bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Single‐operator peroral cholangioscope in treating difficult biliary stones: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Jin Zheng , Wei Yaping , Tang Xiaowei , Shen Sisi , Yang Jing , Jin Hangbin , Zhang Xiaofeng 
Published: November 2018

Background and AimCurrent evidence supporting the utility of single‐operator peroral cholangioscope (SOPOC) in the management of difficult bile duct stones is limited. We conducted the present systematic review and meta‐analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SOPOC in treating difficult bile duct stones.MethodsWe searched studies up to April 2018, using MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Quality assessment of the studies was completed with the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale. Main outcomes were complete stone clearance rate, single‐session stone clearance rate, number of endoscopic sessions needed for stone clearance, and adverse events. We calculated the pooled estimates with random‐effects models. Potential publication bias was assessed.ResultsTwenty‐four studies involving 2786 patients met the inclusion criteria. Pooled proportion of patients with complete stone clearance was 94.3% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 90.2–97.5%). Single‐session stone clearance was achieved in 71.1% (95% CI: 62.1–79.5%) of the pooled patients. Pooled number of sessions needed for stone clearance was 1.26 (95% CI: 1.17–1.34%). Pooled adverse event rate was 6.1% (95% CI: 3.8–8.7%). Potential publication bias was detected but had no significant influence on the results.ConclusionsSingle‐operator peroral cholangioscope is an effective and safe treatment for difficult bile duct stones when conventional methods have failed. More randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm the results.
Incomplete integration and contagion of debt distress in economic unions
Authors: Karayalcin Cem , Onder Harun 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThis paper compares different fiscal integration schemes on the basis of their ability to finance public investments and resilience to debt distress and contagion. Complete integration schemes, where a central authority chooses the level of public investments with productivity‐enhancing externalities across different jurisdictions, are shown to be superior to incomplete integration schemes, where member governments choose public investments unilaterally. As a result, equilibrium income is greater for citizens of both member states under a complete integration scheme. Moreover, complete integration schemes are shown to be more resilient to idiosyncratic shocks and more effective in limiting contagion of debt distress. This is mainly because the central authority can credibly borrow more without risking default than member states taken together can and it can “transfer resilience” across them if needed. These findings inform discussions on structural aspects of secular stagnation in Europe by emphasizing a potential challenge in the institutional design of fiscal responsibilities.
He leaps, she beats: The role of social interactions on the overland movements of an Amazonian amphibious killifish
Authors: Espírito‐Santo Helder Mateus Viana , Sodré Jefferson Gomes , Zuanon Jansen 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAmphibious habits are present in a variety of fish and are allowed by a set of physiological, morphological and behavioural adaptations. The most intriguing question, however, is what motivates an aquatic organism to venture into the land? Unfavourable abiotic and biotic conditions in the aquatic environment have been reported as main stimuli for fish to emerge from water. However, few attempts have been made to disentangle the effects of different social contexts on the propensity of amphibious fishes to leave the water. Trying to separate the effects of predator threat, intraspecific competition and mate searching on overland movement of amphibious fish, we ran a mesocosm experiment with the Amazonian killifish Anablepsoides micropus. Overland movement was quantified based on fish leaps between artificial pools set in enclosures in a primary forest area. Males moved overland more frequently than females and their movement depended on the social context, being higher in the presence of predators and lower in the presence of females. Females, instead, showed context‐independent movement rates. This suggests that males move between pools searching for mates, stopping when successful in this search. On the other hand, occasional encounters with predators may force males to abandon the pool as a defence mechanism. Female aggressiveness towards the predator may influence its low movement in the presence of the predator. Such differential responses may play important ecological and evolutionary roles, allowing A. micropus to occupy a wide range of environmental conditions under varied ecological and social contexts.
