bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Asymmetric effects of oil price changes on the balance of trade: Evidence from selected African countries
Authors: Baek Jungho , Kwon Kyoung Doug 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe main new contribution of this study was to delve into the asymmetric impacts of changes in oil prices on the trade balance in the framework of six major African economies. To tackle this topic carefully, we employ three measures of external balances—oil, non‐oil and total trade balances, and assess the asymmetric response of the external balances of those six economies to oil price changes in the short and long run. Like most previous studies, we first assume the impacts of oil price fluctuations to be symmetric and employ the linear autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) method to explore the topic. We then separate oil price hikes from oil price plunges and implement the non‐linear ARDL method to reveal that the price of crude oil has a vital role to play in the trade balances for those six African economies. Further, there is evidence of significant asymmetric impacts of oil prices typically on the oil trade balance of Africa's top oil producing countries. For the non‐oil and total trade balances, in contrast, there is little evidence of the asymmetry of oil price changes.
Evolutionary aspects of cephalic sensory papillae of the Indo‐Pacific species of Eleotris (Teleostei: Eleotridae)
Authors: Mennesson Marion I. , Maeda Ken , Keith Philippe 
Published: July 2019

AbstractEleotris species (Teleostei: Eleotridae) are one of the most common fish in Indo‐Pacific estuaries and insular freshwater streams. In these rivers, they are a sit‐and‐wait predator. They have an amphidromous life cycle, that is adults grow, feed and reproduce in rivers, while larvae have a marine dispersal phase. Larvae recruit back to rivers and settle in stream habitats. Primary characters used to determine Eleotris species are the presence and the disposition of cephalic sensory papillae rows on the operculum and under the eyes as well as scale row numbers. The morphology of these cephalic sensory papillae is of particular importance in this predatory genus as it is generally correlated in fish to predation and feeding. In this paper, we have established a molecular phylogeny of the genus based on the 12 mitochondrial protein‐coding genes to discuss the relationship between Indo‐Pacific Eleotris species. There is a well‐supported dichotomy in the molecular phylogeny, and this separation into two main clades is also morphologically visible, as it reveals a difference in the arrangement of cephalic sensory papillae. Indeed, the phylogeny distinguishes the species with the “open” pattern of the operculum sensory papillae and the species with the “closed” one. This phylogeny thus reflects the morphology of the opercular papillae. The evolution of this character is discussed in terms of the adaptation of the Eleotris genus to life in tropical insular river systems.
A Novel Robust Control of Uncertain Furuta Pendulum Based on a General Lyapunov Function
Authors: Zhang Xinrong , Zhao Ruiying , Ma Jie , Lee Chul-Hee 
Published: July 2019

AbstractA novel robust approach for the obedience control of Furuta pendulum with uncertainty is proposed. The uncertainty considered in this paper is (possibly fast) time-varying and bounded, which may exist in any stage of the pendulum subsystem. By the Lagrangian formulation of the nonlinear pendulum system, a robust control, based on a general Lyapunov function, is designed to render the Furuta pendulum a position obedience. As a consequence of the Lyapunov approach, the control design is not restricted to linearize the pendulum system. The system performance under the proposed control is guaranteed as uniform boundedness and uniform ultimate boundedness. The salient features of this new control are demonstrated both analytically and numerically. The experiment is conducted in the Furuta pendulum system to prove the validity and effectiveness of the control design.
Intracellular Invasion by
Streptococcus pyogenes
: Invasins, Host Receptors, and Relevance to Human Disease
Authors: Wang Beinan , Cleary P. Patrick 
Published: July 2019

ABSTRACT

The human oral-nasal mucosa is the primary reservoir for
Streptococcus pyogenes
infections. Although the most common infection of consequence in temperate climates is pharyngitis, the past 25 years have witnessed a dramatic increase in invasive disease in many regions of the world. Historically,
S. pyogenes
has been associated with sepsis and fulminate systemic infections, but the mechanism by which these streptococci traverse mucosal or epidermal barriers is not understood. The discovery that
S. pyogenes
can be internalized by mammalian epithelial cells at high frequencies (
1
–
3
) and/or open tight junctions to pass between cells (
4
) provides potential explanations for changes in epidemiology and the ability of this species to breach such barriers. In this article, the invasins and pathways that
S. pyogenes
uses to reach the intracellular state are reviewed, and the relationship between intracellular invasion and human disease is discussed.
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
: Diphtheria Toxin, the
tox
Operon, and Its Regulation by Fe2
+
Activation of apo-DtxR
Authors: Parveen Sadiya , Bishai William R. , Murphy John R. 
Published: July 2019

