bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CT‐based Morphometric Analysis of Approach of Percutaneous Transforaminal Endoscopic Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Authors: Zhang Kai‐hui , Zhang Wei‐hao , Xu Bao‐shan , Dong Xiao‐man , Guo Lin , Du Li‐long , Xu Hai‐wei 
Published: March 2019

ObjectivesA radiographic study was designed to measure the relationship of the exiting nerve root and its surroundings to the corresponding intervertebral disc for percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion to better understand the regional anatomy and to improve clinical applications.MethodsA retrospective study from January 2017 to October 2017 was conducted at Tianjin Hospital. CT images were obtained from patients presenting low back pain (110 patients), and analysis was performed bilaterally from L2‐3 to L5S1. In the rotating coronal plane we analyzed: the nerve root–dural sac distance at the superior and inferior margins of the disc (Js, Ji); the nerve root–pedicle distance at the medial, middle, and lateral borders of the pedicle (Pa, Pb, Pc); the pedicle width (W); and the safe working zone, defined as a trapezoid bounded by the inferior pedicle and the exiting nerve root (S). In the transverse plane, the nerve root‐articular process and the shortest distance for the nerve root‐articular process joint surface were analyzed at the superior and inferior margins of the disc (Gs, Gi), respectively. The groups were analyzed using ANOVA, and paired t‐tests were used to compare the left and right sides.ResultsFrom L2‐3 to L5S1, the distance of the nerve root to the dural sac was larger at the inferior margin of the disc. From L2‐3 to L5S1, each segment of the vertebral nerve root‐pedicle distance gradually decreased from medial to lateral. From L2‐3 to L5S1, the distance from the exiting nerve root to the middle and lateral margins of the pedicle gradually decreased, with L5S1 being the minimum. Some significant differences were observed between the left and right sides for L4‐5 and L5S1. The pedicle width of the vertebral body and the mean area for the safe working zone gradually increased from L2‐3 to L5S1. In the axial plane, the shortest distance between the nerve root and articular process joint surface at the inferior margin of the disc was greater than the distance for the nerve root to the articular process at the superior margin of the disc from L2‐3 to L5S1. There were no significant differences between the two sides.ConclusionsIt is more difficult to implant a cage with a width of 10 mm above the L3‐4 level. By removing part of the superior articular process, the safe working area can be expanded, and damage to the nerve or other structures can be avoided when implanting a cage.
Larval but not adult xanthophore pigmentation in zebrafish requires GTP cyclohydrolase 2 (gch2) function
Authors: Lister James A. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAlthough xanthophores are found widely among poikilothermic species, the developmental and biochemical pathways underlying differentiation of these pteridine‐ and carotenoid‐containing cells remain murky. I have identified a recessive zebrafish mutant, camembert (cmm), which displays defective xanthophore pigmentation during embryonic and larval stages with cells appearing grayish rather than yellow, but as an adult appears to have normally pigmented xanthophores and wild‐type stripe pattern. Examination of molecular markers reveals that xanthophores are present in typical numbers and position in cmm embryos; however, the localization of transcripts for the gene GTP cyclohydrolase 2 (gch2), encoding a critical protein in the pteridine biosynthetic pathway, is strikingly altered. RT‐PCR analysis indicates that gch2 transcripts in mutant embryos skip an exon or retain the intron upstream and that no correctly spliced mRNA is made. Sequencing of genomic DNA reveals that the skipped exon is intact, but the retained intron contains a deletion of approximately 180 base pairs, just upstream of the splice acceptor. Microinjection of a gch2 BAC clone rescues yellow pigmentation in camembert larvae, confirming that the pigmentation defect is due to mutation of gch2.
Indication for voiding cystourethrography during first urinary tract infection
Authors: Kobayashi Yoshinori , Mishina Hiroki , Michihata Nobuaki , Miyasaka Mikiko , Takayama John Ichiro 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackgroundThere is confusion surrounding the precise indications for voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) during the assessment of vesicoureteral reflex (VUR) after a first febrile urinary tract infection (UTI). The aim of this study was to determine the combination of clinical, laboratory and ultrasonography factors correlating with grades IV–V VUR in young children with a first febrile UTI.MethodsChildren 0–24 months of age who were brought to the emergency department at National Center for Child Health and Development with the diagnosis of first time febrile UTI between March 2004 and May 2011, were enrolled. We compared clinical, laboratory and ultrasonography findings between children with grades IV–V VUR (high‐grade VUR) and those with no or grades I–III VUR (normal or low‐grade VUR).ResultsA total of 231 patients were eligible and 19 had high‐grade VUR. Poor clinical appearance, presence of a uropathogen other than Escherichia coli, positive blood culture, hydroureter and thickened renal pelvic wall were all independently associated with high‐grade VUR. When one or more of these factors were present, sensitivity, specificity, positive or negative predictive value, and positive or negative likelihood ratio were 94.7%, 69.4%, 23.1%, 99.3%, 3.1 and 0.1, respectively. When none of the factors was present, the proportion of high‐grade VUR was 0.7%; if one factor, 11.3%; two factors, 55.6%; three factors, 85.7%.ConclusionsIn the absence of five specific factors during the first febrile UTI episode in young children, VCUG is not necessary to detect high‐grade VUR. When more than one factor is present, however, VCUG is indicated.
What is quantum information?
Authors: Duwell Armond 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSince the early 90s, philosophers and physicists have been asking the question, “What is quantum information?” In this paper, I will present Shannon and quantum information theories and a minimal interpretation of them which has come to be known as the deflationary view of information. I will present several criticisms that have been leveled at the deflationary view of quantum information and offer responses. This will provide the reader an up‐to‐date view of the debate over the nature of quantum information.
Implant placement in fresh extraction sockets
Authors: Blanco Juan , Carral Cristina , Argibay Olalla , Liñares Antonio 
Published: March 2019