Colour pattern divergence in reef fish species is rapid and driven by both range overlap and symmetry
Authors: Hemingson Christopher R. , Cowman Peter F. , Hodge Jennifer R. , Bellwood David R. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSignal divergence is an important process underpinning the diversification of lineages. Research has shown that signal divergence is greatest in species pairs that possess high geographic range overlap. However, the influence of range‐size differences within pairs is less understood. We investigated how these factors have shaped signal divergence within brightly coloured coral reef butterflyfishes (genus: Chaetodon). Using a novel digital imaging methodology, we quantified both colouration and pattern using 250 000 sample points on each fish image. Surprisingly, evolutionary age did not affect colour pattern dissimilarity between species pairs, with average differences arising in just 300 000 years. However, the effect of range overlap and range symmetry was significant. Species‐pair colour patterns become more different with increasing overlap, but only when ranges are similar in size. When ranges differ markedly in area, species‐pair colour patterns become more similar with increasing overlap. This suggests that species with small ranges may maintain non‐colour‐based species boundaries.
A mechanistic theory of personality‐dependent movement behaviour based on dynamic energy budgets
Authors: Campos‐Candela Andrea , Palmer Miquel , Balle Salvador , Álvarez Alberto , Alós Josep 
Published: November 2018

AbstractConsistent between‐individual differences in movement are widely recognised across taxa. In addition, foraging plasticity at the within‐individual level suggests a behavioural dependency on the internal energy demand. Because behaviour co‐varies with fast‐slow life history (LH) strategies in an adaptive context, as theoretically predicted by the pace‐of‐life syndrome hypothesis, mass/energy fluxes should link behaviour and its plasticity with physiology at both between‐ and within‐individual levels. However, a mechanistic framework driving these links in a fluctuating ecological context is lacking. Focusing on home range behaviour, we propose a novel behavioural‐bioenergetics theoretical model to address such complexities at the individual level based on energy balance. We propose explicit mechanistic links between behaviour, physiology/metabolism and LH by merging two well‐founded theories, the movement ecology paradigm and the dynamic energetic budget theory. Overall, our behavioural‐bioenergetics model integrates the mechanisms explaining how (1) behavioural between‐ and within‐individual variabilities connect with internal state variable dynamics, (2) physiology and behaviour are explicitly interconnected by mass/energy fluxes, and (3) different LHs may arise from both behavioural and physiological variabilities in a given ecological context. Our novel theoretical model reveals encouraging opportunities for empiricists and theoreticians to delve into the eco‐evolutionary processes that favour or hinder the development of between‐individual differences in behaviour and the evolution of personality‐dependent movement syndromes.
Statistical analysis on rolling contact fatigue in railroad axle bearing steel
Authors: Guo Rubing , Yang Guangxue , Li Zhengyang , Liu Zhiming , Wei Yujie 
Published: November 2018

AbstractHigh‐strength steels are widely used in high‐performance bearings utilized in most mechanical systems. However, there has been little statistical analysis regarding the fatigue failure behaviour of the material, where surface peeling resulted from contact fatigue during rolling is a significant life‐limiting mechanism. In this study, we examine the statistical behaviour of surface‐crack nucleation, propagation, and peeling in a high‐speed train axle bearing made of GCr15 steel by using a laboratory rolling‐contact equipment. We reveal that cyclic rolling‐contact leads to the formation of a hardness gradient in the outer ring of the bearing. The gradient layer is of several millimetres. The peeling rate could be as high as 28 μm per million cycles when the contact pressure is close to that applied in real service. Peeling‐induced cracking is dominantly transgranular. The incipient angle is about 23.2°, and its depth could be hundreds of micrometres. The findings reported here could be employed to assess the lifetime of bearings made of GCr15 steel and possible other engineering metals.
