bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Incidence of pseudophakic cystoid macular edema in eyes with and without pupil expansion device
Authors: Taipale Claudia , Holmström Emil J. , Ilveskoski Lotta , Tuuminen Raimo 
Published: December 2018

AbstractPurposeNovel pupil expansion devices are widely recognized for their intraoperative feasibility in safe small pupil cataract surgeries. To assess whether the use of pupil expansion devices affects recovery from cataract surgery.MethodsA post hoc analysis of five consecutive prospective randomized clinical trials. 536 eyes of 536 patients undergoing routine cataract surgery were analysed according to the use of pupil expansion device. Thirty‐four eyes were operated with pupil expansion device and 502 eyes without. Clinical outcome parameters were recorded at 28 days and 3 months.ResultsPatient age and gender distribution, and baseline clinical outcome parameters were comparable between study groups. Pseudoexfoliation syndrome, glaucoma and medication for benign prostatic hyperplasia were more frequently present; phacoemulsification energy was higher and operation time longer in eyes with pupil expansion device. At 28 days, aqueous flare increased by 12.0 ± 25.1 pu/mseconds and mean central subfield macular thickness by 16.2 ± 24.4 μm in eyes with pupil expansion device, when compared to 4.6 ± 14.8 pu/mseconds (p = 0.015) and 7.0 ± 33.9 μm (p = 0.064) in eyes without the device. At 3‐month follow‐up, clinically significant pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (PCME) was reported in 12% of eyes with pupil expansion device and in 2% of eyes without (p = 0.006). After adjusting for the presence of confounding factors, hazard for clinically significant PCME was greater in eyes with pupil expansion device than in those without (HR 5.41, 95% CI 1.35–21.71, p = 0.017).ConclusionsThe use of pupil expansion device may predispose eyes to increased risk of clinically significant PCME. Effective anti‐inflammatory treatment and follow‐up are warranted in eyes with pupil expansion device.
Accurate prediction of anti‐phagocytic activity of Vibrio vulnificus by measurement of bacterial adherence to hydrocarbonsPrediction of Anti‐Phagocytic Activity
Authors: Kado Takehiro , Kashimoto Takashige , Yamazaki Kohei , Matsuda Kaho , Ueno Shunji 
Published: December 2018

Vibrio vulnificus can cause necrotizing soft tissue infection via exposure through an open wound, and the incubation period in cases of wound infection is only about 16 h. These facts strongly suggest that mechanisms to evade innate immune cell phagocytosis are essential for its pathogenicity. Hydrophobic interaction is one of the binding mechanisms between bacteria and phagocytes. Several factors that maintain cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) can contribute to anti‐phagocytic activity. In this study, we tried to identify V. vulnificus genes involved in maintaining the CSH, in order to elucidate mechanisms of anti‐phagocytic activity. We obtained 143 mutants that had lost their ability to proliferate in the host, using signature‐tagged transposon basis mutagenesis (STM). The CSH of these mutants was measured by the bacterial adherence to hydrocarbons (BATH) assay. The CSH of only four mutants differed significantly from that of wild type (WT). Of these four mutants, degS mutant (degS::Tn) showed lesser anti‐phagocytic activity than WT in the opsonophagocytosis assay, even though degS::Tn showed opaque‐type colonies. Furthermore, survival times of mice subcutaneously inoculated with degS::Tn were prolonged. These facts indicated that the BATH assay is a more suitable method of analyzing the anti‐phagocytic activity of V. vulnificus than the comparison of colony morphology.
Ecology and fluvial dynamics of an Early Holocene medium‐sized European lowland river valley (Upper Scheldt, northern Belgium)
Authors: Storme Annelies , Bastiaens Jan , Crombé Philippe , Debruyne Sofie , Louwye Stephen , Deforce Koen 
Published: December 2018