AbstractRecent systematic reviews have shown that the survival rate of immediate implant placement is similar to those with a delayed approach. However, preclinical models and human studies have shown that immediate implant placement per se does not preserve the anatomy of the alveolus, mainly at the buccal bone crest, leading to bony dehiscences and subsequently to soft‐tissue recession, with a great impact on esthetic outcomes. On the other hand, preclinical and human studies have identified factors that may prevent bone resorption after immediate implant placement, such as anatomical/biological (alveolus, gingival biotype, periapical/periodontal pathology) and surgical/restorative ones (implant diameter and positioning, flap/flapless, bone and connective tissue grafts, immediate loading/provisionalization, antibiotics). Taking these factors together and with a critical treatment plan made by an expert professional, the immediate treatment approach could be possible and beneficial for the patient.
Adaptation of the toxic freshwater cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa to salinity is achieved by the selection of spontaneous mutants
Authors: Melero‐Jiménez Ignacio José , Martín‐Clemente Elena , García‐Sánchez María Jesús , Flores‐Moya Antonio , Bañares‐España Elena 
Published: March 2019

SUMMARYThe cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa causes most of the harmful toxic blooms in freshwater ecosystems. Some strains of M. aeruginosa tolerate low‐medium levels of salinity, and because salinization of freshwater aquatic systems is increasing worldwide it is relevant to know what adaptive mechanisms allow tolerance to salinity. The mechanisms involved in the adaptation of M. aeruginosa to salinity (acclimation vs. genetic adaptation) were tested by a fluctuation analysis design, and then the maximum capacity of adaptation to salinity was studied by a ratchet protocol experiment. Whereas a dose of 10 g NaCl L−1 completely inhibited the growth of M. aeruginosa, salinity‐resistant genetic variants, capable of tolerating up to 14 g NaCl L−1, were isolated in the fluctuation analysis experiment. The salinity‐resistant cells arose by spontaneous mutations at a rate of 7.3 × 10−7 mutants per cell division. We observed with the ratchet protocol that three independent culture populations of M. aeruginosa were able to adapt to up to 15.1 g L−1 of NaCl, suggesting that successive mutation‐selection processes can enhance the highest salinity level to which M. aeruginosa cells can initially adapt. We propose that increasing salinity in water reservoirs could lead to the selection of salinity‐resistant mutants of M. aeruginosa.
Optimal Social Insurance with Endogenous Health*
Authors: Laun Tobias 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIn this paper, I analyze optimal insurance against unemployment and disability in a private information economy with endogenous health and search effort. Individuals can reduce the probability of becoming disabled by exerting prevention effort. I show that the optimal sequence of consumption is increasing for a working individual and constant for a disabled individual. During unemployment, decreasing benefits are not necessarily optimal. The prevention constraint implies increasing benefits while the search constraint demands decreasing benefits while being unemployed. However, if individuals respond sufficiently to search incentives, the latter effect dominates the former and the optimal consumption sequence is decreasing during unemployment.