Development of a novel convenient Alzheimer's disease assessment scale, the ABC Dementia Scale, using item response theory
Authors: Umeda‐Kameyama Yumi , Mori Takahiro , Wada‐Isoe Kenji , Kikuchi Takashi , Kojima Shinsuke , Kagimura Tatsuo , Ueki Akinori , Watabe Toshiyuki , Kudoh Chiaki , Akishita Masahiro , Nakamura Yu ,   and ABC dementia scale study group
Published: November 2018

AimThe present study aimed to assess the interrater reliability and construct the validity of a novel, convenient informant‐based Alzheimer's disease assessment scale to prepare its final version.MethodsFor the assessment, site investigators, co‐medicals and, if available, medical staff other than doctors or co‐medicals interviewed study informants to assess individuals using this scale. We then analyzed the interrater reliability and construct validity using factor analysis and item response characteristics.ResultsIn this study, 427 eligible participants were enrolled. We first examined the interrater reliability, and found that the lower limit of the confidence interval of each item was never <0.4 (except for the item “delusion of theft”). After deleting this item, the 14 items of this scale were organized into three domains (activities of daily living, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, and cognitive function) through factor analysis. After discussion of the similarity of two items and their integration into one item, we confirmed that the final version of the 13‐item scale showed almost the same degree of interrater reliability and construct validity as the former version of this scale.ConclusionsThe final version of this novel Alzheimer's disease assessment scale had high interrater reliability and construct validity. We named it the ABC (activities of daily living, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, and cognitive function) Dementia Scale. Further studies on its validation are required. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 18–23.
Cardiovascular disease‐related hospitalization and mortality among persons with von Willebrand disease: A nationwide register study in Sweden
Authors: Holm Elena , Osooli Mehdi , Steen Carlsson Katarina , Berntorp Erik 
Published: November 2018

IntroductionIt has been hypothesized that persons with von Willebrand disease (VWD) may be protected against arterial thrombosis despite having atherosclerosis.AimTo calculate a nationwide estimate of the absolute and comparative burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) hospitalization and mortality among persons with VWD using birthdate and sex‐matched comparisons from the general population in Sweden.MethodsPersons with VWD regardless of the type and severity, diagnosed by a medical doctor, who lived in Sweden for some time during the observation period 1987 through 2008 were included. For each participant with VWD, up to five randomly selected birthdate‐ and sex‐matched persons from general population were selected as controls.ResultsA total of 2790 participants with VWD including 888 male and 1902 female subjects and 13 938 controls were included. Overall, the hazard of CVD‐related hospitalization was 1.3‐fold (95% CI: 1.1, 1.5) among participants with VWD after adjusting for sex, birthdate, diabetes and cancer. However, they had a 0.4‐fold (95% CI: 0.3, 0.6) hazard of CVD‐related mortality compared to general population sample.ConclusionsIn this nationwide, long‐term register study with individually matched controls, we have been able to show that persons with VWD have a higher hospitalization rate due to CVD events. However, the mortality rates appear lower than in the control population. The latter finding is consistent with previous studies and indicates a protective effect of the clotting factor deficiency inherited with VWD.