The fluvial environment of Early Holocene small‐ to middle‐sized lowland rivers in northwest Europe is mostly unstudied due to a lack of preserved and accessible deposits. A rescue excavation in the Scheldt valley in northern Belgium offered the opportunity to study a Boreal alluvial succession in detail. The results of palaeoecological and sedimentological analyses (diatoms, pollen, botanical macro‐remains, molluscs, grain size) characterize the biotic and physical environment in the middle reach of this medium‐sized river system. Although the Early Holocene in the Scheldt Basin has often been portrayed as a period of fluvial stability with marshy conditions and diffuse discharge, this study showed evidence of point bar formation by a small, low‐energy meandering river between ~9.5 and ~8.8 cal. ka BP. The point bar was at least temporarily vegetated and shows a shift from herbaceous riparian vegetation to an open willow‐dominated alluvial forest. This evidence points to a more open vegetation and a more energetic environment than traditionally described for rivers of this size and age. A link to the 9.3 ka BP cooling event is suggested and possible reasons for the scarcity of records of this type of deposits are discussed.
Taste Transitivity for Collaborative Filtering: A Stochastic Network Dynamics Approach
Authors: Xu Minghong , Bhattacharyya Siddhartha 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACTWe develop a stochastic actor‐based network model for online movie reviews and analyze social network dynamics to study the user‐movie taste networks constructed from real movie review datasets. Examining such taste networks provides useful insights into factors underlying the performance of collaborative filtering‐based recommenders. Our results show that similar taste transitivity effect does exist that support collaborative filtering methods to recommend movies based on user taste similarity. We also investigate the role of movie popularity, genre, user gender, age, and geographic location in the taste network evolution. The findings provide insights to improve current movie recommendation systems. The two‐ mode network analyses approach taken in this article will also be broadly useful in obtaining better understanding of factors that drive user appreciations for varied products.
Baseline characteristics in the VERIFY study: a randomized trial assessing the durability of glycaemic control with early vildagliptin‐metformin combination in newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Matthews D. R. , Paldánius P. M. , Proot P. , Foley J. E. , Stumvoll M. , Del Prato S. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAimTo assess the long‐term clinical benefits of early combination treatment with vildagliptin‐metformin vs. standard‐of‐care, metformin monotherapy in the ongoing VERIFY study.MethodsWe randomized 2001 participants with multi‐ethnic background, aged 18–70 years, having HbA1c levels 48–58 mmol/mol (6.5–7.5%) and BMI 22–40 kg/m2. Baseline data included HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose and homeostasis model β‐cell and insulin sensitivity. Standardized meal‐tests, insulin secretion rate relative to glucose, and oral glucose insulin sensitivity were assessed in a subpopulation.ResultsOut of 4524 screened, data were collected from the 2001 eligible participants (53% women) across Europe (52.4%), Latin America (26.8%), Asia (17.2%), South Africa (3.1%) and Australia (0.5%). The median (interquartile range) disease duration was 3.4 (0.9, 10.2) months; mean (±SD) age 54.3±9.4 years; weight 85.5±17.5 kg and BMI 31.1±4.7 kg/m2. Baseline HbA1c was 52±3 mmol/mol (6.9±0.3%), fasting plasma glucose 7.5±1.5 mmol/l and the median (interquartile range) of fasting insulin was 109 (75–160) mU/l. Homeostasis model β‐cell and insulin sensitivity values were 84% (60, 116) and 46% (31, 68), respectively. In those undertaking meal‐tests, insulin secretion rate relative to glucose was 28±12 pmol/min/m2/mmol/l and oral glucose insulin sensitivity was 353±57 ml/min/m2.ConclusionsOur current, multi‐ethnic, newly diagnosed VERIFY population reflects a characteristic presence of early insulin resistance in participants with increased demand for insulin associated with obesity. The VERIFY study will provide unique evidence in characterizing therapeutic intervention in a diverse population with hyperglycaemia, focusing on durability of early glycaemic control.
Medical health care utilization cost of patients presenting with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures
Authors: Seneviratne Udaya , Low Zhi Mei , Low Zhi Xuen , Hehir Angela , Paramaswaran Sahira , Foong Monica , Ma Henry , Phan Thanh G. 
Published: December 2018