ABSTRACT

Diphtheria is one of the most well studied of all the bacterial infectious diseases. These milestone studies of toxigenic
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
along with its primary virulence determinant, diphtheria toxin, have established the paradigm for the study of other related bacterial protein toxins. This review highlights those studies that have contributed to our current understanding of the structure-function relationships of diphtheria toxin, the molecular mechanism of its entry into the eukaryotic cell cytosol, the regulation of diphtheria
tox
expression by holo-DtxR, and the molecular basis of transition metal ion activation of apo-DtxR itself. These seminal studies have laid the foundation for the protein engineering of diphtheria toxin and the development of highly potent eukaryotic cell-surface receptor-targeted fusion protein toxins for the treatment of human diseases that range from T cell malignancies to steroid-resistant graft-versus-host disease to metastatic melanoma. This deeper scientific understanding of diphtheria toxin and the regulation of its expression have metamorphosed the third-most-potent bacterial toxin known into a life-saving targeted protein therapeutic, thereby at least partially fulfilling Paul Erlich’s concept of a magic bullet—“a chemical that binds to and specifically kills microbes or tumor cells.”
Problems of feeding, sleeping and excessive crying in infancy: a general population study
Authors: Olsen Anne Lise , Ammitzbøll Janni , Olsen Else Marie , Skovgaard Anne Mette 
Published: July 2019

ObjectiveTo study regulatory problems (RPs) of feeding, sleeping and excessive crying in infancy, and explore the influence of maternal mental health problems and parent–child relationship problems.Design and settingData were collected in the general child health surveillance delivered to infant families by community health nurses (CHNs). Information on CHNs’ assessments and conclusions were obtained on 2598 infants and merged with data from national registers. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used to study RPs in early and late infancy, and the influences due to child, family and parent–child relationship problems.ResultsCombined RPs (C-RPs), defined as two or more simultaneous problems of feeding, sleeping or excessive crying, was identified in 2.9% and 8.6% of the population between age 2–6 and 8–11 months, respectively. Low maternal schooling and immigrant parents were associated with an increased risk of late C-RPs, but RPs in early infancy stand out as the main predictor of late C-RPs OR 3.4 (95% CI 1.8 to 6.6), and the effect of early maternal mental health problems and parent–child relationship problems seem to be mediated by early C-RPs.ConclusionsCombined problems of feeding, sleeping or excessive crying may exist throughout infancy independently of exposures to maternal mental health problems and parent–child relationship problems. The results indicate that infants with RPs exceeding age 2 months need special attention, in clinical as well as community settings. Suggested intervention includes specific guidance to the parents to help them understand and regulate their infant’s sensitivity and reactions.
Changes in hospital safety following penalties in the US Hospital Acquired Condition Reduction Program: retrospective cohort study
Authors: Sankaran Roshun , Sukul Devraj , Nuliyalu Ushapoorna , Gulseren Baris , Engler Tedi A , Arntson Emily , Zlotnick Hanna , Dimick Justin B , Ryan Andrew M 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Objective
To evaluate the association between hospital penalization in the US Hospital Acquired Condition Reduction Program (HACRP) and subsequent changes in clinical outcomes.

Design
Regression discontinuity design applied to a retrospective cohort from inpatient Medicare claims.

Setting
3238 acute care hospitals in the United States.

Participants
Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries discharged from acute care hospitals between 23 July 2014 and 30 November 2016 and eligible for at least one targeted hospital acquired condition (n=15 470 334).

Intervention
Hospital receipt of a penalty in the first year of the HACRP.

Main outcome measures
Episode level count of targeted hospital acquired conditions per 1000 episodes, 30 day readmissions, and 30 day mortality.