3D‐printed Franz type diffusion cells
Authors: Sil B. C. , Alvarez M. P. , Zhang Y. , Kung C‐P. , Hossain M. , Iliopoulos F. , Luo L. , Crowther J. M. , Moore D. J. , Hadgraft J. , Lane M. E. , Hilton S. T. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractObjectiveFranz cells are routinely used to measure in vitro skin permeation of actives and must be inert to the permeant under study. The aim of the present work was to develop and manufacture transparent Franz‐type diffusion cells using 3D printing. Printouts were then tested using a range of model active compounds. The study also aims to identify the critical 3D‐printing parameters necessary for the process, including object design, choice of printing resin, printout curing and post‐curing settings and introduction of model coatings.MethodsTransparent Franz cells were constructed using an online computer aided design program and reproduced with different stereolithography 3D printers. The two acrylate‐based resins used for the fabrication process were a commercially available product and a polymer synthesised in‐house. Comparative studies between glass and 3D‐printed Franz cells were conducted with selected model actives: terbinafine hydrochloride (TBF), niacinamide (NIA), diclofenac free acid (DFA) and n‐methyl paraben (MPB). In preliminary studies, MPB showed the lowest recovery when exposed to the receptor compartment of 3D printed cells. Consequently, in vitro permeation studies were carried out using only MPB with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane.ResultsA decrease in the amounts of selected compounds was observed for transparent 3D‐printed Franz cells compared to glass cells. MPB showed the lowest recovery (53.8 ± 13.1%) when compared with NIA (74.9 ± 4.0%), TBF (81.5 ± 12.0%) and DFA (90.2 ± 12.9%) after 72 h. Permeation studies conducted using 3D‐printed transparent cells with PDMS membrane also showed a decrease in MPB recovery of 51.4 ± 3.7% for the commercial resin and 94.4 ± 3.5% for the polymer synthesised in‐house, when compared to glass cells. Although hydrophobic coatings were subsequently applied to the 3D‐printed cells, the same reduction in MPB concentration was observed in the receptor solution.ConclusionTransparent Franz cells were successfully prepared using 3D printing and were observed to be robust and leak‐proof. There are few resins currently available for preparation of transparent materials and incompatibilities between the actives investigated and the 3D‐printed cells were evident. Hydrophobic coatings applied as barriers to the printed materials did not prevent these interactions.
Partitioning of predominant lipophilic bioactives (squalene, α‐tocopherol and β‐sitosterol) during olive oil processing
Authors: Seçmeler Özge , Güçlü Üstündağ Özlem 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe partitioning of predominant lipophilic olive bioactives (squalene, β‐sitosterol and α‐tocopherol) in olive oil processing was studied for the first time using common integrated olive milling plant. 7% of the oil and 5% of the squalene present in the olives was lost in the last pomace. β‐sitosterol and α‐tocopherol, which are mainly concentrated in the seed of the olive fruit, was recovered in virgin olive oil to a lesser extent (66%, 67%) while 10% were lost in last pomace. Thus, the loss of β‐sitosterol and α‐tocopherol was higher than that of squalene and oil, due to nonrecovered bound forms. 19% of the α‐tocopherol and 21% of the β‐sitosterol loss was unaccounted for, which can be attributed to degradation of α‐tocopherol and incomplete recovery of sterols from the olive and pomace matrices. This study provides a basis for process development studies.
Gelatin‐chitosan edible film activated with Boldo extract for improving microbiological and antioxidant stability of sliced Prato cheese
Authors: Bonilla Jeannine , Sobral Paulo J. A. 
Published: November 2018

SummaryThe objective of this study was to produce edible gelatin‐chitosan blended films containing Boldo extract, and then they were applied on sliced Prato cheese. Colour, pH, moisture and fat content parameters and antioxidant and antimicrobial activity were assessed, during storage at 4 °C up to 10 days. The films did not provoke changes in fat content and pH (P < 0.05). Boldo extract incorporation in blended films (GEL50:CH50+ B) enabled significant protection against oxidation when compared with the control sample, and it did not allow psychrotrophic microorganism growth, and a considerably low development of coliforms was shown in sliced Prato cheese samples.
Influence of DOAC Stop on coagulation assays in samples from patients on rivaroxaban or apixaban
Authors: Platton Sean , Hunt Christina 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIntroductionDirect oral anticoagulants (DOACs) require no laboratory monitoring, but they interfere with almost all clotting tests to a varying degree, depending on the DOAC, assay principles and reagents used. DOAC Stop (Haematex Research, Sydney, Australia) has recently been shown to adsorb DOACs from spiked and patient plasmas. The aim of our work was to investigate the DOAC Stop effect on a range of haemostasis assays on plasmas collected from patients on rivaroxaban or apixaban, to see whether it removes the effect of these drugs to enable more accurate interpretation of coagulation assays.MethodsSamples from patients anticoagulated with either rivaroxaban, apixaban or no anticoagulant were tested for prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), DOAC‐specific anti‐Xa assay, factor VIII (one‐stage and chromogenic assay) and DRVVT (low and high phospholipid) before and after sample treatment with DOAC‐Stop.ResultsDOAC Stop significantly removed the effects of rivaroxaban and apixaban on PT, APTT, anti‐Xa activity, factor VIII (one‐stage and chromogenic assays), and DRVVT (low and high phospholipid reagents), and reduced the number of false positive of lupus anticoagulant interpretations in patients on rivaroxaban. There was no effect on the results from patients that were not anticoagulated.ConclusionThis small study suggests that it is likely that DOAC Stop can be used in laboratories to screen for coagulopathy or lupus anticoagulants in samples containing rivaroxaban or apixaban. Care should be taken in the interpretation of results since complete reversal of the anti‐Xa effect did not occur in every sample.