SummaryObjectiveTo investigate the health care utilization cost of patients presenting with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) to a tertiary hospital in Australia.MethodsThis is a retrospective analysis of adult patients with PNES based on video‐electroencephalographic confirmation over a 5‐year period. We used an itemized list to collect detailed health care utilization data. The items included emergency room visits, hospital ward admissions, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, outpatient neurology clinic visits, medical interventions, Code Blue and Medical Emergency Team calls for seizures, medications, and investigations. We calculated the cost of each individual item separately for each individual presentation. To investigate the proportional contribution of each covariate toward the total health care utilization cost, an analysis of the relative importance in the linear regression was performed.ResultsThere were 39 patients, of whom seven (18%) were admitted to the ICU with suspected status epilepticus. The median total health care utilization cost per person until the diagnosis of PNES was established as 26 468 Australian dollars (AUD; 19 207 US dollars [USD]). In the item breakdown, the highest median cost was incurred by investigations (13 119 AUD = 9520 USD), followed by hospital ward management (8890 AUD = 6451 USD), ICU stay (3764 AUD = 2731 USD), outpatient neurology clinics (2200 AUD = 1596 USD), and emergency room visits (570 AUD = 413 USD). Nonepileptic psychogenic status (23%) and the duration of PNES disorder (10%) were the most significant variables contributing to the variance (R2) of the model.SignificanceA considerable burden of health care utilization cost is caused by PNES. The presence of nonepileptic psychogenic status and a longer duration of the condition predict a higher cost.
Path planning of humanoids based on artificial potential field method in unknown environments
Authors: Kumar Priyadarshi Biplab , Rawat Himanshu , Parhi Dayal R. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIn this paper, an artificial potential field based navigational controller has been developed for motion planning of humanoid robots. Here, NAO robots are used as the humanoid platform using the underlying principles of potential field based method. The movement of the robot is considered to be under a negative gradient scheme by the combined effect of attractive and repulsive forces generated due to target and obstacles, respectively. The working of the controller is tested in a V‐REP simulation platform, and the simulation results are validated through a real‐time experimental set‐up developed under laboratory conditions. Here, the navigation of both single and multiple humanoids has been attempted. For avoiding intercollision among multiple humanoids during their navigation in a common platform, a Petri‐Net control scheme has been proposed. The results obtained from both the simulation and experimental platforms are compared against each other with a good agreement between them having minimal percentage of deviations. Finally, the proposed controller is also evaluated against another existing navigational model, and a significant performance improvement has been observed.
Structural integrity assessment of nuclear containment through fracture characterization
Authors: Trivedi Neha , Singh Ram Kumar , Singh Tarvinder 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe paper deals with the study of structural response of partially cracked nuclear containment model structure in over pressurized condition with the simulated experiments conducted under severe accidents analysis program for Indian nuclear containment structures. In this research, the fracture characterization of concrete containment structure is also investigated through the over pressure experiments on the BARC Containment (BARCOM) test model structure, which represents 1:4 scale of the prototype 540 MWe Tarapur pre‐stressed nuclear containment structure. In addition to the surface‐type electrical resistance, strain gauges conventionally and commonly deployed for containment proof‐test and ultimate load capacity evaluation of containment models, embedded vibratory wire strain gauges (VWSGs), the digital image correlation (DIC) technique, and soap bubble tests are employed in this study. For fracture characterization, an optical crack profile (OCP) technique is developed through DIC full‐field experiment conducted at the identified critical locations with conventional strain gauges to evaluate the fracture energy and the characteristics of the fracture process zone of concrete containment model structure subjected to the over‐pressure condition for its performance assessment in the case of the beyond design basis accidents. The combination of conventional sensors and full‐field DIC deployed for the first time on the largest scale containment model along with the associated analysis is shown to be effective in fracture characterization and improved structural integrity assessment of the containment model.
Cost‐effectiveness of professional oral health care in Australian residential aged care facilities
Authors: Münzenmayer Melisa A. , Mariño Rodrigo , Hsueh Arthur 
Published: December 2018