Results
Of 724 hospitals penalized under the HACRP in fiscal year 2015, 708 were represented in the study. Mean counts of hospital acquired conditions were 2.72 per 1000 episodes for penalized hospitals and 2.06 per 1000 episodes for non-penalized hospitals; 30 day readmissions were 14.4% and 14.0%, respectively, and 30 day mortality was 9.0% for both hospital groups. Penalized hospitals were more likely to be large, teaching institutions, and have a greater share of patients with low socioeconomic status than non-penalized hospitals. HACRP penalties were associated with a non-significant change of −0.16 hospital acquired conditions per 1000 episodes (95% confidence interval −0.53 to 0.20), −0.36 percentage points in 30 day readmission (−1.06 to 0.33), and −0.04 percentage points in 30 day mortality (−0.59 to 0.52). No clear patterns of clinical improvement were observed across hospital characteristics.

Conclusions
Penalization was not associated with significant changes in rates of hospital acquired conditions, 30 day readmission, or 30 day mortality, and does not appear to drive meaningful clinical improvements. By disproportionately penalizing hospitals caring for more disadvantaged patients, the HACRP could exacerbate inequities in care.
Prenatal diagnosis and prevalence of critical congenital heart defects: an international retrospective cohort study
Authors: Bakker Marian K , Bergman Jorieke E H , Krikov Sergey , Amar Emmanuelle , Cocchi Guido , Cragan Janet , de Walle Hermien E K , Gatt Miriam , Groisman Boris , Liu Shiliang , Nembhard Wendy N , Pierini Anna , Rissmann Anke , Chidambarathanu Shanthi , Sipek Jr Antonin , Szabova Elena , Tagliabue Giovanna , Tucker David , Mastroiacovo Pierpaolo , Botto Lorenzo D 
Published: July 2019

ObjectivesTo assess international trends and patterns of prenatal diagnosis of critical congenital heart defects (CCHDs) and their relation to total and live birth CCHD prevalence and mortality.SettingFifteen birth defect surveillance programmes that participate in the International Clearinghouse for Birth Defects Surveillance and Research from 12 countries in Europe, North and South America and Asia.ParticipantsLive births, stillbirths and elective terminations of pregnancy for fetal anomaly diagnosed with 1 of 12 selected CCHD, ascertained by the 15 programmes for delivery years 2000 to 2014.Results18 243 CCHD cases were reported among 8 847 081 births. The median total prevalence was 19.1 per 10 000 births but varied threefold between programmes from 10.1 to 31.0 per 10 000. CCHD were prenatally detected for at least 50% of the cases in one-third of the programmes. However, prenatal detection varied from 13% in Slovak Republic to 87% in some areas in France. Prenatal detection was consistently high for hypoplastic left heart syndrome (64% overall) and was lowest for total anomalous pulmonary venous return (28% overall). Surveillance programmes in countries that do not legally permit terminations of pregnancy tended to have higher live birth prevalence of CCHD. Most programmes showed an increasing trend in prenatally diagnosed CCHD cases.Discussion and conclusionsPrenatal detection already accounts for 50% or more of CCHD detected in many programmes and is increasing. Local policies and access likely account for the wide variability of reported occurrence and prenatal diagnosis. Detection rates are high especially for CCHD that are more easily diagnosed on a standard obstetric four-chamber ultrasound or for fetuses that have extracardiac anomalies. These ongoing trends in prenatal diagnosis, potentially in combination with newborn pulse oximetry, are likely to modify the epidemiology and clinical outcomes of CCHD in the near future.
Independent associations of blood pressure and body mass index with interatrial block: a cross-sectional study in general Chinese population
Authors: Sun Guozhe , Zhou Ying , Ye Ning , Wu Shaojun , Sun Yingxian 
Published: July 2019