Incidence and predictive factors of hypoglycemia after pheochromocytoma resection
Authors: Araki Saori , Kijima Toshiki , Waseda Yuma , Komai Yoshinobu , Nakanishi Yasukazu , Uehara Sho , Yasuda Yosuke , Yoshida Soichiro , Yokoyama Minato , Ishioka Junichiro , Matsuoka Yoh , Saito Kazutaka , Kihara Kazunori , Nakano Yujiro , Yoshimoto Takanobu , Uchida Tokujiro , Fujii Yasuhisa 
Published: November 2018

ObjectivesTo determine the incidence and preoperative risk factors of post‐excisional hypoglycemia in patients undergoing pheochromocytoma resection.MethodsPatients who underwent surgical resection of pheochromocytoma at a single institution were retrospectively enrolled in the present study. The primary end‐point was the development of post‐excisional hypoglycemia; that is, a serum glucose level <70 mg/dL. The serum levels of immunoreactive insulin and glucose levels during the preoperative oral glucose‐tolerance test and surgery were analyzed to elucidate the mechanism of hypoglycemia.ResultsA total of 49 patients underwent surgical resection of pheochromocytoma, of which 21 patients (43%) developed post‐excisional hypoglycemia. The incidence of hypoglycemia was not statistically different between patients with adrenal tumors and those with extra‐adrenal tumors (18/41 [44%] vs 3/8 [38%], respectively, P = 0.73). There was no difference in the immunoreactive insulin/glucose ratio during the preoperative oral glucose‐tolerance test between patients with and those without post‐excisional hypoglycemia. The intraoperative immunoreactive insulin/glucose ratio was significantly higher in patients with hypoglycemia than in those without hypoglycemia. A higher 24‐h urinary epinephrine level, but not norepinephrine level, was a predictive factor for post‐excisional hypoglycemia.ConclusionsPost‐excisional hypoglycemia is a frequent complication of pheochromocytoma resection, irrespective of the tumor location, and might be common in patients with epinephrine‐predominant tumors. All patients undergoing resection of adrenal and extra‐adrenal pheochromocytoma require intensive monitoring of serum glucose levels during and after surgery.
Skirting the Sketch: An Analysis of Sketch Inhibition within Contemporary Design Higher Education
Authors: Thurlow Lisa , Ford Peter , Hudson Grahame 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSketch inhibition is regularly alluded to by educators within design higher education and one with increasingly marked effects on industry. Over the past thirty years, students have been observed to engage less with the manual processes of design development process in favour of other activities perceived as more attractive, to the detriment of their development as effective designers. This article offers an evaluation of literature which supports the importance of sketching to the design process across a variety of disciplines, its anatomy and functions and demonstrates its role in cognitive support, as a language, a means of reflection, communication and storage of information and the micro‐processes it embodies. Initial findings regarding the symptoms of sketch inhibition are presented: from avoidance of studio sessions and minimal design development, to an overreliance on digital tools. It considers causes, ranging from lacking skill‐sets, psycho‐social, to technological, and although further investigation is recommended to establish depth and enable development of an appropriate pedagogical framework for its management within HE, various methods are offered at this stage for use by educators: these include fine art exercises, a rigorous pursuit of quantity and even paper type.