ObjectiveTo conduct a model‐based cost‐effectiveness analysis, from a health care system perspective, of using oral health professionals to provide oral hygiene services at residential aged care facilities (RACFs) in Victoria, Australia, compared to current practice (CP).BackgroundIncreasingly dentate cohorts of older adults are entering RACFs, making urgent the need of further development and provision of oral health programmes in ageing dentitions.Materials and MethodsThe model was based on 47 624 RACFs’ places in Victoria over one year. The main outcome measured was “cost per pneumonia case averted.” Four different scenarios of oral hygiene provision were compared to CP. Costs included were RACF staff training, professional salaries, programme coordinator office expenses, dental equipment and hospitalisation costs. Effectiveness assumptions for each scenario were based on systematic reviews and randomised control trials.ResultsAll four scenarios were dominant strategies. The magnitude of negative incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio was not informative; therefore, incremental costs and incremental effectiveness were used to present results. “Professional oral health care (POHC) provision once every two weeks and current provision of oral health care the other days” was the most cost‐saving alternative (AU $896 per resident saved). The most effective alternative was “POHC provision once a week and non‐POHC provision by trained Nurse aids twice per day the other days” (6779 pneumonia cases averted). One‐way sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of results.ConclusionThe four scenarios were highly cost‐effective compared to CP. These results could be a strong basis to implement new oral health programmes in Australian RACFs.
The effect of SPS parameters on the production of yttria transparent ceramic
Authors: Amirzadeh‐Fotovat Vahid , Hatefi Yousef 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIn this work, the spark plasma sintering (SPS) of commercial yttria nanopowder is investigated. The SPS parameters such as sintering temperature, applied pressure, and dwell time are varied. Densification without grain growth occurring at occurred up to a sintering temperature of 1400°C and grain growth without further densification taking place at the higher temperature. The optimum sample was obtained at a temperature of 1400°C with a pressure of 70 MPa and dwelling time of 15 minutes. The highest relative density of 99.8% and the average grain size of 1.26 μm were obtained at 1400°C. The yttria ceramic annealed at 1200°C had the in‐line transmission of 5%‐70% and 70%‐82% in the visible and infrared wavelength region, respectively. The measurements of hardness and fracture toughness characteristics of the transparent yttria ceramic showed 9.2 GPa and 2.24 MPa.m1/2, respectively.
L'effet d'un programme d'inclusion sur l'absentéisme des travailleurs handicapés: les enseignements d'une quasi‐expérience
Authors: FOLGUERA‐I‐BELLMUNT Conxita , FERNÁNDEZ‐I‐MARÍN Xavier , BATISTA‐FOGUET Joan Manuel 
Published: December 2018

RésuméLes auteurs examinent l'effet d'un programme visant à favoriser l'inclusion des personnes handicapées dans l'emploi sur l'absentéisme pour maladie et accident parmi les bénéficiaires. Après une évaluation qualitative des spécificités du programme, ils procèdent à une quasi‐expérience, en utilisant deux groupes témoins (non équivalent et sans traitement) et des séries chronologiques interrompues (2005–2012). L'analyse repose sur un modèle binomial négatif hiérarchique non imbriqué, avec une variable dépendante retardée. La comparaison entre les trois groupes (personnes handicapées, bénéficiaires ou non, et personnes valides) montre que les absences pour maladie sont sensiblement réduites chez les bénéficiaires. Pour les accidents, le recul est plus faiblement attesté.
Polymorphonuclear myeloid‐derived suppressor cells attenuate allergic airway inflammation by negatively regulating group 2 innate lymphoid cells
Authors: Cao Yingjiao , He Yumei , Wang Xiangyang , Liu Yongdong , Shi Kun , Zheng Zheng , Su Xue , Lei Aihua , He Juan , Zhou Jie 
Published: December 2018

SummaryHyperactivation of the type 2 immune response is the major mechanism of allergic asthma, in which both group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) and type 2 helper T (Th2) cells participate. Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) alleviate asthma by suppressing Th2 cells. However, the potential effects of MDSCs on the biological functions of ILC2s remain largely unknown. Here, we examined the roles of MDSCs (MDSCs) in the modulation of ILC2 function. Our results showed that polymorphonuclear (PMN)‐MDSCs, but not monocytic (M‐) MDSCs, effectively suppressed the cytokine production of ILC2s both in vitro and in vivo, thereby alleviating airway inflammation. Further analyses showed that cyclo‐oxygenase‐1 may mediate the suppressive effects of PMN‐MDSCs on ILC2 responses. Our findings demonstrated that PMN‐MDSCs may serve as a potent therapeutic target for the treatment of ILC2‐driven allergic asthma.
Improving the use of discretion in monetary policy
Authors: Mishkin Frederic S. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThis paper argues that the rules versus discretion debate has been miscast because a central bank does not have to choose only between adopting a policy rule versus pure discretion, both of which have serious shortcomings. Rather, it can choose a constrained discretionary regime that has rule‐like attributes. To make monetary policy discretion more rule‐like, it can be improved by (1) adopting a nominal anchor such as an inflation target, a monetary‐policy strategy that has proved to be very successful in recent years, and (2) communication of a monetary‐policy reaction process, especially through data‐based forward guidance, in which the monetary‐policy authorities describe how the future policy path will change as economic circumstances change.
Synthesis of mesoporous strontium titanate by molten salt assisted template‐free method
Authors: Yu He , Zhao Yicheng , Yan Shicheng , Zhou Peng 
Published: December 2018