Timing of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) initiation is not associated with stillbirth among HIV‐infected pregnant women in Malawi
Authors: Msukwa Malango T. , Keiser Olivia , Jahn Andreas , van Oosterhout Joep J. , Edmonds Andrew , Phiri Nozgechi , Manjomo Ronald , Davies Mary‐Ann , Estill Janne 
Published: March 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the association between timing of maternal combination ART (cART) initiation and stillbirth among HIV‐infected pregnant women in Malawi's Option B+ programme.MethodsCohort study of HIV‐infected pregnant women delivering singleton live or stillborn babies at ≥28 weeks of gestation using routine data from maternity registers between 1 January 2012 and 30 June 2015. We defined stillbirth as death of a foetus at ≥28 weeks of gestation. We report proportions of stillbirth according to timing of maternal cART initiation (before pregnancy, 1st or 2nd trimester, or 3rd trimester or labour). We used logistic regression, with robust standard errors to account for clustering of women within health facilities, to investigate the association between timing of cART initiation and stillbirth.ResultsOf 10 558 mother–infant pairs abstracted from registers, 8380 (79.4%) met inclusion criteria. The overall rate of stillbirth was 25 per 1000 deliveries (95% confidence interval 22–29). We found no significant association between timing of maternal cART initiation and stillbirth. In multivariable models, older maternal age, male sex of the infant, breech vaginal delivery, delivery at < 34 weeks of gestation and experience of any maternal obstetric complication were associated with higher odds of stillbirth. Deliveries managed by a mission hospital or health centre were associated with lower odds of stillbirth.ConclusionPregnant women's exposure to cART, regardless of time of its initiation, was not associated with increased odds of stillbirth.
Online Analytics Framework of Sensor-Driven Prognosis and Opportunistic Maintenance for Mass Customization
Authors: Xia Tangbin , Fang Xiaolei , Gebraeel Nagi , Xi Lifeng , Pan Ershun 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
In mass customization, a manufacturing line is required to be kept in reliable operation to handle product demand volatility and potential machine degradations. Recent advances in data acquisition and processing allow for effective maintenance scheduling. This paper presents a systematic framework that integrates a sensor-driven prognostic method and an opportunistic maintenance policy. The prognostic method uses degradation signals of each individual machine to predict and update its time-to-failure (TTF) distributions in real time. Then, system-level opportunistic maintenance optimizations are dynamically made according to real-time TTF distributions and variable product orders. The online analytics framework is demonstrated through the case study based on the collected reliability information from a production line of engine crankshaft. The results can effectively prove that the real-time degradation updating and the opportunistic maintenance scheduling can efficiently reduce maintenance cost, avoid system breakdown, and ensure product quality. Furthermore, this framework can be applied not only in an automobile line but also for a broader range of manufacturing lines in mass customization.
Beneficial associations of low and large doses of leisure time physical activity with all-cause, cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality: a national cohort study of 88,140 US adults
Authors: Zhao Min , Veeranki Sreenivas P , Li Shengxu , Steffen Lyn M , Xi Bo 
Published: March 2019