ObjectivesThis current study was performed to characterise the independent associations of obesity and hypertension with interatrial block (IAB) after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors, echocardiographic left atrial diameter (LAD) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in a large general Chinese population.DesignA cross-sectional study.Setting and participantsA total of 11 956 permanent residents (≥35 years of age) from Liaoning Province in China were included in this study. Following the completion of a questionnaire, the enrolled participants were subjected to physical examinations, laboratory analyses, ECG and echocardiogram. Linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the associations of hypertension and obesity with IAB.Outcome measuresIAB was defined as a prolongation of the P wave duration ≥120 ms on a digital 12-lead ECG.ResultsThe prevalence of IAB in hypertensive individuals was higher than the normotensive in both men (9.5 vs 5.9%; p<0.001) and women (6.6 vs 3.6%; p<0.001). In addition, the prevalence of IAB exhibited a sharp increase with advancing body mass index (BMI) in both men (from 4.9% to 13.0%) and women (from 3.5% to 6.9%) (ps- for trend <0.001). Multiple relevant clinical covariates, echocardiographic LAD and LVMI were adjusted in the multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses. The results revealed that systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and BMI were all independently associated with P wave duration (β=0.02, 0.09 and 0.25, respectively; all ps <0.005). Furthermore, hypertension was found to be independently associated with IAB (OR=1.27; p=0.018), while both overweight and obesity exhibited higher odds of IAB (OR=1.42 and 1.67, respectively; ps <0.005), compared with BMI <24.0 kg/m2.ConclusionsThe key findings of this study highlighted that hypertension and overweight/obesity were independently and significantly associated with IAB in general Chinese population.
Wearable inertial sensors and pressure MAT detect risk factors associated with ACL graft failure that are not possible with traditional return to sport assessments
Authors: Dan Michael J , Lun Kimberly Kai , Dan Luke , Efird Jimmy , Pelletier Matthew , Broe David , Walsh William R 
Published: July 2019

IntroductionAnterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is associated with poor return to sport and high graft re-rupture rates. This study explored the use of a wearable inertial sensor (ViMove) that incorporates an accelerometer and gyroscope, and MatScan pressure sensing mat (TekScan, South Boston, Massachusetts, USA) to provide objective return-to-sport measures.MethodsThree cohorts’ ACLR patients, non-athletic controls and elite athletes (Australian seven’s rugby Olympic Gold medallist). Patients performed biometric and functional tests (thigh circumference and triple hop) and the ViMove knee module (consisting of single and double leg squats, hops and box drops) for lower limb alignment assessment, concurrently with force plate.ResultsElite athletes had less varus/valgus (VV) movement during ViMove exercises compared with the ACLR cohort, who in turn had less VV malalignment than controls. When analysing side-to-side differences, single leg squats and box drop were asymmetrical in the ACL group, with greater malalignment in the reconstructed leg (p<0.05). Subgroup analysis failed to differentiate who passed or failed current return to sport assessment. TekScan pressure plate detected differences in double leg landing and flight time while hopping not detected with ViMove, suggesting ACL patients compensate by offloading the reconstructed leg to improve coronal alignment during double leg activity.ConclusionThe inertial sensor detected differences in motion for patients following ACLR, which are known to be associated with graft rupture and were not detected with functional return to sport testing. Coupling the device with data from a pressure plate provides a powerful assessment tool detecting alignment differences known to be associate with graft failure only previously detected in formal gait analysis.
Characterising JUUL-related posts on Instagram
Authors: Czaplicki Lauren , Kostygina Ganna , Kim Yoonsang , Perks Siobhan N , Szczypka Glen , Emery Sherry L , Vallone Donna , Hair Elizabeth C 
Published: July 2019

