.
Card-Stunt as a Service
Authors: Yoo Chungkuk , Hwang Inseok , Kang Seungwoo , Kim Myung-Chul , Kim Seonghoon , Won Daeyoung , Gu Yu , Song Junehwa 
Published: March 2018

Excerpted from "Card-stunt as a Service: Empowering a Massively Packed Crowd for Instant Collective Expressiveness" from MobiSys 2017, Proceedings of the 15th Annual ACM International Conference on Mobile Systems, Applications, and Services, with permission. https://dl.acm.org/ citation.cfm?id=3081357 © ACM 2017.
Imagine a densely packed crowd with a common voice, such as people in a candlelight vigil or a protest. We envision an innovation through mobile computing technologies to empower such crowds. We present Card-stunt as a Service (CaaS), a mobile service allowing them to instantly create a massive collective visualization by simply holding their phones up. The key challenge is to achieve instant, infrastructurefree, decimeter-level localization of individuals in a massively packed crowd, within a low latency. CaaS addresses the challenges by mobile visible-light sensing and scalable constrained optimization. Within less than a minute, each person is given individualized pixels so that they can do their part in the overall visualization*.
Left Ventricular Torsion Associated With Aortic Stiffness in Hypertension
Authors: Gnakamene Jean‐Barthelemy , Safar Michel E. , Levy Bernard I. , Escoubet Brigitte 
Published: March 2018

Background
Left ventricular (LV) torsion plays a key role in cardiac efficiency. In hypertension, aortic stiffening augments cardiac afterload. However, little is known about the links between LV regional contraction and aortic stiffness. We, therefore, investigated these relationships and their contribution to LV diastolic function.

Methods and Results

The study included normotensive and hypertensive individuals with normal LV ejection. Apical, basal, and global LV rotation rate and LV global longitudinal strain were measured (2‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography). Aortic stiffness was calculated from carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity, and LV relaxation was calculated from early diastolic mitral annulus motion. The ratio of basal or apical untwist/twist rates was calculated to assess relationships between aortic stiffness and LV torsion parameters. LV twist and untwist rates were greater in hypertensive than normotensive individuals because of increased basal twist (
P
<0.001) and untwist (
P
<0.001) rates. LV relaxation was reduced (early diastolic mitral annulus motion=7.4±1.9 versus 10.4±2.3 cm/s;
P
<0.001). In the whole population, basal untwist rate increased with aortic stiffening (
R
=0.43;
P
<0.001) and LV relaxation (
R
=0.41;
P
=0.001). The ratio of basal untwist/twist rate was positively correlated with carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity, and in the hypertensive group, was greater than in the control group and positively correlated to carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity(
P
<0.001). Results were independent of age, treatment, mean blood pressure, and indexed LV mass.

Conclusions
In hypertensive individuals, greater basal LV torsion was associated with increased aortic stiffness and improved diastolic function. These changes may compensate for the deleterious effects of aortic stiffening on LV relaxation.
In Search of the Sharīʿah
Authors: Farooq Mohammad Omar , El-Ghattis Nedal 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
The centrality of Sharīʿah as a term and concept, together with its ubiquitous usage, reflects present Muslim understanding of their religion. Existing research indicates this Sharīʿah-based conception represents a later historical development. However, earlier studies have not documented contemporary understanding and use of the term in the primary sources of Islam. This has important implications regarding the imparting of sacredness according to its traditional conceptualization. Based on comprehensive research and close examination of the Hadith literature in particular, this represents the first work to examine whether and to what extent the term Sharīʿah was used by the Prophet and his companions. The present investigation makes the case for fundamentally re-evaluating the role of the Sharīʿah in understanding Islam, and argues that this is necessary in order for a positive impact on contemporary Muslim societies and their relationship with the rest of the world to occur.
Constitutionality of Article VII of the New York Convention of 1958 under Egyptian and Jordanian Law
Authors: Daradkeh Lafi 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
This article examines the constitutionality of Article VII of the 1958 New York Convention (NY Convention) under Egyptian and Jordanian law. Under Article VII, which provides for the application of the more-favourable-right provision, the winning party in an arbitration can rely on any regime provided by the local legal system to recognize and enforce the arbitral award. In doing so, the winning party can bypass provisions under which the losing party can resist enforcement. This article examines whether Article VII constitutionally provides modes of enforcement by which the winning party can enforce a legal arbitral award as well as providing grounds of refusal by which the losing party can resist enforcement of illegal awards. As such, this article examines the constitutionality of Article VII, and asks whether it balances the interests of the winning party and the losing party under constitutional law in Egypt and Jordan.
Three new species of Parapercis (Perciformes: Pinguipedidae) and first records of P. muronis (Tanaka, 1918) and P. rubromaculata Ho, Chang &amp; Shao, 2012 from Australia
Authors: JOHNSON JEFFREY W. , WILMER JESSICA WORTHINGTON 
Published: March 2018

Three new species of pinguipedid fishes from northern Australia are described based on specimens collected by deep water demersal trawling. Parapercis algrahami sp. nov. is recorded from off Dunk Island, Qld, south to Newcastle, NSW, in 67–333 m. It is distinct in having five narrow transverse dark bars across the upper body and a dark spot dorsally on the caudal-fin base, 6 canine teeth in outer row at front of lower jaw, palatines with 1–2 rows of teeth, and predorsal scales extending far forward on the nape to the posterior portion of the interorbital region. Parapercis imamurai sp. nov. is recorded from off Saumarez Reef, Qld, south to off Coffs Harbour, NSW, in 256–405 m. It is unique in having colouration that includes a broad dusky bar from lower margin of eye across the suborbital region and three broad dusky bands crossing the body between the middle of the soft dorsal-fin and the caudal-fin base, 10 canine teeth in outer row at front of lower jaw, and the fifth dorsal-fin spine longest. Parapercis pogonoskii sp. nov. is unique in having a combination of three reddish-brown vertical bars on the upper body between the anterior and posterior portions of the soft dorsal fin, the soft dorsal fin with two large dusky blotches and caudal-fin base with a dusky blotch in the upper corner, 8–10 canine teeth in outer row at front of lower jaw, fifth dorsal-fin spine longest, angle of subopercle with a single broad spine, and angle of preopercle with 4–5 large widely-separated spines. Comparison of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO 1) genetic marker utilised in DNA barcoding produced significant genetic divergences of at least 8.1% and 14.1% between P. algrahami sp. nov. and P. pogonoskii sp. nov. respectively and their closest sampled congeners. The geographic range of Parapercis rubromaculata Ho, Chang & Shao, 2012 is extended from Taiwan to the southern hemisphere waters off Western Australia, based on specimens collected from Shark Bay, north to Ashmore Terrace, in depths of 56–107 m. A revised diagnosis for the species is presented, meristic, morphometric and DNA barcoding data for the two populations are compared, and a detailed description of the colouration of fresh and preserved specimens from Australia is provided. Previous records of Parapercis macrophthalma (Pietschmann, 1911) from Western Australia are established as misidentifications of Parapercis muronis (Tanaka, 1918) and the latter is thereby confirmed from the southern hemisphere and Australian waters for the first time. Comparative meristic, morphometric and DNA barcoding data is provided for populations of P. muronis from Japan, Philippines and Western Australia.