BackgroundEvidence on the role of very low or very high volumes of leisure time physical activity (PA) on the risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality is limited. We aimed to examine the associations of different levels of leisure time PA with the risk of all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer-specific mortality.MethodsData were from 12 waves of the National Health Interview Surveys (1997–2008) linked to the National Death Index records through 31 December 2011. A total of 88 140 eligible participants aged 40–85 years were included.ResultsCompared with inactive individuals, those performing 10–59 min/week of PA had 18% lower risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio (HR): 0.82, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.72–0.95). Those who reported 1–2 times (150–299 min/week) the recommended level of leisure time PA had 31% (HR: 0.69, 95%CI: 0.63–0.75) reduced risk of all-cause mortality. Importantly, the continued benefits were observed among those performing leisure time PA 10 or more times (≥1500 min/week) the recommended minimum level (HR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.45–0.64). For 10–59, 150–299 and ≥1500 min/week of PA, the corresponding HRs (95% CIs) for CVD-specific mortality were 0.88 (0.67–1.17), 0.63 (0.52–0.78) and 0.67 (0.45–0.99), respectively: for cancer-specific mortality were 0.86 (0.66–1.11), 0.76 (0.64–0.89) and 0.53 (0.39–0.73), respectively. In addition, there was a larger reduction in all-cause and cause-specific mortality for vigorous vs. moderate intensity PA.ConclusionsWe found that beneficial association between leisure time PA and mortality starts from a low dose. Doing more vigorous exercise could lead to additional health benefits.
Prenatal and infant exposure to ambient pesticides and autism spectrum disorder in children: population based case-control study
Authors: von Ehrenstein Ondine S , Ling Chenxiao , Cui Xin , Cockburn Myles , Park Andrew S , Yu Fei , Wu Jun , Ritz Beate 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Objective
To examine associations between early developmental exposure to ambient pesticides and autism spectrum disorder.

Design
Population based case-control study.

Setting
California’s main agricultural region, Central Valley, using 1998-2010 birth data from the Office of Vital Statistics.

Population

2961 individuals with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder based on the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
, fourth edition, revised (up to 31 December 2013), including 445 with intellectual disability comorbidity, were identified through records maintained at the California Department of Developmental Services and linked to their birth records. Controls derived from birth records were matched to cases 10:1 by sex and birth year.

Exposure

Data from California state mandated Pesticide Use Reporting were integrated into a geographic information system tool to estimate prenatal and infant exposures to pesticides (measured as pounds of pesticides applied per acre/month within 2000 m from the maternal residence). 11 high use pesticides were selected for examination a priori according to previous evidence of neurodevelopmental toxicity in vivo or in vitro (exposure defined as ever
v
never for each pesticide during specific developmental periods).

Main outcome measure
Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals using multivariable logistic regression were used to assess associations between pesticide exposure and autism spectrum disorder (with or without intellectual disabilities) in offspring, adjusting for confounders.

Results
Risk of autism spectrum disorder was associated with prenatal exposure to glyphosate (odds ratio 1.16, 95% confidence interval 1.06 to 1.27), chlorpyrifos (1.13, 1.05 to 1.23), diazinon (1.11, 1.01 to 1.21), malathion (1.11, 1.01 to 1.22), avermectin (1.12, 1.04 to 1.22), and permethrin (1.10, 1.01 to 1.20). For autism spectrum disorder with intellectual disability, estimated odds ratios were higher (by about 30%) for prenatal exposure to glyphosate (1.33, 1.05 to 1.69), chlorpyrifos (1.27, 1.04 to 1.56), diazinon (1.41, 1.15 to 1.73), permethrin (1.46, 1.20 to 1.78), methyl bromide (1.33, 1.07 to 1.64), and myclobutanil (1.32, 1.09 to 1.60); exposure in the first year of life increased the odds for the disorder with comorbid intellectual disability by up to 50% for some pesticide substances.