BackgroundJUUL, a high-tech, popular vaping device, was the first major electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) brand to incorporate social media into its marketing strategy. There is growing concern around the increasing use of JUUL and other electronic nicotine delivery devices among youth, and their potential to addict a new generation to nicotine. The current study analysed the amount and characteristics of JUUL-related posts on Instagram, a social media platform used frequently among youth and young adults.MethodsHashtag-based keyword queries (n=50) were used to collect JUUL-related posts from the Instagram application programming interface, March 2018–May 2018. Using a combination of machine learning methods, keyword algorithms and human coding, posts were characterised as featuring content related to product promotion, nicotine and addiction, youth culture and lifestyle.ResultsKeyword queries captured 14 838 JUUL-relevant posts by 5201 unique users. Over one-third of posts were promotional (eg, linked to commercial website) and 11% contained nicotine and addiction-related information. Approximately half of posts featured content related to youth (55%) or lifestyle (57%). Youth-related content or lifestyle appeals were also notably present within promotional posts and nicotine and addiction-related posts, respectively. Nicotine and addiction-related posts featured memes, hashtags (eg, #nichead, #juulbuzz) and tag lines (eg, ‘more flavor, more buzz’).ConclusionsFindings reveal a proliferation of JUUL-related content on Instagram, which focused on product promotion and nicotine and addiction that included youth culture and lifestyle appeals. Regulatory actions should focus on restricting promotional efforts for e-cigarette products, particularly on social media platforms where young people are a primary audience.
Arachidonic acid status negatively associates with forearm bone outcomes and glucose homeostasis in children with an overweight condition or obesity
Authors: Mak Ivy L. , Cohen Tamara R. , Vanstone Catherine A. , Weiler Hope A. 
Published: July 2019

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are implicated in musculoskeletal health in adults. This study examined whether fatty acid status relates to bone health outcomes in children with overweight condition or obesity (body mass index z score, 3.1 ± 0.1; age, 9.0 ± 0.2 years; n = 108). Nondominant forearm bone density (distal one-third), geometry (4% site), and soft tissue composition (66%) were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Red blood cell (RBC) fatty acid profile and indices of glucose homeostasis were measured. Differences in outcomes among RBC arachidonic acid (AA, C20:4n-6) tertiles were tested using mixed-model ANOVA. Ultra-, mid-, and total-distal forearm bone mineral content, adjusted for sex, age, percentage body fat, race, and forearm length, were 10% to 13% greater in children in the first AA tertile relative to the third. Children in the second tertile had the highest bone cross-sectional area and estimated strength at the 66% radius. Muscle cross-sectional area was 15% lower in the third tertile compared with the first, along with higher fasting insulin concentrations (27%) and homeostasis model of assessment estimate of insulin resistance (31%). Higher RBC AA status aligns with deficits in forearm bone mass, geometry, and muscle mass in children with excess adiposity and early signs of insulin resistance. Novelty Higher arachidonic acid status is associated with lower forearm bone mass in children with overweight condition or obesity. Children with higher arachidonic acid status had increased fasting insulin concentrations and indices of insulin resistance.
Pack-year Smoking Associated with Poorer Functional Status, Worsened Spinal Mobility and More Radiological Damages
Authors: Tsang Helen Hoi Lun , Chung Ho Yin 
Published: July 2019

Introduction: To study the dose-response relationship between smoking and axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) disease outcome. Method: One hundred and sixty participants with axSpA were recruited from a single rheumatology center. All of them fulfilled the classification criteria for axSpA by the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS). Clinical, demographic and biochemical data was collected. Participants were asked for detailed smoking histories including past and current smoking, smoking duration and quantity. Radiographs of cervical and lumbar spine were performed for modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS) and modified New York (MNY) criteria for radiological sacroiliitis. Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) was calculated based on C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Univariate and multivariate regression models were performed to determine the associations between pack-year smoking and different disease outcomes. Results: Among the participants, 62 (38.7%) were either current (N [Formula: see text] 39) or former smokers (N [Formula: see text] 23). Ex-smokers quit smoking by 18.8 ± 12.4 years. The mean pack-year for patients who had ever smoked was 19.4 ± 23.1. In univariate analyses, pack-year smoking was associated with BASFI (p <0.001), modified Schober test (p [Formula: see text] 0.01) and mSASSS (p <0.001). Multivariate regression models showed independent dose-response associations between pack-year of smoking and BASFI (SC 0.23; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.06; p [Formula: see text] 0.004), modified Schober test (SC −0.16; 95% CI −0.03 to 0.00; p [Formula: see text] 0.049) and mSASSS (SC 0.22; 95% CI 0.09 to 0.47; p [Formula: see text] 0.01). Conclusion: In Chinese axSpA patients, pack-year smoking was independently associated with poorer functional status, worsened spinal mobility and more radiological damages. Smoking cessation should be encouraged in patients with axSpA.