AbstractMesoporous SrTiO3 was synthesized via the NaOH/KOH molten salt method. The detailed formation mechanism for the mesoporous SrTiO3 should be obtained to adjust the microstructure, which is an import factor affecting the photocatalytic activity. The detailed mechanism is explored by studying the intermediate phase. It is found that the NaOH/KOH molten salt method for mesoporous SrTiO3 synthesis, using four kinds of TiO2 with different morphologies as precursors, follows the precursor dissolution‐precipitation growth mechanism. The mesoporous SrTiO3 structure originates from the reservation of space for NaOH/KOH. The crystallinity, number of pores, and size of particles are affected by the cleaning temperature, which can thus influence the photocatalytic activity.
Laser ablation behaviors of vacuum plasma sprayed ZrC‐based coatings
Authors: Liu Tao , Niu Yaran , Pan Xiaohui , Shi Minhao , Zheng Xuebin , Yu Jianding , Ding Chuanxian 
Published: December 2018

AbstractZrC, ZrC‐30 vol% SiC, and ZrC‐30 vol% TiC coatings were fabricated by vacuum plasma spray and the laser ablation behaviors were evaluated by a CO2 laser beam under two heat fluxes (15.9 and 25.5 MW/m2). The phase compositions and microstructures of the coatings after ablation were investigated and the effect of SiC and TiC additives was analyzed. The results showed that the ZrC–SiC coating displayed better ablation resistance compared with the ZrC and ZrC–TiC coatings under 15.9 MW/m2 heat flux. While the ZrC–TiC coating exhibited the improved ablation resistance under 25.5 MW/m2 heat flux. The continuous and integral ZrO2–SiO2 scale provided protective effect for the ZrC–SiC coating. A liquid ZrO2–TiO2 layer which owned self‐healing ability was formed for the ZrC–TiC coating in both heat fluxes. However, the state of the formed liquid, like amount, viscosity, evaporation, and decomposition, was influenced by the environment and was vital for the ablation resistance. This work might give a clue for designing ultrahigh‐temperature ceramics as potential laser ablation–resistant coating materials.
A risk score model for predicting intraprocedural cardiac injury during implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation: Insights from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry
Authors: Padala Santosh K. , Gunda Sampath , Li Shelby , Sharma Parikshit S. , Koneru Jayanthi N. , Varosy Paul D. , Ellenbogen Kenneth A. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundIndividual risk factors of intraprocedural cardiac injury (cardiac perforation and tamponade) during implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) placement have been documented. However, the prognostic impact of their coexistence has not been explored.ObjectiveTo develop a risk score model to identify patients at risk for intraprocedural cardiac injury.MethodsWe identified 438 679 patients from National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR)‐ICD who underwent de novo ICD implantation between 2010 and 2015, split randomly into a derivation cohort (n = 220 000) and a validation cohort (n = 218 679). The generalized estimating equations (GEEs) analysis with quasilikelihood under the independence model criterion goodness‐of‐fit statistics were used to identify the predictors of intraprocedural cardiac injury and a risk scoring model was developed. Model discrimination was assessed by receiver‐operator characteristic curve and C‐statistic.ResultsThe risk of intraprocedural cardiac injury in the overall cohort was 0.13%. GEE analysis yielded seven variables (points in parentheses) that were strongly associated with intraprocedural cardiac injury: age, greater than 75 years (1), female gender (1), body mass index, less than 18.5 kg/m
2 (1), hypertension (1), chronic lung disease (1), left bundle branch block (1), and continued warfarin use (1). Only prior history of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) (−1) was associated with reduced risk. A risk scoring system was developed that had good discrimination with a C‐statistic of 0.72. The risk of intraprocedural cardiac injury increased with the increase in risk score from low risk (0.03%) to high risk (1.37%).ConclusionA practical risk score model can stratify patients into high‐ and low‐risk groups for cardiac perforation or tamponade before undergoing ICD implantation.