Conclusion
Findings suggest that an offspring’s risk of autism spectrum disorder increases following prenatal exposure to ambient pesticides within 2000 m of their mother’s residence during pregnancy, compared with offspring of women from the same agricultural region without such exposure. Infant exposure could further increase risks for autism spectrum disorder with comorbid intellectual disability.
Forty-five good things: a prospective pilot study of the Three Good Things well-being intervention in the USA for healthcare worker emotional exhaustion, depression, work–life balance and happiness
Authors: Sexton J Bryan , Adair Kathryn C 
Published: March 2019

ObjectivesHigh rates of healthcare worker (HCW) burn-out have led many to label it an ‘epidemic’ urgently requiring interventions. This prospective pilot study examined the efficacy, feasibility and evaluation of the ‘Three Good Things’ (3GT) intervention for HCWs, and added burn-out and work–life balance to the set of well-being metrics.Methods228 HCWs participated in a prospective, repeated measures study of a web-based 15-day long 3GT intervention. Assessments were collected at baseline and 1, 6 and 12-month post-intervention. The primary measure of efficacy was a derivative of the emotional exhaustion subscale of the Maslach Burnout Inventory. The secondary measures were validated instruments assessing depression symptoms, subjective happiness, and work–life balance. Paired samples t-tests and Cohen’s d effect sizes for correlated samples were used to examine the efficacy of the intervention.Results3GT participants exhibited significant improvements from baseline in emotional exhaustion, depression symptoms and happiness at 1 month, 6 months and 12 months, and in work–life balance at 1 month and 6 months (effect sizes 0.16–0.52). Exploratory subgroup analyses of participants meeting ‘concerning’ criteria at baseline revealed even larger effects at all assessment points (0.55–1.57). Attrition rates were similar to prior 3GT interventions.Conclusion3GT appears a promising low-cost and brief intervention for improving HCW well-being.Ethics and disseminationThis study is approved by the Institutional Review Board of Duke University Health System (Pro00063703). All participants are required to give their informed consent prior to any study procedure.
Prevalence of care fragmentation among outpatients attending specialist clinics in a regional hospital in Singapore: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Kailasam Manimegalai , Guo Wenjia , Hsann Yin Maw , Yang Kok Soong 
Published: March 2019

ObjectiveTo measure the extent of multispecialty care fragmentation among outpatients receiving specialist care and identify associated risk factors for fragmented care.DesignA retrospective cross-sectional study.SettingSpecialist outpatient clinics (SOCs) in a Singapore regional hospital.ParticipantsA total of 40 333 patients aged 21 and above with at least two SOC visits in the year 2016. Data for 146 792 physician consultation visits were used in the analysis and visits for allied health services and medical procedures were excluded.Outcome measuresThe Fragmentation of Care Index (FCI) was used to measure care fragmentation for specialist outpatients. Log-linear regression with stepwise selection was used to investigate the association between FCI and patient age, gender, race and Most Frequently Visited Specialty (MFVS), controlling for number of different specialities seen.ResultsAbout 36% experienced fragmented care (FCI >0) and their mean FCI was 0.70 (SD=0.20). FCI was found to be positively associated with age (p<0.001). Patients who most frequently visited Haematology, Endocrinology and Anaesthesiology specialities were associated with more fragmented care while those who most frequently visited Medical Oncology, Ophthalmology and Orthopaedics Surgery specialities were associated with less fragmented care.ConclusionMultispecialty care fragmentation was found to be moderately high in the outpatient specialist clinics and was found to be associated with patients’ age and certain medical specialties. With an ageing population and a rising prevalence of multimorbidity, healthcare providers should seek to eliminate unnecessary referrals to reduce the extent of care fragmentation.